Backyard Astronomer - Delta College Public Radio
Michigan PR
Mike Murray from the Delta College Planetarium takes a look at what's up in the night sky. Things are happening all the time in the backyard universe, and many of them don't require a telescope to see and enjoy.
Location:
Bay City, MI
Genres:
Science Podcasts
Networks:
Michigan PR
Description:
Mike Murray from the Delta College Planetarium takes a look at what's up in the night sky. Things are happening all the time in the backyard universe, and many of them don't require a telescope to see and enjoy.
Language:
English
Episodes
3/31/25 - Earthshine
3/30/2025
During the week of March 31, the waxing crescent Moon makes its appearance in the west after sunset. When the moon looks like a thin crescent, there's a feature to look for called earthshine.
Duration:00:02:00
3/24/25 - The Little Beehive
3/22/2025
With the moon out of the way, the early evening sky remains dark and full of stars, and that gives us some fine objects to explore with binoculars.
Duration:00:02:00
3/17/25 - The March Equinox
3/15/2025
This year, the March equinox arrives on the 20th which marks the first day of spring for the northern hemisphere.
Duration:00:02:00
3/10/25 - Total Lunar Eclipse
3/8/2025
This month, the full moon on March 14 is also known as the "Sap Moon" because March marks the tapping of the maple trees. It also coincides with a yotal lunar eclipse.
Duration:00:02:00
2/24/25 - The Winter Triangle
3/2/2025
Sirius, Procyon, and Betelgeuse form a giant triangle in the southern sky known as the Winter Triangle. And like Orion’s Belt, it can make for an excellent pointer and guidepost to the winter night sky.
Duration:00:02:00
3/3/25 - Venus & Mercury at Dusk
3/2/2025
Over the last few months, we’ve been treated to the brilliant planet Venus piercing the western sky after sunset. During the first part of March, you’ll have a rare opportunity to watch the elusive planet Mercury join the show!
Duration:00:02:00
2/17/25 - The Great Orion Nebula
2/15/2025
As the moon wanes and rises later each night, the early evening skies are dark again, allowing us to see the Great Orion Nebula.
Duration:00:02:02
2/10/25 - The Crescent Venus
2/10/2025
From now through mid-March, you’ll have an opportunity to see the crescent phase of Venus when viewed through a telescope.
Duration:00:02:00
2/3/25 - The Moon Waxes
2/2/2025
At the beginning of the week of February 3, the moon shows a crescent shape in the southwest after sunset. But each night, the moon will appear to slip a little further back or eastward among the stars.
Duration:00:02:00
1/27/25 - Say Goodbye to Saturn
1/25/2025
The parade of four planets visible across the sky will soon reduce to three as Saturn drops lower in the west each night, fading into the glare of twilight by the end of February.
Duration:00:02:00
1/20/25 - The Face of Taurus
1/19/2025
About two hours after sunset, look high in the east for the brilliant planet Jupiter. A little to the lower right of Jupiter is the orange star Aldebaran, the fiery eye of Taurus the Bull.
Duration:00:02:00
1/13/25 - A Parade of Planets
1/11/2025
During the week of January 13, a magnificent parade of planets will arch across the early evening sky. It's also when Mars comes closest to Earth and will be at its brightest.
Duration:00:02:00
1/6/25 - The Wolf Moon Eats Mars
1/5/2025
The moon grows from its first quarter phase this week, before its reaches full on the 13th. The January full moon is called the "Wolf Moon" because of the increased howling wolves make at this time.
Duration:00:02:00
12/30/24 - The Return of Orion
12/30/2024
One of the best known winter constellations, Orion the Hunter, returns to the evening sky.
Duration:00:02:00
12/23/24 - Birthday of the Sun
12/29/2024
The dating of our holidays have their roots in the solstice traditions of long ago, and that includes the dating of Christmas.
Duration:00:02:00
12/16/24 - The Seven Planet Challenge
12/15/2024
During the second half of December, you’ll have a rare opportunity to spot all the other major planets in our solar system over the course of one night.
Duration:00:02:00
12/9/24 - The Lunar Seas
12/7/2024
As the phase of the moon grows steadily from first quarter to full, it’s a good opportunity to explore the contrasts of light and dark on its surface.
Duration:00:02:00
12/2/24 - Jupiter at Close Approach
12/2/2024
Low in the east, soon after dark, you’ll find a star so bright that it looks like a fiery beacon in the sky. It’s actually the planet Jupiter, and it’s making its closest approach to Earth this week.
Duration:00:02:00
11/25/24 - Buying a Telescope
11/24/2024
The holidays are one of the most popular times of year for buying a telescope. So, what's the best one to look for?
Duration:00:02:00
11/18/24 - Bright Stars in the East
11/19/2024
Two hours after sunset you can’t help but notice several bright stars low in the east and northeast. The brightest one isn’t a star at all, but the planet Jupiter!
Duration:00:02:00