Star Trails

• Cosmic Rebels & Celestial Farewells

  This week we say goodbye to Comet SWAN as it disintegrates on its first — and last — visit to the inner solar system. With a New Moon offering ideal stargazing conditions, we turn our attention to the Summer Triangle, Venus and Saturn’s pre-dawn pairing, and Mars dances near the Beehive Cluster.

  In the second half, we spotlight the galaxy’s rebellious loners: runaway stars. From the aftermath of supernovas to gravitational billiards near black holes, discover how some stars break free and speed through space at hundreds of kilometers per second. We’ll explore how they’re formed, how we find them, and why stars like HV 2112 and Zeta Ophiuchi continue to baffle and amaze astronomers.

  Link mentioned: Sky & Telescope's Jupiter's Moons utility

  For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

  Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Dawn Patrol: Planets, Meteors, and a Wandering Comet

  Not every week is packed with drama in the skies, but that doesn’t mean it’s empty! This short episode covers the best of what is happening: the Lyrids peaking, a rare comet making an appearance, and a graceful planetary alignment to catch before sunrise.

  For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

  Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Crows, Cosmic Collisions, and the Coming Lyrids

  This week is a period of shifting moonlight, planetary pairings, and hidden wonders – oh, and there’s a new comet on its way around the sun, now visible in binoculars in the morning sky!

  We spotlight two underrated constellations: Corvus, the mythic crow tangled in Apollo’s wrath, and Canes Venatici, the quiet hunting dogs guarding a treasure trove of galaxies.

  Plus, we gear up for the Lyrids meteor shower, Earth’s oldest recorded celestial light show. Discover what to look for, when to watch, and how to make the most of your spring stargazing session.

  For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

  Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Sky Serpents and Space Legends

  This week we journey through a sky filled with symbolism, science, and stories. April’s Full “Pink Moon” makes its appearance — this time as a micromoon, smaller and subtler than a supermoon, yet just as rich in seasonal lore. In the early morning hours, Venus, Saturn, and Mercury gather in a rare planetary trio low on the eastern horizon.

  As night falls, the great celestial serpent Hydra winds its way across the southern sky. We’ll discuss how to spot this sprawling constellation and explore its mythological roots, from the labors of Hercules to the lonely glow of Alphard, its brightest star.

  Then, we turn our gaze to a different kind of trailblazer: Yuri Gagarin. On the anniversary of his historic 1961 flight, we remember the first human to orbit the Earth—and the legacy of wonder and possibility he left behind.

  For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

  Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.

• Galaxy Season: A Deep Sky Adventure

  In this episode, we’re kicking off Galaxy Season, that magical stretch of springtime nights when the Northern Hemisphere gets some of the clearest views of deep-sky galaxies. From Bode’s Galaxy and the Cigar Galaxy in Ursa Major to the stunning Whirlpool Galaxy and the elusive Needle Galaxy, we’ll explore some of the best targets for backyard stargazers.

  We’ll also talk about why galaxies are so captivating for astrophotographers and how long-exposure photography can reveal breathtaking details and colors our eyes can’t see.

  Plus, we’ll check in with the planets and the Moon, including some gorgeous conjunctions happening this week.

  Plan your Messier Marathon: Messier Objects: A Complete Guide

  For more episodes and resources for backyard astronomers, visit www.startrails.show. Share the wonder of the stars with friends and continue your cosmic journey with us. Also, connect with us on Mastodon @star_trails, or on Bluesky @startrails.bsky.social.

  If you're enjoying the show, consider sharing it with a friend! Want to help? Buy us a coffee!

  Podcasting is better with RSS.com! If you're planning to start your own podcast, use ourRSS.com affiliate link for a discount, and to help support Star Trails.