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Artwork for Star Trails: From Backyard Astronomy to Cosmic Wonder

Star Trails: From Backyard Astronomy to Cosmic Wonder

Single Malt Sky
Saturn
Mars
Jupiter
Venus
Milky Way
Mercury
Stars
Orion
Astronomy
Andromeda Galaxy
Betelgeuse
Orion Nebula
Pleiades
Black Holes
Uranus
Neptune
Galaxies
Lunar Eclipse
Dark Matter
James Webb Space Telescope

Star Trails is a weekly astronomy podcast that begins in your backyard and expands outward to the edge of the universe.

Each episode features a guide to the night sky visible across North America — constellations, planets, moon phases, and celestial events — along with deeper explorations of the science, history, and perspective that make astronomy one of humanity’s greatest adventures.

From anci... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes116Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AstronomyLeisureHobbiesScience

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Artwork for Star Trails: From Backyard Astronomy to Cosmic Wonder

Latest Episodes

Summer is almost here, and with it comes one of the richest observing seasons of the year.

In this episode, we take a road trip through the summer sky, exploring the constellations, deep-sky objects, planets, meteor showers, and celestial events tha... more

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Back in November of 2024, I attended a star party hosted by the Midlands Astronomy Club and recorded what became one of my favorite episodes of Star Trails. This week, while taking a short break to recharge and prepare future episodes, I thought it w... more

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This week we conclude our month-long journey through galaxies by exploring one of the biggest questions in astronomy: how galaxies are born, evolve, and eventually die.

We begin in the aftermath of the Big Bang, tracing how tiny fluctuations in matt... more

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This week we continue our month-long journey through the world of galaxies, but this time, we venture into one of astronomy’s darkest frontiers. Beyond the glowing spirals and brilliant star clouds lies a universe filled with hidden structures, invis... more

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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Actual Astronomy Podcast
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Sky Tour Astronomy Podcast
Sky Tour Astronomy PodcastAmerican Astronomical Society
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion

Recent Guests

Paul Romanizen
Observation chairman of the Midlands Astronomy Club
Midlands Astronomy Club
Episode: From the Archive: Star Party Stories
Mike Roberts
Club president
Midlands Astronomy Club
Episode: From the Archive: Star Party Stories
Hap Griffin
Original member who helped build an observatory at the site
Midlands Astronomy Club
Episode: From the Archive: Star Party Stories
Wes Munn
Past club president
Midlands Astronomy Club
Episode: From the Archive: Star Party Stories
Enrique López Rodríguez
Extragalactic astronomer at the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
Episode: The Invisible Architecture of the Universe, with Dr. Enrique Lopez Rodriguez
Martin Bowers
Director of Melton Memorial Observatory
Melton Memorial Observatory, University of South Carolina
Episode: Photon by Photon: A Journey Through Observatories
Clyde Tombaugh
Astronomer, discoverer of Pluto (archive interview)
Lowell Observatory
Episode: The Case of Pluto: Discovery, Demotion, and Redemption
Stephen Colbert
TV host referenced in the episode
The Colbert Report/ CBS
Episode: The Case of Pluto: Discovery, Demotion, and Redemption
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist who explained the planetary status change
American Museum of Natural History / Tyson Enterprises
Episode: The Case of Pluto: Discovery, Demotion, and Redemption

Host

Drew
Host of Star Trails: A Weekly Astronomy Podcast; frequent solo episodes and guest interviews; guides to night-sky watching and broad space-science discussions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Invisible Architecture of the Universe, with Dr. Enrique Lopez Rodriguez
Q: Tell me a little bit about yourself. How did you get into astronomy?
I'm from the Canary Islands, grew up with excellent skies, and ended up in Florida through an exchange that led me to a PhD; I focused on galaxy evolution and later on the magnetic fields that thread through galaxies, which has become my central research focus.
The Invisible Architecture of the Universe, with Dr. Enrique Lopez Rodriguez
Q: Enrique, thanks for taking the time to speak with me today, and welcome to the show.
Well, thank you for having me.
Photon by Photon: A Journey Through Observatories
Q: So this observatory has been around for nearly a century. What's the story behind how it was built?
The director explains that Dr. Melton championed a proper observatory to replace a moveable telescope setup, convinced Edwin Seibels to fund the project, and that the building dedication honored Dr. Melton after his passing; the resulting Melton Memorial Observatory was completed around 1928 and remains a community focal point for education and outreach.
Echoes from the Cosmic Graveyard
Q: Is this really what a black hole looks like?
The striking image of a black hole resembles a glowing lopsided ring around a dark center, which is an accurate visualization rooted in physics.
Meteors, Mars, and a Betelgeuse Breakthrough
Q: What is significant about Betelgeuse's recent discovery?
Researchers have identified a companion star orbiting Betelgeuse, which may explain its long-term brightness variations and shows that Betelgeuse is part of a binary system.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently mixes accessible night-sky guidance with deep dives into astronomy, space history, and the people shaping our understanding of the cosmos. Episodes range from tours of the Solar System's moons and the outer planets to narratives about Pluto's demotion, the lifecycle of stars, and the dynamics of time and observation. A notable strength is pairing practical stargazing tips with broad explorations of science, culture, and exploration history, often weaving in mission milestones and current research to contextualize everyday skywatching. From audience-friendly “how to observe” segments to ambitious discussions of planetary definitions, the show tends to attract curious, craft-minded listeners who value both hands-on lear... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Actual Astronomy Podcast
2. Sky Tour Astronomy Podcast
3. Universe Today Podcast
4. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 116 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Paul Romanizen
2. Mike Roberts
3. Hap Griffin
4. Wes Munn
5. Enrique López Rodríguez
6. Martin Bowers
7. Clyde Tombaugh
8. Stephen Colbert

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