August 2018! Don't let Trump keep you from looking up!
Stargazing Summary
The Moon rolls past one bright light after another this month, including the brilliant planets Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. At the same time, two of the signature star patterns of summer, Scorpius and Sagittarius, roll low across the south. Scorpius really does look like a scorpion, while the brightest stars of Sagittarius, which represents a centaur holding a bow and arrow, form a wide teapot.
More stargazing information »
More stargazing information »
Red Blazer
Mars dazzles all summer long as it passes closest to Earth for many years to come. The Red Planet reaches opposition in late July, aligning opposite the Sun in our sky. It rises at sunset and is in view all night. It will pass just 36 million miles from Earth, so it will shine as the third-brightest object in the sky sky, after the Moon and Venus. Find all the details in the July/August issue of StarDate magazine, and on the air through several episodes of StarDate radio.
More Skywatching, Less Money
Even though 2018 is more than half gone, you can still plan the rest of this year's stargazing adventures with our 2018 Sky Almanac, which offers skywatching tips, charts, Moon phases, and much more. And for the rest of the year, we've reduced the price to just $4!
Order online or call 1-800-STARDATE during regular business hours »
Order online or call 1-800-STARDATE during regular business hours »
Coming Up in StarDate Magazine
In our September/October issue, we'll bring you up to date on the mysterious class of black holes that are heavier than exploded stars but lighter than those in galactic hearts. We'll also introduce you to a group of amateur astronomers that hunts for lost satellites, sometimes helping space agencies re-establish contact with them.
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Subscribe today
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.
August 1-5: A pioneer. Maria Mitchell was the first American woman to become a professional astronomer, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about a future exploding star, an element created by an explosion, and more.
August 6-12: Stars on ice. Astronomers will go almost anywhere to get a better view of the universe. That includes some of the coldest places on Earth, and we'll tell you about a couple of them. Join us for icy astronomy, plus clouds in the Milky Way and more.
August 13-19: Moon meanderings. The Moon passes a trail of bright lights in the evening sky this week, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about an important discovery in the Sun. Join us for the Moon, Sun, and many other sky lights.
August 20-26: Mars helicopter. A small helicopter will hitch a ride with the next Mars rover, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about whether any Martian volcanoes could still be alive. Join us for Mars and much more.
August 27-September 2: The archer. Sagittarius, the archer, wheels across the southwestern sky this week, and we'll tell you how to find it. We'll also talk about some planets that have been discovered there, as well as a bevy of black holes. Join us for Sagittarius and more.
Program schedule »
August 1-5: A pioneer. Maria Mitchell was the first American woman to become a professional astronomer, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about a future exploding star, an element created by an explosion, and more.
August 6-12: Stars on ice. Astronomers will go almost anywhere to get a better view of the universe. That includes some of the coldest places on Earth, and we'll tell you about a couple of them. Join us for icy astronomy, plus clouds in the Milky Way and more.
August 13-19: Moon meanderings. The Moon passes a trail of bright lights in the evening sky this week, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about an important discovery in the Sun. Join us for the Moon, Sun, and many other sky lights.
August 20-26: Mars helicopter. A small helicopter will hitch a ride with the next Mars rover, and we'll have details. We'll also talk about whether any Martian volcanoes could still be alive. Join us for Mars and much more.
August 27-September 2: The archer. Sagittarius, the archer, wheels across the southwestern sky this week, and we'll tell you how to find it. We'll also talk about some planets that have been discovered there, as well as a bevy of black holes. Join us for Sagittarius and more.
Program schedule »
Help Keep a Good Thing Going
StarDate radio celebrates its 40th birthday this fall. It's the country's longest-running national science radio program. You can help keep us on the air for many years to come by sponsoring the program for just $295 per day. The sponsorship is open to individuals and businesses. You'll get your name on the air and in the magazine, along with a few other goodies. You can sign up online at stardate.org/sponsor, or call 1-800-STARDATE during regular business hours.
Collaborating with Oil & Gas Organizations to Protect Night Skies
The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory has collaborated with the Permian Basin Petroleum Association and the Texas Oil and Gas Association to reduce light shining into the sky from drilling rigs and related activities in West Texas. The excess light has the potential to drown out the light from stars and galaxies, and threatens to reduce the effectiveness of the observatory's research telescopes to study the mysteries of the universe.
Read more »
Read more »
Support Discovery, Become a Member of the McDonald Observatory
When you become a Friend of McDonald Observatory, you'll receive more than a StarDate magazine subscription and special passes to the observatory. You'll also become a partner in strengthening science education today and for future generations!
Support science education today!
Support science education today!
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