Hot Lake
A giant lake of molten rock forms a dark horseshoe on the surface of Io, one of the big moons of Jupiter, in this view from the Galileo spacecraft. Io is the most volcanically active body in the solar system. [NASA/JPL]
Stargazing Summary
April kicks off with the first of two total lunar eclipses that are visible from North America this year, then continues with some especially close encounters between the Moon and several stars and planets. The rest of the months rapidly warming nights offer a panoply of bright stars, from Aldebaran, which is vanishing in the western evening sky, to Regulus and Spica, which are climbing higher into the eastern evening sky.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Radio Program Highlights
If you want to start hearing the StarDate program in your area, you can request a station to carry our program by emailing the request to stations@stardate.org.
April 1-5: Eclipse Legacy. There’s a total lunar eclipse this week. It’s the latest in a cycle of eclipses that began in 1492, and will continue for another seven centuries. Join us for eclipses across the centuries and more.
April 6-12: Stardust. The space between the stars isn’t quite empty — it’s filled with wisps of gas and dust known as the interstellar medium. Join us for the stuff between the stars, plus the changing rings of Saturn and much more.
April 13-19: Space Rocks. Lots of rocks from space strike Earth’s atmosphere every day. Most of them burn up, but a few survive their fiery plunge and hit the surface. Join us for details on these rocks from beyond, plus much more.
April 20-26: Silver Anniversary. One of NASA’s best-known spacecraft celebrates its 25th anniversary this week, and we’ll have details on its launch, its early problems, and its accomplishments. Join us for 25 years of Hubble Space Telescope and more.
April 27-30: Sunny Skies. With spring hitting its stride and the hot days of summer looming, we’ll talk about the source of all that warmth: the Sun. We’ll explain how the Sun generates energy, how it’s destined to get a lot brighter, and much more.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 330 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
April 1-5: Eclipse Legacy. There’s a total lunar eclipse this week. It’s the latest in a cycle of eclipses that began in 1492, and will continue for another seven centuries. Join us for eclipses across the centuries and more.
April 6-12: Stardust. The space between the stars isn’t quite empty — it’s filled with wisps of gas and dust known as the interstellar medium. Join us for the stuff between the stars, plus the changing rings of Saturn and much more.
April 13-19: Space Rocks. Lots of rocks from space strike Earth’s atmosphere every day. Most of them burn up, but a few survive their fiery plunge and hit the surface. Join us for details on these rocks from beyond, plus much more.
April 20-26: Silver Anniversary. One of NASA’s best-known spacecraft celebrates its 25th anniversary this week, and we’ll have details on its launch, its early problems, and its accomplishments. Join us for 25 years of Hubble Space Telescope and more.April 27-30: Sunny Skies. With spring hitting its stride and the hot days of summer looming, we’ll talk about the source of all that warmth: the Sun. We’ll explain how the Sun generates energy, how it’s destined to get a lot brighter, and much more.
Program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 330 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
Coming up in StarDate Magazine
Our Summer Reading Issue is coming your way in May. Well recommend new books in astronomy and space science, and bring you feature-length excerpts from some of our favorites. And of course, well bring you tips to start your summer stargazing.
Subscribe today
Subscribe today
News from the Observatory
UT Nobel Winner Releases Book on History of Science
University of Texas at Austin astronomy and physics professor Steven Weinberg has released a new book called To Explain the World: The Discovery of Modern Science. Catch the reviews from National Geographic, the Washington Post, and others. Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1979.
University of Texas at Austin astronomy and physics professor Steven Weinberg has released a new book called To Explain the World: The Discovery of Modern Science. Catch the reviews from National Geographic, the Washington Post, and others. Weinberg won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1979.
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About SkyTips
SkyTips is a monthly email newsletter for visitors to McDonald Observatory and StarDate Online. Each issue features stargazing highlights, upcoming StarDate radio program descriptions, and other news. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends and family.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
SkyTips is a publication of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory Education and Outreach Office, 2609 University Ave. A2100, Austin, TX 78712. Reproduction of SkyTips content is permitted with proper credit given to McDonald Observatory.
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