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Night Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist120- 7 Surprising Urban Astrotourism ExperiencesThink you need to escape the city to connect with the cosmos? Think again! In this week's episode, I reveal seven unexpected ways to experience the night sky and astronomy while visiting urban destinations across North America.From touching billion-year-old meteorites to standing underneath a space shuttle that left our atmosphere and returned, these urban astrotourism experiences prove that cosmic wonders are hiding in plain sight—even in our most light-polluted cities.Whether you're planning a family vacation or business trip, discover how to add some celestial magic to your next urban adventure!
2025-04-0116 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist112- Winter Solstice 2024Winter Solstice has been a significant time of year across cultures for thousands of year. In this episode, we check out some little-known archaeoastronomy sites across the United States that have alignments with the Winter Solstice, chat with Tacy Quinn and Lauren Theis about their 15 Weeks of Friluftsliv for some tips for getting the most enjoyment out of our winter stargazing experiences, and take a tour across the winter night sky to identify constellations and planets that you can see with the naked eye. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/112 for more information about this episode.
2024-12-1751 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist100- Celebrating Our 100th Episode!This episode is a celebration of reaching our 100-episode milestone. My husband, Mark Derksen, interviewed me, and some of our past guests and fans of the podcast shared some special messages. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/100 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 100: Dirk’s Electric: https://dirkselectric.com/ Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association: https://fhdarksky.com/  International Dark Sky Discovery Center: https://darkskycenter.org/  US Route 89: https://usroute89.com/  Episode 28- Returning Darkness to the Night...
2024-07-0228 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist99- Nocturnalia with Charles HoodWhat is nocturnalia? I chat with Charles Hood, who coined the word as a celebration of the night, about how to diminish our fear of the dark, how to pique your curiosity about nature around you, and how to take your stargazing experience to a new level of sensory awareness. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/99 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 99: Nocturnalia: Nature in the Western Night by Charles Hood & José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca: https://rb.gy/5iw1us  Women Who Explore: https://www.wom...
2024-06-1845 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist98- Ojibwe Star Culture with Carl GawboyCarl Gawboy shares his Ojibwe star culture, growing up Ojibwe in northern Minnesota, and his remarkable pictograph discoveries at Hegman Lake. These pictographs depict Ojibwe constellations, and Carl shares how the stories he heard from his father as a child helped him crack the code. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/98 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 98: Native Skywatchers project: https://nativeskywatchers.com/  Ojibwe Sky Star Map Constellation Guidebook: An Introduction to Ojibwe Star Knowledge: https://shorturl.at/EHo7U  Ta...
2024-06-0437 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist97- Roadtripping to Starry Skies with Steven HilemanNational Road Trip Day is just around the corner, and Steven Hileman chats with me about the powerful app called Roadtrippers. He shares some great tips for planning a road trip to those extraordinary dark sky locations and finding those hidden gems along the way. He also offers a discount code for listeners to enjoy the Premium version of the app. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/97 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 97: Roadtrippers.com: Use the discount code NIGHTSKY24, good through May 31, 2025.
2024-05-2132 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist90- Human Cosmos: Civilization & the Stars with Jo MarchantJo Marchant is the author of Human Cosmos: Civilization and the Stars, a spectacular book about humanity’s relationship with the night sky for thousands of years. Her writing explores the nature of humanity and our universe, from the mind-body connection to the mysteries of past civilizations and the awesome power of the night sky. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/90 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 90: Jo Marchant: https://jomarchant.com/  Fountain Hills Dark Sky Festival: https://fhdarksky.com/  Epis...
2024-02-2032 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist89- Taurus, the Bull of HeavenTaurus is straight up overhead in February, and it’s full of fun little surprises. There are also some great cultural star stories related to it that I share in this episode. Get ready for some fun stargazing and storytelling. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/89 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 89: “7 Tips for Stargazing with Grandparents”, a Night Sky Tourist blog article: https://nightskytourist.com/stargazing-with-grandparents/  Episode 87- Meet the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters: https://nightskytourist.com/87/  Fountain Hills Dark Sky...
2024-02-1317 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist88- The Science Embedded in Mythological Star StoriesWe often equate myths with fiction. I’m going to introduce you to a new perspective by showing you how scientific knowledge was often embedded in ancient star stories. Star stories were more than just children’s fables to entertain the family around the campfire at night.  Visit NightSkyTourist.com/88 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 88: Full Moon Fitness Walk, February 24, 2024: https://nightskytourist.com/events/  International Dark Sky Discovery Center: https://darkskycenter.org/  Episode 87- Meet the Pleiade...
2024-02-0718 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist87- Meet the Pleiades, the Seven SistersIn this episode, I introduce you to a really important but tiny group of stars in the Winter sky called the Pleiades. Many people mistake it as the Little Dipper, but it’s actually a really cool star cluster that has a lot of significance for cultures all around the world. You’ll get to hear several cultural stories of this little group. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/87 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 87: “Lunar vs. Solar Calendars”, a Night Sky Tourist blog article: https://nightskytourist.com/luna...
2024-01-2315 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist86- Tour of the Circumpolar ConstellationsWe’re taking a tour of the Northern night sky to identify the North Star and get to know the nearby constellations that circle it, also known as the Circumpolar Constellations. I’ll also share the Greek story of Ursa Major and introduce you to how other cultures saw this group of stars. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/86 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 86: Full Moon Fitness Walk: https://nightskytourist.com/events/  Episode 82- Andromeda’s Star Story from the Greeks: https...
2024-01-0914 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist85- The First Astronomers: How Indigenous Elders Read the Stars with Duane HamacherDuane Hamacher takes us into the fascinating world where science and indigenous knowledge converge. His deep knowledge about how the indigenous cultures used the night sky for their very livelihood will open your mind to another way of viewing the night sky. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/85 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 85: First Astronomers book: https://www.amazon.com/First-Astronomers-Indigenous-Elders-stars-ebook/dp/B09MQ4QYSN Australian Indigenous Astronomy: http://www.aboriginalastronomy.com.au/  Australian Indigenous Astronomy on Instagram: https://w...
