Mr Max and Chris are back out for an evening walk in the Sun, rejoicing in the nearly once-in-a-lifetime view of the aurorae that much of the world enjoyed last week. We find out what causes the Northern and Southern lights, why last week was quite so good, and what the chances are of a similar show in the near future. We respect the lights, while being very good and Not Barking at things.
There are loads of great aurora pictures in the Sky at Night Flickr group: https://www.flickr.com/groups/bbcskyatnight/?rb=1
Aurorawatch is here: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ and for those in the US there's the NOAA site here: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/aurora-viewline-tonight-and-tomorrow-night-experimental
A reminder that you can buy Chris' book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Accidental-Universe-Discovery-Asteroids/dp/1911709186
(It's out in the US in June, so you'll have to be patient if you're there!)
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12:40
Episode 28: Capella
Mr Max and Chris are back out under surprisingly wintery skies. We check in on our old friend Betelgeuse, follow a new friend for a while with #nobarking, and talk about why you need goats in your chariot, why one star is really four, and what to spot with binoculars.
You can read more about Capella here: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/star-capella
And buy Chris' book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Accidental-Universe-Discovery-Asteroids/dp/1911709186
(It's out in the US in June, so you'll have to be patient if you're there!)
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7:25
Episode 27: Radio
On a cloudy damp evening in Oxford, Chris and Mr Max are braving the weather. Max is keen on a jam jar, while Chris tells us the story of world’s greatest radio astronomer, Grote Reber. Missiles and parrots also feature.
The story is included in Chris’s new book, ‘Our Accidental Universe’, out in March and available from Amazon (https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Our-Accidental-Universe-by-Chris-Lintott/9781911709183) or wherever you buy your books. (Unless you’re in the US, in which case your version, ‘Accidental Astronomy’ will be out in June)
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8:01
Episode 26: Gemini
On a clear February night, Mr Max is heading for home after visiting Bread Corner. Meanwhile, Chris picks on his least favourite constellation, Gemini. The twins take a prominent place in the winter sky, but we find out why it disappoints Chris, how it harbours a strange, pulsing mystery, and why it's the place to keep an eye out for planets.
There's a guide to Gemini from Sky at Night magazine here: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/constellation-gemini
Geminga is visible in all its blobby glory in this image from ESA: https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/ESA_is_hot_on_the_trail_of_Geminga
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6:18
Episode 25: Orion Nebula
This episode is dedicated to a winter wonder, the Orion Nebula. Learn about Chris' favourite object as we hear how conditions in this nearby stellar nursery may have given us a clue to the start of life on Earth while Mr Max explores a new set of streets in search of pizza.
Amazing image of the nebula from Hubble here: https://hubblesite.org/contents/media/images/2006/01/1826-Image.html
But I also really love Will Gater's sketch of the nebula: https://www.willgaterastrophotography.com/sketches/e63vefwte0w2z754kbq2mmqo40yrgw
Join Chris Lintott and Mr Max on their evening exploration of the night sky (Chris) and the discarded pizza boxes of Oxford (Max). Indulge in lazy astronomy: the art of being impressed simply by looking up. The podcast is your five minute guide to what to look for in our changing night sky and the stories of what's found there, as you wander with or without your own four-legged friend. Remember: No barking!
Descriptions of the sky suitable for anywhere in the northern hemisphere.
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