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July 19, 2026Radio: Today’s Episode
Brilliant Nova
Heating up the tail of the swan.
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Nova Watch
A “new” jewel for the northern crown.
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Stargazing
Sagitta
Sagitta, the arrow, slices through the Milky Way. It is one of the smallest of the 88 constellations. As darkness falls this evening, look for it in the east, between Deneb and Altair, two of the stars of the Summer Triangle.
Nova Watch
T Coronae Borealis has been flaring up every 80 years. The last outburst was in 1946, so it’s due for the next one. Corona Borealis is a semicircle of stars high in the southwest at nightfall. T Coronae is close to the top left end of the semicircle.
Moon and Venus
The crescent Moon is in the west as darkness falls. The brilliant planet Venus, the Evening Star, is close to the right. Venus outshines every other planet and star in the night sky.
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).
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Stardate Magazine
Current Issue: JULY/AUGUST 2026
From Canals to Poppy Seeds and Leopard Spots
by Damond Benningfield
Twin Viking landers touched down on Mars 50 years ago, and one of their experiments found evidence of life, which was quickly discounted. But the debate continues, and we’ll review the Viking findings along with other claims of possible life on the Red Planet. We’ll also tell you how planetariums are adapting to the ages of the Internet and social media.
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