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April 23, 2024

Radio: Today’s Episode

Immanuel Kant
April 23, 2024
Swirling up a planetary system

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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode

Moon and Spica
April 22, 2024
A constellation with a busy background

StarDate
Moon and Spica

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Stargazing

April 23, 2024
Full Moon
The Moon is full at 6:49 p.m. CDT as it lines up opposite the Sun in our sky. Among other names, the full Moon of April is known as the Egg Moon, Grass Moon, or Pink Moon
April 22, 2024
Moon and Spica
Spica, the brightest star of Virgo, stands just a whisker away from the full Moon tonight. They are low in the southeast as twilight fades, separated by about half a degree, which is less than the width of a pencil held at arm’s length.
April 21, 2024
Looking Up
Several bright stars and star patterns stand high in the sky this evening. Regulus, the brightest star of Leo, is in the south. Pollux and Castor, the twins of Gemini, are about the same height in the west. And the Big Dipper hangs upside-down in the northeast.

Launch Stargazing Tips

Moon Phases

At the new Moon phase, the Moon is so close to the Sun in the sky that none of the side facing Earth is illuminated (position 1 in illustration). In other words, the Moon is between Earth and Sun. At first quarter, the half-lit Moon is highest in the sky at sunset, then sets about six hours later (3). At full Moon, the Moon is behind Earth in space with respect to the Sun. As the Sun sets, the Moon rises with the side that faces Earth fully exposed to sunlight (5).

Launch Current Moon Phase

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Stardate Magazine

Current Issue: MaY/JUNE 2024

The Return of IGRINS

by Emily Howard

This issue highlights the return of an instrument that studies the infrared universe, and after a decade, it’s about to come home to the McDonald Observatory in Texas. We’ll also have all the latest astronomy news, a comprehensive two-month stargazing guide for the months of May and June, detailed skycharts, and answers to your astronomy questions from our science guru Merlin.