2024-01-0242 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist84- Gnome Matter the Weather with Tacy Quinn & Lauren TheisWinter is one of the very best times for stargazing. Unfortunately, it’s really easy to skip winter stargazing because it’s too cold. In this episode, I chat with Tacy Quinn and Lauren Theis to learn how to enjoy the outdoors no matter the weather the Scandinavian Way. They share their new project called “Gnome Matter the Weather” and their “15 Weeks of Frulifsliv” challenge. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/84 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 84: Gnome Matter the Weather Instagram: https://www.instagram.co...
2023-12-2646 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist83- Winter Solstice Special 2023Throughout human history, the Winter Solstice has probably been the most important and most celebrated time of the year no matter who you were or where you lived. Discover some fascinating Winter traditions from around the world. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/83 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 83: 2024 Stargazing Guide (free download) https://nightskytourist.com/  Rate Night Sky Tourist with 5 stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. THANK YOU! FOLLOW NIGHT SKY TOURIST ON S...
2023-12-1932 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist82- Andromeda's Star Story from the GreeksIn this star tour of the night sky, you’ll learn a bit about the Geminids Meteor Shower that peaks this week and learn about the Greek story of Andromeda, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Poseidon. I also share recommendations with you for a stargazing app and my favorite telescopes for your holiday shopping. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/82 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 82: Episode 80- Jupiter, King of the Planets: https://nightskytourist.com/80/  SkyView Lite App: Google Play: htt...
2023-12-1320 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist81- DarkSky International with Ruskin HartleyWho certifies all these International Dark Sky Places? In this episode, I chat with Ruskin Hartley, the executive director of DarkSky International, the organization at the center of the global movement to protect the night sky from light pollution. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/81 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 81: DarkSky International: https://darksky.org/  The City Dark documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyFsMCsQNE  Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association: https://fhdarksky.co...
2023-12-0538 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist80- Jupiter, King of the PlanetsIn this episode, we take a stargazing tour across the night sky. While we’re at it, we’re going to spend some time getting to know Jupiter, also known as the King of the Planets. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/80 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 80: “Build a Backyard Compass with Seasonal Markers”: https://nightskytourist.com/backyard-compass/  Episode 54- Extraordinary Night Sky-Themed Books for Children: https://nightskytourist.com/54/  Rate Night Sky Tourist with 5 stars on Spotify and Apple Podcasts...
2023-11-2815 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist79- OptOutside for Black FridayNight Sky Tourist loves the #OptOutside movement! I’ve got some fun ideas for you to craft your own OptOutside experience under the stars. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/79 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 79: REI #OptOutisde: https://www.rei.com/blog/social/the-history-of-opt-outside  Episode 29- Transform Your Life Outdoors with Amy Bushatz: https://nightskytourist.com/29/  52 Hike Challenge: https://www.52hikechallenge.com/  Episode 32- 1000 Hours Outside with Ginny Yurich: https://nightskytourist.com/32/  Episode 35- Wild Nights...
2023-11-2117 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist78- A Stellar Anniversary SpecialNight Sky Tourist is celebrating our anniversary with a stellar episode. Be sure to vote in our poll on Spotify for this episode before it closes! Visit NightSkyTourist.com/78 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FROM EPISODE 78: Episode 29- Humans Outside with Amy Bushatz: https://nightskytourist.com/29/  Episode 2- Lights Out! with Marsha Diane Arnold: https://nightskytourist.com/2-2/  Episode 54- Night Sky-Themed Children’s Books feat. Marsha Diane Arnold: https://nightskytourist.com/54/  Episode 9- Mayan Archaeoastronomy with Dr. Anthony Aveni...
2023-11-1419 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist77- Journey to Dark Sky Ireland with Georgia MacMillanWe take a little trip in this episode to the Emerald Isle of Ireland to chat with Georgia MacMillan. Georgia is the Development Officer for Ireland’s Mayo Dark Sky Park. She shares some great places for stargazing, which include observatories built in castles! She also shares about the newest International Dark Sky Park and the exciting events that they host each year. Get your green on and let’s check this place out together. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/77 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Da...
2023-10-2435 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist76- Astrophotography Adventures & Montana Night Skies with Matthew JacksonMatthew Jackson is an astrophotographer who recently opened an art gallery in Livingston, Montana. His gallery, called Montana Dark Sky Photography, features astrophotography exclusively. I chat with Matt in-person at his gallery to find out how he got started, about his pandemic road trip, and his dark sky advocacy. I also share some amazing places you should visit when you go to Livingston or Paradise Valley. See the link to all the mentioned locations in the links below. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/76 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Montana Dark Sky Photography: https://www.mtdarkstarphotography.com  Matthew J...
2023-10-1025 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist75- Glacier National Park at Nighte with Dori GorczycaGlacier National Park is one of the most scenic and amazing parks in the United States. Known as the backbone of the country, it is home to enormous glaciers, the largest population of bears in the lower 48 states, and extraordinary starry night skies. It’s also home to the Dusty Star Observatory and the Logan Pass Star Parties. Glacier is not kidding when it says, “Half the park is after dark.” Dori Gorczyca is the Lead Interpreter and Astronomy Coordinator in St. Mary at the East Entrance to Glacier National Park. We chat about how to have an amazing experi...
2023-09-2627 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist74- Light Pollution & Nocturnal Migratory Birds with Andrew FarnsworthThe night sky holds more than the moon and stars. It’s also home to migrating birds that mostly make their journeys at night. I chat with Andrew Farnsworth of Cornell Lab of Ornithology about the impact of light pollution on migrating birds. He shares easy solutions that homeowners and business owners can use to help protect our feathered friends from collisions with buildings while navigating at night. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/74 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.birds.cornell.edu/...
2023-09-1335 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist73- Magical Milky Way over Prineville Reservoir State Park with Georg FariaIf you’ve never seen the Milky Way reflecting over a lake, you need to visit Prineville Reservoir State Park in Central Oregon. George Faria, the Park Ranger Supervisor, gives us an inside look at this certified International Dark Sky Park and it will inspire you to load up the car and head to the West Coast. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/73 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Prineville Reservoir State Park: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=26 FOLLOW NI...
2023-08-3028 minThe Art Box
The Art BoxThe Art Box - Episode 114 - Night Sky Tourists - Meet Vicky DerksenSteve's new favorite podcast "Night Sky Tourist" host Vickey Derksen graciously was our guest for a super-duper interview chatting about dark skies, home schooling, US Rt. 89, light polution and of course podcasting. Vicky Derksen Night Sky Tourist Bio Vicky Derksen fell in love with the night sky while teaching naked-eye astronomy to local students in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Her passion for stargazing and cultural astronomy brought her face-to-face with light pollution, leading her to become a dark sky advocate. She’s the President of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association, helping he...
