The Backyard Astronomer Podcast

Let's get Edgy!  This month we are talking about orbital collisions andsideways planets, and how they change the way we view the Solar System.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains www.Manzanita-Insurance.com www.ManzanitaAccounting.com

Once in 396 billion years!  Or click-bait?  Let's talk planetary alignments - SYZYGY!   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains www.Manzanita-Insurance.com www.ManzanitaAccounting.com

If we can only see 6 stars in the Pleiades, then why do so many ancient cultures reference the number 7 in relation to this star cluster?  Let's dig deeper into the 7 Sisters, 7 Boys, and all sorts of maids, brothers and princesses in this month's Backyard Astronomer Podcast.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains www.Manzanita-Insurance.com www.ManzanitaAccounting.com  

NASA, ISS, UFOs and UAPs - what is up with all the acronyms?  Let's talk about rockets, satellites, and some of the acronyms commonly used in the space industry. Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains www.manzanita-insurance.com www.manzanitaaccounting.com  

Sometimes constellations can be hard to imagine, but a simple asterism can guide you to all sorts of celestial wonders.  Let's talk about the Great Square of Pegasus!   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains   #asterism #constellations #space #astronomy #STEM #STEMEducation 

Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan- ATLAS is hurtling through the inner solar system, gracing the Northern Hemisphere's early evening skies of mid-October.  Where do comets like this come from and where is it headed?  Why have we never seen it before, and why  is it moving opposite most comets?  Find the answers to these questions and more in this month's episode and article of the Backyard Astronomer Podcast.     Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ   Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro   Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro   Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains  or visit  www.manzanitainsuranceandaccounting.com  

Saturn has long been known as a planet, but the discovery of its rings and moons spans hundreds of years.  Join the great astronomers of yesteryear as we learn about The Ringed Planet at opposition this month.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

Our new segment for kids of all ages, and what better topic to start with than ALIENS!     Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

"The sky is falling!" exclaimed Chicken Little!  Is it a meteorite, or a piece of the International Space Station?  Let's find out! Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

T Coronae Borealis or "The Blaze Star" has been documented for centuries with a recurrent period of about 78 years between brightening as a nova. What does that mean?  Listen in this month as we talk about how the ancients began documenting stellar phenomena thousands of years ago, and how that information plays an integral role in our understanding of the universe today.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains    

The Sombrero Galaxy is your backyard target this month.  Look for this edge-on galaxy yhroughout the spring. #astronomy #galaxy #telescope #constellations #science #STEM Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains    

Our Sun has spots? Sunspots, solar flares, and even CMEs are the highlights of this month's focus on the Sun and Solar Cycle.  Learn more about Coronal Mass Ejections and how they impact Earth. #CME #coronalmassejection #solarflare #solarcycle #sun #astronomy #eclipse Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

The Spring Equinox and waxing gibbous moon will lead you to a hive of activity this month! Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

The Monoceros constellation and Rosette Nebula shine bright this month!   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

Our celestial neighbors waltz across the sky this month.  Let's talk about Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation, Saturn's rings, and Jupiter's Great Red Spot.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

The Geminids meteor shower make a fantastic appearance this December, but why are they different than other meteor showers?  Tune in to learn all about meteor showers and the Geminids! Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/manzanitains

The Orion Nebula was the first deep sky target of astrophotography in 1880 and we now know it hosts unique planets not (yet) seen any where else in space!  Check it out! Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

In October an Annnular Eclipse will be visible to millions across the Western United States.  Learn the difference between a total and annualr eclipse, why they happen, and more in this month's episode. Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Let's explore the Milky Way!  Star Clusters and Nebulae abound in this month's podcast. Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

I organized a group of amateur and professional astronomers, educators and students, and business leaders from around the Prescott, AZ area, which group won the IAU's NameExoWorlds2022 competition with their designations of Awohali and Noquisi in the Cherokee language for the exoplanet and its host star formerly known as Gliese 436/b.  Listen in for more on this amazing event and check out www.backyardastroaz.com for more.

Scorpions and Rabbits dance in the sky this month. Learn the when/where/why of these constellations at https://backyardastronomeraz.wordpress.com/ and facebook.com/backyardastroaz   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Two planets join the Beehive Cluster in June, while two others are born from it.  Learn more in this month's episode! Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Spring has sprung, and brings with it the emerging flora and fauna of the night sky.  Check out constellations, clusters, galaxies and more in this month's episode. Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ   Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro   Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Taurus the Bull hosts the planet Mars this month, as well as many other star clusters and nebulae.  Check it out this month! Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ https://www.facebook.com/NAZAstro Support local STEM education! https://www.patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors! https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains  

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is making its close approach to Earth tonight, so bust out your binoculars or telescope and look to the sky! Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ   https://www.facebook.com/NAZAstro   Support local STEM education! https://www.patreon.com/NAZAstro   Our awesome sponsors! https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains https://www.facebook.com/spotlightonprescott

