Astro Minute

What Was the Christmas Star?

Lauren Smyth — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 14:37:42 -0500

What was the star that led the wise men to Jesus? Find out more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Galaxies & Our Own Andromeda

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:28:47 -0500

Only one galaxy is visible from the northern hemisphere to the naked eye. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star FINALE: Black Holes

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How does a star become a black hole? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Supernovae Remnants, Neutron Stars, and Pulsars

Lauren Smyth — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What happens to a high-mass star in its old age? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Supernovae

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How does a star become a supernova? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Red Supergiants

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How does a star become a red supergiant? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Type 1A Supernovae

Lauren Smyth — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What is a type 1A supernova? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Novae

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How do stars become novae? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: White Dwarfs and Planetary Nebulae

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How do stars become white dwarves and planetary nebulae? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Red Giants

Lauren Smyth — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

How does a star become a red giant? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: Middle Age - The Main Sequence

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What happens to a star in its "main sequence"? Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Life of a Star: The Birth of a Star - Stellar Nurseries

Lauren Smyth — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:27:08 -0400

How are stars born? Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

SPECIAL EPISODE: Go Outside and Look Up

Lauren Smyth — Sun, 04 May 2025 19:26:00 -0400

Go outside and look up with today's special episode of Astro Minute.

Globular Clusters

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 11:44:27 -0400

Learn how to spot these distant, dazzling objects in today's episode of Astro Minute!

REBOOT - The Double Cluster

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:01:13 -0400

Look up at any point during the year and discover the Double Cluster, first observed by a Greek astronomer over one hundred years before the birth of Christ.

Lyrid Meteor Shower

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:03:36 -0400

Get ready for this nighttime shower on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Exploring Orion

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:43:29 -0400

The constellation Orion is home to many interesting celestial objects. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Update on T Coronae Borealis

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:03:48 -0400

A heavenly explosion is slated for the coming months. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Beehive Cluster

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 13:10:47 -0400

The vernal equinox brings spring ... and the beautiful Beehive Cluster! Learn how to find it on today's episode of Astro Minute.

Coming to Skies Near You: Total Lunar Eclipse

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:27:09 -0500

On March 13th, North American viewers will be treated to a total lunar eclipse. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Northern Spring Constellations

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:18:11 -0500

Learn what's up in the night sky on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Planet Parade

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:11:56 -0500

All seven planets will be visible in this month's night sky. Learn how to spot them in today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Morning "Star"

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:53:18 -0500

The morning "star" is no star at all. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Queen Cassiopeia

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 13:23:13 -0500

Meet the queen of the night sky on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Red Planet

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:36:00 -0500

Mars shines extra brightly in the winter night sky. Learn to spot it in today's episode of Astro Minute!

What Was the Christmas Star?

Lauren Smyth — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 02:00:00 -0500

Learn more about the Christmas Star that guided the wise men on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Highlights of the December Skies

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 14:35:08 -0500

What's up this Christmas season? Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Earth's Favorite Moon

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 14:28:34 -0500

What's new in moon research this year? Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Andromeda, Reboot

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:16:58 -0500

Few objects located outside the Milky Way Galaxy can be seen with the unaided eye--but the Andromeda Galaxy is an exception. Learn how to spot it on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Pleiades and Hyades

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 13:20:08 -0500

Discovered in antiquity, these open star clusters are still visible to the unaided eye. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Solar Max

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 13:45:47 -0400

Get ready to see the aurora, in today's episode of Astro Minute!

Planet Parade

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:19:14 -0400

All seven planets are visible in the sky during the next three months. Learn how to spot them on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Early Bird Special

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:01:08 -0400

If you're up early this month, you can spot a giant asterism and two planets. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Cats & Comet A3

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 13:56:44 -0400

Search the night skies this October for a long-tailed treat. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

October Meteor Showers

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:02:15 -0400

Look to the sky this October to see some fiery ice in Earth's upper atmosphere.

The Summer Triangle, Reboot

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:07:41 -0400

Learn to spot this celestial guidepost in today's episode of Astro Minute!

SPECIAL EPISODE: Interview with Dr. Hugh Ross, Reasons to Believe

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 05:00:00 -0400

Tune in today for a faith and science-filled interview from Dr. Hugh Ross, astrophysicist and founder of Reasons to Believe.

The Majesty of Saturn

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:47:40 -0400

Moonlets and rings--including invisible rings. These are just a few of Saturn's mysteries. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

A Cosmic Explosion

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:01:13 -0400

Coming soon to skies near you: A once-in-a-lifetime stellar event. Learn where to spot it on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Supermassive Black Hole

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 14:23:25 -0400

At the center of our galaxy lies an invisible black hole. Be careful, don't fall in!