2023-08-2250 minThe Art Box
The Art BoxThe Art Box - Episode 114 - Night Sky Tourists - Meet Vicky DerksenSteve's new favorite podcast "Night Sky Tourist" host Vickey Derksen graciously was our guest for a super-duper interview chatting about dark skies, home schooling, US Rt. 89, light polution and of course podcasting. Vicky Derksen Night Sky Tourist Bio Vicky Derksen fell in love with the night sky while teaching naked-eye astronomy to local students in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Her passion for stargazing and cultural astronomy brought her face-to-face with light pollution, leading her to become a dark sky advocate. She’s the President of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association, helping he...
2023-08-2250 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist72- Observatory Park in Ohio with Chris MentrekOhio might not seem like a place to enjoy great night skies, but Observatory Park is an exception. Chris Mentrek, a naturalist and the park’s astronomy and nature educator, gives us an inside look at the park and will leave you longing to visit. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/72 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Observatory Park: https://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/observatory-park/   Great Basin National Park Astronomy Festival: https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/great-basin-astronomy-festival.htm  “Stargazer Inn at Nevada’s Great Basin wit...
2023-08-1534 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist71- What the Devil is an Occultation with Ted BlankTed Blank returns to Night Sky Tourist to talk about occultations and his latest adventure in recording one from his backyard. Astronomy is the oldest science, and it’s one of the only sciences that still relies on amateurs to help gather data. Ted shares how you can use your free time to record occultations and contribute to science. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/71 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: International Occultation Timing Association: https://occultations.org  FOLLOW NIGHT SKY TOURIST ON SOCIAL MED...
2023-08-0126 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist70- Night Skies at Big Bend National Park with Jason GablaskiBig Bend National Park in southwest Texas has some of the most well-preserved dark skies in the country. I chat with Jason Gablaski, the lead dark sky ranger at the park, about the best time of year for stargazing events, cultural astronomy of the indigenous people of the region, and things you can do during the day when you visit. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/70 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Big Bend National Park: ⁠https://www.nps.gov/bibe/⁠  Big Bend on Facebook: ⁠https://www.faceboo...
2023-07-1824 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist69- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with Ann SchwallerBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a pristine International Dark Sky Sanctuary at the top of Minnesota. I chat with Ann Schwaller, the Program Manager for this wilderness area, about the night sky in this area and all the amazing ways people can recreate there. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/69 more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior  Portage: A Family, A Canoe, and the Search for the Good Life by Sue Leaf: https://www.upress.umn.edu/b...
2023-07-0431 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist68- Bright Days & Dark Nights: Restoring Natural Day and NightHow much bright sunlight enters your eyes each day? How dark is your nighttime? In this episode, we dive into the cascade of hormones released in our bodies from early morning until late at night and how our lifestyle hijacks it. We talk about how to measure the light around us and what we can do to improve our bright days and dark nights for better physical and mental health. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/68 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: International Dark Sky Discovery Center: https://darkskycenter...
2023-06-2020 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist67- Awe & Wonder at Lowell Observatory with Dr. Jeffrey HallLowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, deserves a place at the top of your bucket list for night sky experiences. In this episode, Lowell’s executive director Dr. Jeffrey Hall shares about some exciting new additions to the visitor experience and gives us an amazing historical journey into Lowell’s past. Flagstaff also has several other noteworthy experiences for lovers of the night sky and cultural astronomy that I share in this episode. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/67 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Lowell Observatory: https://lowell.edu 
2023-06-1340 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist66- Camp & Stargaze at Pennsylvania's Cherry Springs State ParkCherry Springs State Park is the world’s second International Dark Sky Park. Located in North Central Pennsylvania, the park boasts beautiful dark sky, stargazing programs, and amenities for astrophotographers and campers. In this episode, I chat with Susan Schenck, the park’s Environments Education Specialist. Visit https://nightskytourist.com/66/ for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Cherry Springs State Park: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CherrySpringsStatePark/Pages/default.aspx  Cherry Springs stargazing info: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/CherrySpringsStatePark/Pages/Starg...
2023-05-2322 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist65- Chasing Stars from Kenya to Slovenia with Samyukta ManikumarSamyukta Manikumar was born and raised in Kenya, and now she lives in Slovenia. She chats with us about her career as an astrotourism designer, an astronomy enthusiast, and her advocacy for naturally dark skies.  Samyukta has a background in science communication, outreach, astrotourism, and experience design, which she brings together in her approach to dark sky conservation. She has a deep interest in preserving the nocturnal environment, paying homage to our historical cultural relationship with the night sky, and using these to inspire personal reflection and sustainable growth. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/65 for more information a...
2023-05-0932 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist64- Ancient Skywatcher Sites of Central ArizonaKenneth Zoll has conducted extensive fieldwork in the ancient astronomy of the Southwest, particularly at a site known as V Bar V Ranch in Central Arizona. In this episode, we chat about the people who made the rock art, the astronomical associations discovered in the petroglyphs, and the importance of skywatching for these cultures. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/64 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Verde Valley Archaeological Center: https://www.verdevalleyarchaeology.org  Sinagua Sunwatchers: An Archaeoastronomy Survey of the V Bar V H...
2023-04-2638 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist63- New Zealand's Dark Sky ProjectNew Zealand is working toward becoming the world’s first certified International Dark Sky Nation. And as you’ll hear from tonight’s guests, there’s a good reason for this. With some of the most pristine dark skies in the world and a rich night sky culture, you’ll want to put New Zealand at the top of your astrotourism travels. In this episode, I chat with Adrien Vilquin-Barrajon and Tutepourangi Manihera-Thomson from Dark Sky Project. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/63 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Dark Sky P...
2023-04-1135 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist62- Astrotourism Fun in New Brunswick, Canada, with Stéphane Picard of Cliff Valley AstronomyStéphane Picard launched Cliff Valley Astronomy during the COVID pandemic by offering small star parties. It didn’t take long for it to grow into a full-fledge astrotourism business based in New Brunswick, Canada, with plans for a grand event for the April 2024 total solar eclipse. Stéphane is an astronomer, astrophotographer, and an astropreneur. He’s also a member of the Saint John Astronomy Club and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s New Brunswick Centre. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/62 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Cliff Valley Astronomy: https://www.cliffvalleyastronomy.com  Saint John Astr...