Comet C/2022 E3(ZTF) has dominated the news recently, but today an even closer object will fly by Earth at just 2200 miles.  Asteroid 2023BU was discovered on 1/21/2023 by a Backyard Astronomer in Crimea. #amateurastronomy #citizenscience #comet #asteroid #space #astronomy #telescope

On 5 Dec. 2022, scientists for the first time successfully produced a fusion reaction with more energy generated than that put in.  This month we talk about the Big Bang, the birth of stars, and why fusion matters. Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Constellations have tales of striking similarity, despite the cultures that named them being displaced by thousands of years and thousands of miles.  The indigenous people across North America were no exception, and many still continue to provide a rich history.  Learn more about Native American cultures - including astronomy - at the Museum of Indigenous People at 147 N Arizona Ave. in Prescott, Arizona. www.museumofindigenouspeople.org   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Manuel Lucero and Joshua Ballze from the Museum of Indigenous People join me this month to talk about their work - in and out of the museum - to bring awareness to Native American cultures, history, art, language, and even indigenous astronomy, culminating in the presentation of names for the IAUs ExoWorlds 2022 competition. Visit the Museum of Indigenous People at 147 N. Arizona Ave in Prescott, Arizona, or online at www.museumofindigenouspeople.org Explore the Jurassic Paleo Art Expo at www.facebook.com/JurassicPaleoExpo or www.instagram.com/jurassic_paleoart_expo_jpx    Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains    

How long does it take to communicate across space, and who might be listening?  GJ 436b may be listing from 33 light years distant, but their planet needs a new name!  Follow the Backyard Astronomer, NAZ Astro, the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium, and the Museum of Indigenous People as we come together for a project like no other.   https://www.museumofindigenouspeople.org/ https://prescott.erau.edu/about/planetarium   Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ https://www.facebook.com/NAZAstro Support local STEM education! https://www.patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors! https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains https://www.facebook.com/spotlightonprescott    

Born in 1943 West Virginia, Homer Hickam, Jr. was a barely a teenager when the Soviet space program launched Sputnik 1, and subsequently launched Homer into a lifelong relationship with space.  The 1999 movie "October Sky" is roughly based on his memoir, but we had the opportunity to sit down with Homer to learn the real stories behind the Big Creek Missile Agency of Coalwood, WV, and the amazing career afforded by the passions of one boy. Visit www.HomerHickam.com to learn more about Homer, purchase his books, or support the causes he supports.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

October 4th, 1957 ushered in the Space Age with the successful launch and orbit of Sputnik 1.   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission of STEM education at facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education patreon.com/NAZAstro Our awesome sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

A special interview with SR-71 pilot Pat Bledsoe.  Re-edited Audio. Follow facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM patreon.com/NAZAstro facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

A special interview with SR-71 pilot Pat Bledsoe. Follow facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM patreon.com/NAZAstro facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

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Let's talk Saturn! Follow us facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM patreon.com/NAZAstro facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains    

Comet C/2017 K2 (PanSTARRS) is visiting on July 14th. Check out this special Birthday edition episode dedicated to my amazingly supportive wife. Follow me @ facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Our Awesome Sponsors: facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

Boötes and Arcturus facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM patreon.com/NAZAstro Our sponsors facebook.com/prescottrockstars facebook.com/manzanitains

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Let's talk sunspots! www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ www.facebook.com/NAZAstro Support STEM education www.patreon.com/NAZAstro www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars www.facebook.com/manzanitains

Learn about atmospheric pressure, the ISS, and how to spot it from your backyard! Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ https://www.facebook.com/NAZAstro https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains

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Telesopes! Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Support local STEM education! https://www.patreon.com/NAZAstro https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains  

New Near Earth Objects and Comets are nearly daily discoveries, learn about how it happens here! https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ https://www.facebook.com/NAZAstro https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains

More than 20 countries, 30 years, 9$.7BIL... The James Webb Space Telescope launches this Saturday, Christmas day 2021.  Check it out!

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This month we talk about the Subaru Cluster www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ www.facebook.com/NAZAstro www.patreon.com/NAZAstro www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars www.facebook.com/manzanitains

Eric Edelman Director of the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium at ERAU Prescott https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ https://www.facebook.com/NAZAstro https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains

This month we talk about the Triangulum Galaxy, the smaller neighbor of the Milky Way and Andromeda. Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ https://www.facebook.com/prescottrockstars https://www.facebook.com/manzanitains  

This month we sit down and talk with Robert Ward, the leading explorer and recovery scientist of meteorites.  http://robertwardmeteorites.com/  https://meteoritical.org/ https://www.facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ      

This month we talk about Andromeda, our nearest neighbor galaxy and a great target for fall viewing sessions.  The New Moon is on October 6th so get out and find Andromeda!