Q-90.1's Backyard Astronomer

Spring is the time of year when the Big Dipper climbs higher into the northern sky. But the Big Dipper is not itself a constellation. It’s only part of a much larger group called Ursa Major, the Great Bear. And it makes for an excellent guidepost to the North Star and Little Dipper. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

After more than a year, the planet Venus finally makes its way back into the evening skies, but you’ll have to look low in the west during dusk to see it. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

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. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

No matter the time of year, under a clear dark sky you can expect to see four or five little streaks of light each hour. Sometimes called shooting stars or falling stars, these are meteors that burn up in our atmosphere. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

This year, the March equinox arrives on the 20th which marks the first day of spring for the northern hemisphere. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

It’s often said that the best conditions for stargazing are under dark skies with minimal light pollution. But in this modern age of excessive LED lighting, it can be hard to find such places. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Before Saturn disappears in the sun’s glare altogether, you’ll have a rare chance to see it meet up with the brighter planet Venus, a close pass known as a conjunction.

The March full moon is known as the “Sap Moon” because March marks the tapping of the maple trees. It also coincides with a total lunar eclipse. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Under a clear dark sky, this is the best time of year to look for a lesser known constellation called Lepus the Hare. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

What’s the brightest star in the entire nighttime sky? It’s called Sirius – seriously. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

As the moon wanes and rises later each night, the early evening skies are dark again, allowing us to see the faint deep sky marvels of the winter sky. The Great Orion Nebula is perfectly positioned to view this month. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

As the Gibbous Moon grows larger, you can see new details coming into view as the day-night line progresses across the lunar surface each night. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Betelgeuse, a star in Orion the Hunter, will eventually collapse into a supernova, which would bright enough to see in the daylight for weeks or even months. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

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. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Ushering in the new year is one of the best-known winter constellations, Orion the Hunter. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Soon after dark, look about halfway up the southern sky for a moderately bright star that doesn’t twinkle. This is the planet Saturn, and it’s in the best position for observing through a telescope. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

The week of December 22 offers a perfect opportunity to follow the waxing crescent moon and the emergence of several impact basins. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

Soon after dark, look for a bright yellowish star in the northeast. Capella is the 6th brightest star in the sky and sometimes called The Goat Star. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

One of the best meteor showers of the year is already active and comes to a peak on the evening of December 13 and 14. Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/

The holidays are one of the most popular times of year for buying a telescope. So, what's the best one to look for? Support this podcast: https://www.deltapublicmedia.org/donate/