The Beehive Cluster

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:42:07 -0400

This bustling hive of stars took hundreds of years to discover--and is still just as magnificent today!

A Stargazer's Guide to the Galaxy, Part I

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:41:21 -0400

Here are some of the tools you'll need to find your way around the night sky.

A Solar Rarity - April Eclipse Part II

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 15:15:42 -0400

The number-one rule for eclipse viewing: Don't look at it. Learn safe eclipse viewing techniques on today's episode of Astro Minute.

A Solar Rarity - April Eclipse Part 1

Lauren Smyth — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:32:12 -0400

Learn about what you'll see during the upcoming solar eclipse, and remember to practice safe viewing techniques.

The Mystery of the Sun's Corona

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:52:49 -0500

This year's total solar eclipse will offer a nearly unparalleled opportunity to observe the sun's mysterious atmosphere. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Spring's Coming in Like a Lion

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 14:52:58 -0500

Learn how to spot spring's harbinger, Leo the Lion, in this week's night sky!

The Heavenly G

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:12:57 -0500

This asterism forms a map of the winter constellations. Learn how to find it in today's episode of Astro Minute!

Why Are Stars Different Colors?

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:48:05 -0500

Why are stars different colors? And why aren't all stars different colors (at least, apparently?) Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Double Cluster

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:47:23 -0500

Look up at any point during the year and discover the Double Cluster, first observed by a Greek astronomer over one hundred years before the birth of Christ.

This Year, You Might See the Northern Lights

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 20:22:10 -0500

Even if you live at lower latitudes, you might get a chance to see the Northern Lights this summer as the sun enters its stormy season. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

The Eye of the Bull

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 15:01:47 -0500

The eye of Taurus the Bull is a red giant called Aldebaran. Tune in to learn how to find this magnificent red gem!

A Sense of Direction

Lauren Smyth — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

If you're like me and have no built-in compass, here's how you can find your way - just by looking up at the night sky.

The Big Dipper

Lauren Smyth — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Chances are, you've heard of this asterism before. But do you know how to find it? Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

What Was the Christmas Star?

Lauren Smyth — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 15:33:58 -0500

We've all heard of the Christmas star, but astronomers are still perplexed about what exactly happened in the night sky before Jesus's birth. Hear some of the possibilities on today's episode of Astro Minute!

A Big Pile of Starry Glitter

Lauren Smyth — Sun, 10 Dec 2023 15:13:28 -0500

See that big pile of starry glitter in the sky? Let's find out what's inside!

Saturn, The Bejeweled Giant

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 13:39:40 -0500

Saturn is a billion miles away - but you can still see it without binoculars. Look up to learn more!

November Meteor Showers

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 14:29:46 -0500

Take advantage of November's clear nights and head outside for a stellar light show!

The King of the Planets

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 13:59:20 -0400

Today we're visiting the king of the planets - Jupiter, surrounded by a royal court of asteroids, rings, and moons. Learn more on today's episode of Astro Minute!

A Tail of Ice and Fire

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:07:19 -0400

Make some popcorn, grab a red flashlight, and get ready to enjoy an upcoming cosmic fireworks show!

(Almost) The Brightest Star

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 15:10:44 -0400

Let's go giant hunting! Follow the arc of the Big Dipper, and you'll see another Arc(turus) that has the honor of being the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. Find out more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

How Far Can You See? - Try Andromeda

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:14:48 -0400

Most of what we can see with the unaided eye from Earth is stars inside the Milky Way Galaxy. But there's one thing you can spot that's much further away. Find out what it is, and how to find it, on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Where Stars Are Born, Part 2

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:44:44 -0400

Today we're hunting for the Hunter's nebula. Plan your next night of stargazing with today's episode of Astro Minute!

Where Stars Are Born, Part 1

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:35:11 -0400

Stellar nurseries are nothing like the calm and quiet nurseries where we Earthlings keep our babies. See for yourself on today's episode of Astro Minute!

What's in the Center of the Galaxy?

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:33:56 -0400

What will you see when you look toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy? Find out on today's episode of Astro Minute!

Welcome to the Astro Minute - Let's Find the Summer Triangle

Lauren Smyth — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:33:20 -0400

Welcome to the first episode of Astro Minute, where we're exploring the universe sixty seconds at a time - starting with the Summer Triangle!