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July 12, 2026Radio: Today’s Episode
Galactic Radio
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Radio: Yesterday’s Episode
Spanning the Galaxy
The full span of the Milky Way.
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Stargazing
Delphinus
Tiny Delphinus, the dolphin, is in the east at nightfall. Its brightest stars really do outline the shape of a dolphin. Sualocin is the brightest star in the pattern, and represents the dolphin’s back.
Spanning the Galaxy
The center of the Milky Way Galaxy is in good view as night falls. It’s in the constellation Sagittarius, whose most prominent stars form the outline of a teapot. The center of the galaxy is immersed in puffs of “steam” that appear to rise from the teapot.
Moon, Mars, Aldebaran
The Moon and the planet Mars line up with the star Aldebaran in tomorrow’s dawn sky. Mars looks like a bright star to the lower right of the Moon. Aldebaran is even brighter, about the same distance to the lower right of Mars.
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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Star Teachers
Stars and Galaxies
Galaxies contain billions of stars. Do galaxies collide? Do the stars within them collide?