Home Contact | About | Friends of McDonald | Sign up for Sky Tips
McDonald Observatory McDonald Observatory
A production of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory
StargazingResourcesRadioMagazineTeachersGift ShopMedia Center
Radio's Guide to the Universe
StarDate celebrated its 10,000th broadcast on February 15, 2006. The program debuted in 1978, making it the longest-running national radio science feature in the country. It airs on more than 360 radio stations in the United States.

StarDate tells listeners what to look for in the night sky, and explains the science, history, and skylore behind these objects. It also keeps listeners up to date on the latest research findings and space missions. And it offers tidbits on astronomy in the arts and popular culture, providing ways for people with many diverse interests to keep up with the universe.

StarDate is a production of The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, which also produces the Spanish-language Universo radio program and Universo Online web site and the bi-monthly StarDate magazine.

Today's Program & July Preview
Loud Jupiter   » General information about StarDate and astronomy

July 1-5: A loud planet. The planet Jupiter is a little louder than usual right now -- in part because the Sun is a little quieter. We'll have details on the noisy goings-on right here in our own solar system.

July 6-12: Speeding up. Earth is speeding around the center of the galaxy a little faster than astronomers had thought, and we'll tell you why. And we'll also tell you why it's hard to make a good map of the galaxy.

July 13-19: Journeys. Two important journeys got underway 40 years ago this week. One helped prepare for life aboard a space station. The other went to the Moon. Join us for these journeys of exploration, plus much more.

July 20-26: A grand adventure. The first astronauts landed on the Moon 40 years ago this week. We'll recall their adventure, and tell you what we've learned from all the Moon missions. Join us for the flight of Apollo 11 and a whole lot more.

July 27-31: The scorpion. Scorpius is one of the easiest constellations to pick out, and it's also one of the most interesting. Join us for some giant stars, a giant family of stars, and an encounter between the Moon and the scorpion's heart.

  Support StarDate
Make a tax-deductible donation to StarDate today! Get a free 2008 Sky Almanac with a donation of $35.
Learn more
Find an Affiliate
Sandy Wood

Voice of StarDate, Sandy Wood
    Most Popular Programs
Program Schedules   Andromeda Galaxy - October 8, 2007
Moon in Libra - June 15, 2008
Aquarian Planet - October 22, 2007
Moon and Planets - March 16, 2008
Draco - September 19, 2008
Moon, Mars, and Gemini - May 10, 2008
Standard Candles - October 17, 2007
Crab Nebula - August 28, 2008
Orion’s Last Call - April 20, 2008
Winter Circle - February 1, 2008
 
Write for StarDate
 
PDF iconRadio Program Writer's Guidelines
(66K pdf -- free Adobe Acrobat software is required to view the document.)
 

Copyright ©1995-2006 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory. Material on this site may be linked to, quoted or reproduced for educational or personal purposes without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given. Teachers, scout leaders, and others may distribute the material for classroom instruction or related educational purposes. The materials may not be sold or published in any other form without written permission from The University of Texas McDonald Observatory.