2023-03-2832 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist61- In the Shadow of the Milky Way at Grand Canyon National Park with Ranger Rader LaneThe Grand Canyon has such pristine dark skies that the Milky Way casts shadows on a moonless night. Since more than 80% of people on earth can no longer see the Milky Way, this is extraordinary! In this episode, I chat with Ranger Rader Lane about Grand Canyon National Park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park, their annual 8-day star party, indigenous night sky culture, and more. I also chat with Tony Barnini, the general manager of nearby Clear Sky Resort, a truly special and unique place to stay with a bed under the stars near Grand Canyon....
2023-03-1445 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist60- Astronomical Petroglyphs at Utah's Fremont Indian State ParkFremont Indian State Park in Utah has thousands of petroglyphs left by the ancient culture that once inhabited the area. Among them, several have been understood to have astronomical purposes. In this episode, I chat with John Lundwall who made this discovery about the petroglyphs, and Elizabeth Nagengast-Stevens, curator and archaeologist at the park. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/60 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: John Lundwall: https://www.johnklundwall.com Fremont Indian State Park: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/fremont-indian/ ...
2023-02-2845 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist59- Stargazer Inn at Nevada's Great Basin National Park with Elizabeth WoolseyIn this episode, we visit with Elizabeth Woolsey, owner of the Stargazer Inn and Bristlecone General Store near Great Basin National Park in Nevada. Liz shares about the exceptionally dark skies, views of the Milky Way every night, and stargazing opportunities at Great Basin, and International Dark Sky Park. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/59 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: Stargazer Inn & Bristlecone General Store: https://www.stargazernevada.com Stargazer Inn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stargazerinnnevada Stargazer Inn on Instagram: https://www...
2023-02-1428 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist58- Arabic Cultural Astronomy Traditions with Dr. Danielle AdamsDr. Danielle Adams is a cultural astronomer who works at Lowell Observatory as the Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer. She studies the development and transformations of indigenous Arabian astronomy through pre-Islamic poetry and Arabic historical literature. Dr. Adams is active in informal astronomy education, speaking to various groups about Arabian cultural astronomy and the heritage of the many Arabic star names that astronomers still use today. She is inspired by the pristine desert skies to advocate for dark sky preservation. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/58 for more information about this episode. CHECK...
2023-01-3134 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist57- Fun in South Dakota at Badlands Observatory with Ron Dyvig & Teresa HoferSouth Dakota is far more than harsh winters and endless prairie. The western part of the state is full of exciting things to do and see: Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, fossil digs, Badlands National Park, and so much more. But if you plan a trip there, you should put at the top of your list Badlands Observatory. This amazing night sky destination is located in Quinn, South Dakota, only a few miles from Badlands National Park. It’s owned by Ron Dyvig and Teresa Hofer who join me in this episode to talk about their special slice of he...
2023-01-2431 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist56- Bats, Tequila & Light Pollution, OH MY! with Dr. Tanja StrakaWhat do bats, tequila, and light pollution have to do with one another? Find out the interconnectedness of these three seemingly unrelated things in this conversation with Dr. Tanja Straka. Dr. Straka is an urban ecologist with a focus on bats at the Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Ecology. Her research focuses on light pollution, urban bats, and more generally, how urban areas can be shared between people and wildlife. You’ll have to listen to find out how tequila fits into this mix. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/56 for more information about this episode. ...
2023-01-1035 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist55- When March 25 was America's New YearIn ancient times, nobody celebrated the New Year on January 1, or any other random day of the year. New Year’s Day was attached to an astronomically significant day, like the Spring Equinox or the Winter Solstice. In this episode, I take you back in time to follow the history of creating a more accurate calendar and how January 1 became the New Year for most people. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/55 for more information about this episode. CHECK OUT THESE LINKS: I didn’t share any links in this episode, but here are...
2022-12-2016 minHumans Outside
Humans OutsideBest Of: Outside After Dark - Why and How to Try Stargazing (Vicky Derksen, night sky lover and host of Night Sky Tourist Podcast))Are you daylight biased? As Amy has learned to become a human who likes to go outside, she focused all of her efforts on daylight. But what happens after dark is worth seeing, too. Spending time with a galaxy of stars by simply looking up after dark shifted how she feels about darkness, winter and her spot in the world. In this episode you’ll hear tips and tricks for the beginner night sky viewer from Vicky Derksen, a stargazing enthusiast and host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast. Listen now. Connect with this episode:...
2022-12-1544 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist54- Extraordinary Night Sky Books for ChildrenWhether you’re shopping for the holidays, birthdays, get well gifts, or any other occasion, night sky-themed books for children are an excellent choice. In this episode, I chat with five authors and illustrators of some of the best of these books. Listen to Paul Bogard, Marsha Diane Arnold, Breanna McDaniel, Jamie Hogan, and Susanna Chapman share special tidbits about their beautiful books that will make kids (and adults) fall in love with the night sky. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/54 for more information about this episode. GIVEAWAY I'm giving away a bu...
2022-12-0642 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist53- L.A.'s Iconic Griffith Observatory with Mark PineBelieve it or not, it's possible to have a night sky-related experience in a major urban city. Los Angeles ranks high on my list for such experiences, thanks to Griffith Observatory. In this episode, I chat with Mark Pine, the deputy director of Griffith Observatory. We even talk about the night the lights went out in Los Angeles and people started calling the police because of what they saw in the sky! Visit NightSkyTourist.com/53 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Griffith Observatory: https://griffithobservatory.org
2022-11-2236 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist52- Fireflies & Starlight with Ben PfeifferFireflies are magical and mesmerizing. Yet researchers have been telling us that their populations are dwindling. So I chatted with Ben Pfeiffer, founder of the website Firefly.org, to learn more about what’s causing this problem and what we can do to solve it. Many of the measures we take for dark sky preservation apply here, too. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/52 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Firefly.org “Nature’s New Hope” by Doubles W. Tallamy: https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Best-Hope-Approach-Conservation-ebook/dp/B07NMH5GH5
2022-11-0827 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist51- Celestial Origins of HalloweenOur first-ever Halloween special will take you back in time to the origins of the spooky holiday. We’re going to discover the astronomical connection to the timing of Halloween and how it led to some of the traditions associated with it. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/51 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Why Earth Stagger with a Drunken Wobble: https://nightskytourist.com/wobble/ Ancient star stories of Jupiter and Saturn: https://nightskytourist.com/49/ Ancient star stories of Pegasus: https://nightskytourist.com/24-2/ ...
