StarDate is radio’s longest-running nationally aired science program. It began in 1977 as a daily telephone message service by McDonald Observatory. It was picked up by Austin radio station KLBJ-FM, and aired as “Have You Seen the Stars Tonight” beginning in June 1977. With a grant from the National Science Foundation the program became “Star Date,” and began airing nationally, seven days per week, on October 1, 1978. More »
▶StarDate Radio: October 20 — G Stars
Under a dark sky, far from city lights, the eye alone can see thousands of stars. They come in a...More »
★Stargazing: October 20
Under a dark sky, far from city lights, the eye can see thousands of stars, yet only a few are...More »
▶StarDate Radio: October 19 — Orionid Meteors
A meteor shower will be at its best this weekend. The Moon makes a pest of itself, though, especially on...More »
★Stargazing: October 19
The Orionid meteor shower will be at its best this weekend. The Moon makes a pest of itself, though, especially...More »
▶StarDate Radio: October 18 — Losing Weight
Planet Earth turns on its axis like a spinning gyroscope — one turn every 23 hours and 56 minutes. And...More »
★Stargazing: October 18
The planet Mars stands to the right of the Moon at nightfall. Although it has lost a good bit of...More »
▶StarDate Radio: October 17 — Moon and Mars
The seasons are changing on Mars. Today is the first full day of winter in the planet’s northern hemisphere. The...More »
★Stargazing: October 17
Look for the planet Mars to the left of the Moon as darkness falls this evening. It looks like a...More »
★Stargazing: October 16
A space rock the size of a building will buzz near Earth tomorrow, although there is no risk of it...More »
▶StarDate Radio: October 16 — Close Visitor
A space rock the size of a building will buzz near Earth tomorrow. There’s no risk of it hitting us....More »
★Stargazing: October 15
Auriga, the charioteer, climbs into view in the northeast by about 9 p.m. It’s marked by yellow-orange Capella, one of...More »
▶StarDate Radio: October 15 — Collision Zones
Planetary systems can be dangerous. Like race cars zipping around a track, planets can ram into each other. That can...More »
Current Magazine
Our November/December issue brings you a holiday treat: Nick D'Alto returns with a feature on how — and when! — cultures around the world celebrate the new year based on different heavenly markers. And editor Rebecca Johnson will bring you up to speed on New Horizons' upcoming post-Pluto encounter with another distant world.
2018 Sky Almanac
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! Order online or call 1-800-STARDATE during regular business hours.
