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July 17, 2026Radio: Today’s Episode
Moon and Venus
Red alerts in lunar orbit.
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Dark-Matter Stars
The odd influence of dark matter.
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Stargazing
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 and Companions
The Evening Star and the heart of the lion are close to the crescent Moon in early evening. The lion’s heart, the star Regulus, is almost touching the Moon. Much brighter Venus, the Evening Star, is farther to the upper left of the Moon.
Zubeneschamali
Libra, the balance scales, is in the southwest this evening, to the upper right of the celestial scorpion. Libra’s brightest star represents one of the scorpion’s claws. It is called Zubeneschamali, from an Arabic name meaning “the northern claw.”
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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