2022-10-2515 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist50- Montana: A Stunning Stargazing Oasis with Lynn PowersMontana is home to some of the largest areas of pristinely dark skies in the country. It’s not known as “Big Sky Country” for nothing. Lynn Powers, the president of the Southwest Montana Astronomical Society, joins us to share about great locations in Montana to see the stars and participate in stargazing programs. Lynn is a NASA Solar System Ambassador, teaches at Montana State University, is a keynote speaker at numerous astronomy-related events, and holds a Master of Science degree in Science Education. Her list of activities and contributions is extensive, proving her deep passion for the ni...
2022-10-1131 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist49- How to View Jupiter & Saturn This Fall with Ted BlankThis is the best time of year to see Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky, and Jupiter is really putting on a show this year. In this episode, I’m joined by Ted Blank, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, to talk about how to view these gorgeous gas giants. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/49 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Night Sky Tourist Episode #1 with Ted Blank (Meet Ted Blank): https://nightskytourist.com/1-2/ Night Sky Tourist Episode #25 with Ted Blank (Buying a Telescope): https://nightskytourist.com/25/ ...
2022-09-2727 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist48- Antelope Island's Special Night Skies with Wendy WilsonHave you ever been to Utah’s Antelope Island State Park in the middle of the Great Salt Lake? It’s only a short distance from the state’s capital, but it will surprise you with its beautiful dark skies. The island is a designated International Dark Sky Park and offers great stargazing programs, as well as unique landscapes and activities you can enjoy during the day. In this episode, I chat with Wendy Wilson, the assistant park manager who put in the work to get Antelope Island its dark sky designation. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/48 for mo...
2022-09-1326 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist47- How to Create an Epic Stargazing ExperienceHave you had a chance to make any great stargazing memories? In this episode, I share tips for protecting your night vision, gadgets to enhance your stargazing experiences, and ideas to add more fun for the whole family. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/47 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Things to See in the Night Sky in 2022 Guide: https://nightskytourist.com Night Sky Tourist #25- Buying a Telescope with Ted Blank: https://nightskytourist.com/25/ “7 Tips for Stargazing with Grandparents”: https://nightskytourist.com/stargazing-with-grandparents/ “M...
2022-08-3019 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist46- Hovenweep's Archaeoastronomy & Dark Sky Treasures with Austin TumasRanger Austin Tumas joins me from Hovenweep National Monument to talk about the Ancestral Pueblo people who once lived there and the remarkable archaeoastronomy they left behind. Austin started working for the National Park Service 7 years ago as a college student. Since then, she’s worked in 8 different parks across the country. Astronomy was part of the activities at 6 of those parks. Although her degree is in anthropology, she learned a great deal about astronomy during her first season at Hovenweep, proving that anyone can learn the night sky. Austin has worked at Hovenweep as a...
2022-08-1531 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist45- Australia Stargazing Excursion with Dimitri DouchinAustralia is a stargazing paradise and offers different night sky views than we experience in the Northern Hemisphere. In this episode, I chat with Dimitri Douchin, founder of Blue Mountains Stargazing. He shares about the unique experiences his company offers and gives us some great tips for other things to do in the area. Dimitri is an astrophysicist and serves on the faculty of Western Sydney University where he specializes in Cultural Astronomy. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/45 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Blue Mountains Stargazing: https://www...
2022-08-0233 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist44- Calendars, Clocks & Seasonal Living with Ric AllingRic Alling chats with me about the fascinating world of how humans used the sky to develop calendars, why we invented clocks, and the benefits of getting back to seasonal living. Ric is the manager of the Community Outreach Program at Arizona State University’s School of Earth & Space Exploration. He also puts together the programming at the Marston Exploration Theater and the Gallery of Scientific Exploration at ASU. He has a professional interest in the history of astronomy and how people through history react to scientific trends and investigations. Rick is a board member of...
2022-07-1936 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist43- Let There be Night with Paul BogardPaul Bogard chats with me about his book The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light. He is also the author of The Ground Beneath Us: From the Oldest Cities to the Last Wilderness, What Dirt Tells Us About Who We Are. His most recent works are the coffee table book To Know a Starry Night and the children’s book What if Night? Paul is an associate professor of English at Hamline University in Saint Paul, Minnesota USA, where he teaches environmental literature and writing. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/43 for more in...
2022-07-0530 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist42- Skyglow Project with Harun MehmedinovicHarun Memedinovic is one of the founders of Skyglow Project. In this episode, we chat about our shared love for dark sky advocacy and how Harun uses his photography skills to bring attention to the issue of light pollution, or skyglow. Harun is an award-winning photographer and videographer whose work has been featured in National Geographic, BBC Earth, Vogue Italia, Astronomy Magazine, Wired, Forbes, and so much more. He’s also an author of three books and has been the subject of a TEDx Talk.More recently, he was the cinematographer and co-producer for “Ice on Fire”, an HBO...
2022-06-2132 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist41- Take Home a Piece of Geoff Notkin's Personal Meteorite CollectionGeoff Notkin, star of the tv show Meteorite Men, stops in to chat about the auction for his personal meteorite collection that ends on June 22, 2022. Learn about his 30 years in the world of meteorites, how he assembled his collection over the years, and details about this one-of-a-kind auction. You can catch my previous episodes with Geoff Notkin: Episode 19 Chasing Meteorites with Geoff Notkin part 1: https://nightskytourist.com/19-2/ Episode 20 Treasures from Space with Geoff Notkin part 2: https://nightskytourist.com/20-2/ Visit NightSkyTourist.com/41 for more information about this episode. ...
2022-06-1422 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist40- Discovery Olympic National Park's Starry Nights with Jared LowI chat with Jared Low, a Supervisory Park Ranger for the Interpretation Division at Olympic National Park. Jared manages the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles, WA. He coordinates the interpretive programming for visitors in the east district of the park, including the popular night skies program at Hurricane Ridge. Jared has worked with the National Park Service since 2012, including time at Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Park and Mt. Rainier National Park. He loves to explore the waters, trails, and campgrounds of the Pacific Northwest with his wife and...
2022-06-0723 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist39- Late Spring BreakThe Night Sky Tourist podcast is taking a late Spring Break to refresh and come back this summer. There will be no new episodes during the month of May 2022. But check out my suggestions for your stargazing experiences during this break. SPREAD THE WORD Help us reach more people by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. GET TO KNOW US MORE Visit NightSkyTourist.com to read our great blog articles, check out our resource page, and sign up for our newsletters. Our monthly newsletter has...
2022-04-2605 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist38- Astronomy on Tap with Emily RiceEmily Rice, aka DJ Carly Sagan, is an organizer for the international Astronomy on Tap program. She’s fun and witty, but she’s also super smart! Emily is an Associate Professor of Astrophysics at Macaulay Honors College of the City University of New Yourk. She is faculty in the Physics Ph. D program and a resident research associate in the Deprtment of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History. She has a Ph.D in Astronomy & Astrophysics at UCLA and Bachelor’s degrees in Physics & Astronomy and German at the University of Pittsbugh. Emily has the su...
2022-04-1239 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist37- Hidden Star Map at Hoover Dam with Patti AaronPatti Aaron chats with me about a gorgeous star map hidden in plain sight at Hoover Dam. Hoover Dam is an extraordinary engineering work that controls the Colorado River. Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the dam in 1936. The dedication site now has a star map and other remarkable symbols that are truly worth the visit. Patti is the Public Affairs Officer for the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Basin Region. This region covers southern Nevada, southern California, and Arizona. She started out as a restoration biologist before transitioning to her work on Western water policy and public af...
2022-03-2927 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist36- Lakota Star Knowledge with Dr. Craig HoweDr. Craig Howe chats with me about Lakota Star Knowledge and the relationship between the Lakota and the night sky. He is the founder and director of the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies and has served as the Deputiy Assistant for Cultural Resources at the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian Institute. Dr. Howe has authored articles and book chapters on numerous topics, including tribal histories and Native studies. He has developed innovative tribal histories projects and museum exhibitions. He was raised on his family’s cattle ranch in the Lacreek Di...
2022-03-1536 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#35 Wild Nights Out with Chris SalisburyChris Salisbury is the author of the book “Wild Nights Out: The Magic of Exploring the Outdoors after Dark”. He is the founder of WildWise, an outdoor education and training company. He uses every creative means at his disposal to encourage people to enjoy and value the natural world on courses he facilitates in the UK and abroad. He’s also a professional storyteller and is just as comfortable on the big stage in theater as he is around the campfire. LINKS WildWise: https://wildwise.co.uk Wild Nights Out book: https://www.chelse...
2022-03-0135 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#34 Aboriginal Skies with Paul CurnowPaul Curnow chats with me about Aboriginal Skies in Australia. He has been an astronomy lecturer at the Adelaide Planetarium for the past 30 years. After 3 decades of research, he is regarded as on of the world’s leading authorities on Australian Aboriginal night sky knowledge. In 2004, Paul worked with the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Planetarium in Ohio to create a show featuring Indigenous Australian stories of the night sky. He also serves as a consultant on Ingigenous Astronomy for the Australian Space Agency and is a member of the Andy Thomas Space Foundation Education Advisory Committee....
2022-02-1532 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#33 I Heart Pluto with Kevin SchindlerKevin Schindler is the historian and Public Information Officer at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona where Pluto was discovered 92 years ago. He is the author of seven books, including one titled “Pluto and Lowell Observatory”. He is the organizer for a really fun event coming up this month called the I Heart Pluto Festival, which we talk about in this episode. And here’s a really fun fact for you: Schindler has both a fossil crab and an asteroid named after him! LINKS I Heart Pluto Festival: https://iheartpluto.org Lowell Observ...
2022-02-0138 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#32 1000 Hours Outside with Ginny YurichGinny Yurich is a Michigan mother of 5 and the founder of 1000 Hours Outside. She has inspired thousands upon thousands of parents around the world to raise their kids with nature-based play. She has a degree in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan. She’s also an author and an illustrator. LINKS: 1000 Hours Outside: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com “Moon Milk Magic?”: https://nightskytourist.com/moon-magic/ Things to See in the Night Sky in 2022: https://nightskytourist.com Visit NightSkyTourist.com/32 for more information about this epi...
2022-01-1935 minHumans Outside
Humans OutsideOutside After Dark: Why and How to Try Stargazing (Vicky Derksen)When we talk about going outside every day, we usually mean in the daytime. But what if heading outside after dark for a little stargazing is just the boost your outdoor habit needs? Vicky Derksen, host of the Night Sky Tourist podcast and a stargazing enthusiast joined us for this episode to talk about something almost completely new to Amy: stargazing. With tips and tricks for how to get into the hobby, this really informative episode is the perfect gateway to helping would-be starwatches step outside at night a little night sky viewing. Connect with this episode:
2022-01-1343 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#31 Discover Utah's Stargazing Secrets with Justina Parsons-BernstienJustina Parsons-Bernstein takes us into the world of dark skies across Utah’s State Parks. In fact, she created the Utah State Parks Dark Sky Initiative in 2015. Find out some of the very best places in Utah to see a pristine dark sky and also where to go to find an ancient cultural astronomy site. LINKS: UTAH STATE PARKS STARRY NIGHTS INITIATIVE https://stateparks.utah.gov/activities/dark-sky/ UTAH STATE PARKS DARK SKY EVENTS https://stateparks.utah.gov/activities/dark-sky/dark-sky-events/ Utah.com Website Collection of Articles on...
2022-01-0433 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#30- Winter Solstice from Alaska to Costa RicaIn this Winter Solstice special, we take trips to Alaska and Costa Rica to find out what it’s like to experience the shortest day of the year in these extreme locations. Ted Blank, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, answers my burning question about the weather and the Winter Solstice. Peter Atkinson lends his amazing storytelling voice to share with us the story of “La Befana and the Royal Child of Light.” Epcot does a great “Holidays Around the World” celebration which includes an appearance by La Befana herself. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch...
2021-12-2134 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#29 Transform Your Life Outdoors with Amy BushatzAmy Bushatz is the host of the wonderful podcast Humans Outside. She is also a journalist and an editor specializing in coverage of the Alaska outdoors and the U.S. military. When here husband left the active-duty Army in 2016, their family moved sight-unseen to Alaska. They have built a lifestyle around spending time outside every day. In fact, Amy’s personal challenge has been to spend 20 minutes outside every single day. In this episode, we chat about the value of spending time outside under a starry sky. And Amy shares an amazing personal experience she recently had wi...
2021-12-0736 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#28 Returning Darkness to the Night Sky with John BarentineJohn Barentine is the founder of Dark Sky Consulting. He joins me in this episode to talk about returning the darkness to the night sky. John holds a Ph.D. in astronomy and has worked for the National Solar Observatory, Apache Point Observatory, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. He formerly worked as the Director of Public Policy for the International Dark Sky Association. He even has an asteroid named in his honor, known as (14505) Barentine! Check out the link for his three books below. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/28 for more information...
2021-11-2333 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#27 First Anniversary SpecialNight Sky Tourist podcast is celebrating its first anniversary this week. But we’re also celebrating another milestone. The Night Sky Tourist website is celebrating its second anniversary. I’ve just launched a beautifully redesigned website with new features. You can also download my free guide called “Things to See in the Night Sky in 2021”. Don’t worry, you’ll get the 2022 edition at the end of December. Would you believe that in the first 26 episodes, you’ve heard the voices of 58 different people? Fifty-eight people who have taken time to help make Night Sky Tourist a success. In th...
2021-11-0922 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#26 Emotional Grounding & the Night Sky with Toni KoutsToni Kouts joins us from Sydney, Australia to talk about her experience under the extended pandemic lockdown and how she found solace in the night sky. Toni is a night sky photographer and has a degree in welfare studies, including mental health, psychology, and sociology. We talk about the role the night sky has in helping us find emotional health. If you want to send a “Happy Anniversary” audio message for Episode 27, please record it on your phone’s voice memo app. Then email it to me at Hello@NightSkyTourist.com. Be sure to introduce yourself and send i...
2021-10-2934 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#25 Buying a Telescope with Ted BlankTed Blank is a NASA Solar System Ambassador. He’s also my #1 go-to when I have questions about telescopes. In this episode, Ted and I chat about things you should think about before buying a telescope. He also shares some brands that are great for first-time buyers. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/25 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Telescope Brands: Orion: https://www.telescope.com Celestron: https://www.celestron.com Meade: https://www.meade.com Astro Tech: https://www.astronomics.com/b/astro-tech.html Explore Scientific: https://explorescientificusa.com iOptron: ht...
2021-10-1233 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#24 Astrotourism Adventures with Michael MarlinMichael Marlin is a dark sky ambassador for the International Astronomical Union and the International Dark Sky Association. His passion for dark sky preservation goes back to the 1980s when he produced the LUMA light show theatrical performances. He also gave a truly inspiring TEDx talk called “Embracing Darkness”. In addition to his stories of running away with the circus, traveling the world with his juggling act, inventing a toy, and living in a treehouse in the jungle, Marlin is also the recent author of the book Astrotourism: Star Gazers, Eclipse Chasers, and the Dark Sky Movement.
2021-09-2829 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#23 Fall Equinox SpecialOur Fall Equinox Special features some of my friends who help tell the stories of different traditions from around the world. Thank you to Peter Atkinson, Jaime Britt, Joe Bill, Polly Knelsen, Clayton Corey, and Mark Derksen. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/23 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE The 4 Season Solution by Dallas Hartwig: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-4-Season-Solution/Dallas-Hartwig/9781508299639 SPREAD THE WORD Help us reach more people by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. GET TO...
2021-09-1418 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#22 Sketching the Night Sky with John Muir LawsJohn (Jack) Muir Laws is a leader and innovator in the worldwide nature journaling movement. He is a scientist, educator, and author who helps people forge a deeper and more personal connection with nature through keeping illustrated nature journals. Trained as a wildlife biologist, he observes the world with rigorous attention. He looks for mysteries, plays with ideas, and seeks connections in all he sees. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/22 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE John Muir Laws: Nature Stewardship through Science, Education, and Art: https://johnmuirlaws.com ...
2021-09-0235 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#21 Flat Earth Movement with Daniel J. ClarkFilmmaker Daniel J. Clark chats with me about the making of the Behind the Curve documentary. It takes a look into the world of those who believe the Earth is flat. Daniel has worked in film as a director, editor, cinematographer, sound designer, and more. His independent television pilot for the show “Cowards” earned him the Best Comedy Pilot award at the New York Television Festival in 2014. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/21 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Delta V Productions: https://www.deltavproductions.com Behind the Curve documentary: http...
2021-08-1937 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#20 Treasures from Space with Geoff Notkin part 2Meteorite hunter extraordinaire, Geoff Notkin, joins us in Part 2 of this two-part episode to share about his adventures in chasing meteorites. We talk about things you need to know before hunting for your own meteorites and visit the topic of the Chelyabinsk Meteorite that struck Russia in 2013. Check out the Night Sky Tourist Facebook page for a special giveaway of Geoff’s award-winning book, How to Find Treasure from Space: The Expert Guide to Meteorite Hunting and Identification. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/20 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Aerolite Meteorites: ht...
2021-08-0733 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#19 Chasing Meteorites with Geoff Notkin part 1Meteorite hunter extraordinaire, Geoff Notkin, joins us in part one of this two-part episode to share about his adventures in chasing meteorites. He also shares tips for hunting meteorites on your own.  Check out the Night Sky Tourist Facebook page for a special giveaway of Geoff’s award-winning book, “How to Find Treasure from Space: The Expert Guide to Meteorite Hunting and Identification”. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/19 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Aerolite Meteorites: https://aerolite.org “How to Find Treasure from Space: The Expert Guide to...
2021-07-2436 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#18 Create a Backyard Stargazing Oasis with Mark DerksenWe chat with Mark Derksen, my husband, about creating a stargazing oasis in your own backyard. Mark is a Dark Sky Lighting expert and he gives some great tips on how to choose the right kind of lighting for your stargazing space to provide safety while also protecting your ability to see the stars. I also share some other suggestions for adding fun elements to enhance your entire stargazing experience. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/18 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Dirk’s Electric: https://dirkselectric.com Ma...
2021-07-1034 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#17 Cliff Dwellings & the Night Sky at Tonto National MonumentWe visit Tonto National Monument where the cliff-dwelling Salado people thrived in the desert and enjoyed an exceptional connection with the night sky. Learn how they used the Milky Way to navigate at night. Today the monument is a certified International Dark Sky Park. Find out what they mean by “half the park is after dark”. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/17 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Tonto National Monument: https://www.nps.gov/tont/index.htm Night Sky Tourist article “Tonto National Monument”: https://nightskytourist.com/tonto-national-monument/ Intern...
2021-06-2630 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#16 Stonehenge at Summer Solstice with Josh DuryOur Summer Solstice Special will take you to Stonehenge where our guest Josh Dury tells about the special connection between Stonehenge and the first day of summer. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/16 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Take a virtual visit to Stonehenge on the Summer Solstice at: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/things-to-do/solstice/ Josh Dury: https://www.joshduryphoto-media.com “Venus: The Planet with Two Names”: https://nightskytourist.com/venus/ NASA announced two missions to Venus: https://www.nasa.gov/pres...
2021-06-1231 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#15 Behind-the-Scenes of Night Sky Tourist with Vicky DerksenHear the behind-the-scenes story of what led to the creation of Night Sky Tourist. I share about experiences under the night sky from my own childhood, my experience in teaching naked eye astronomy to high school students...and their parents...and how I got involved in dark sky preservation efforts. I also give a sneak peek into the future of Night Sky Tourist. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/15 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE “The City Dark” documentary by Ian Cheney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyF...
2021-05-2926 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#14 Art in the Night Sky with Syahirah NazarudinWe travel to Malaysia to chat with Syahirah Nazarudin, a school teacher, dark sky advocate, and space artist. We discuss the emotional aspect of stargazing and how the arts can connect us the the night sky in a unique way. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/14 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Check out Syahirah’s work and follow her on the following sites: BLOG: https://syahirahstargazer.blogspot.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEFK0ZV5rT2JTuNk6BmM8Kw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sy...
2021-05-1542 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#13 The Changing Night Sky with Josh DuryJosh Dury chats with us from Bristol, England about how the night sky is changing and shares some great astrotourism tips for anyone who is interested in planning a trip to the UK. He uses his skills as a photographer, filmmaker, conservationist, and speaker to help people understand the impact of light pollution while giving them a glimpse at the wonder and majesty of the night sky. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/13 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Josh Dury: https://www.joshduryphoto-media.com Celestial Geometry: Understanding the Astronomical...
2021-05-0136 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#12 Dark Skies of Switzerland with Lukas SchulerLukas Schuler is the President of Dark Sky Switzerland and an Advocate with the International Dark Sky Association. Lukas joins me to talk about dark sky preservation efforts in his home country and we talk about great places you can visit if you want to experience a starry night in this beautiful area of Europe. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/12 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Night Sky Tourist: Episode 1 with Ted Blank, NASA Solar System Ambassador https://nightskytourist.com/1/ Venus, the Planet with Two Names:
2021-04-1729 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#11 International Dark Sky Week with Bettymaya FoottBettymaya Foott from the International Dark Sky Association joins us to talk about the upcoming International Dark Sky Week on April 5-12, 2021. Bettymaya shares about growing up under the pristine dark skies of Moab, Utah and how she learned about light pollution for the first time. She also gives some great tips for anyone who wants something really easy to do to help protect the night skies, beginning in their own backyard. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/11 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE International Dark Sky Week, April 5-11, 2022: ...
2021-04-0332 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#10 Spring Equinox SpecialOur Spring Equinox Special brings to you 8 great spring celebrations and traditions from around the world, both ancient and modern. While each culture has its unique rituals and ways of viewing the Spring Equinox, there are often similarities between them, too. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/10 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE “Losing the Dark” mini-documentary: https://www.darksky.org/our-work/grassroots-advocacy/resources/losing-the-dark/ International Dark Sky Week, April 5-11, 2021: https://idsw.darksky.org SPREAD THE WORD Help us reach more people by subs...
2021-03-2032 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#9 Mayan Archaeoastronomy & the Apocalypse with Dr. Anthony AveniOur amazing guest, Dr. Anthony Aveni, talks with us about Mayan archaeoastronomy, a field of study that he founded and teaches about as a university professor. We also discuss Mayan timekeeping and their apocalyptic worldview. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/9 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Dr. Anthony Aveni: https://www.anthonyfaveni.com “Star Stories: Constellations and People”: https://www.anthonyfaveni.com/books Star Talk Radio with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Dr. Anthony Aveni: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-timekeeping/ Mars rover “Perseverance”: https://mars.nasa.gov ...
2021-03-0638 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#8 Equity in Nature with Dudley EdmondsonMeet Dudley Edmondson, a nature advocate, author, photographer, and public speaker. We discuss the importance for getting kids outdoors and the impact that time in nature can have in their lives. We also tackle the subject of inequity of access to nature for urban youth and children of color. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/8 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Dudley Edomondson: https://dudleyedmondson.com NASA’s Mars Rover “Perseverance”: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/ “Black History Month: Diversity in Astronomy”: https://nightskytourist.com/diversity-in-astronomy/ SPREAD THE...
2021-02-2038 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#7 Flagstaff, Arizona: International Dark Sky CommunityOn this episode, we take a trip to Flagstaff, Arizona, the world’s first International Dark Sky Community. It is home of Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered in 1930. This is our introduction to AstroTourism. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/7 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Flagstaff Dark Sky Coalition: http://www.flagstaffdarkskies.org Lowell Observatory: https://lowell.edu International Dark Sky Association: https://www.darksky.org New Horizons Spacecraft: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/main/index.html “Flagstaff, Arizona: Best in A...
2021-02-0635 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#6 Cosmic Calendars with Julie WilderOur guest in this episode is Julie Wilder, founder and owner of Spiral Spectrum. Julie creates unique cosmic calendars unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. She has combined her intense interest of the night sky with her incredible artistic talent to produce a calendar of the night sky for all 365 days. Visit NightSkyTourist.com/6 for more information about this episode. LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Spiral Spectrum: https://spiralspectrum.com “January New Moon in 2021”: https://nightskytourist.com/january-new-moon-2021/ “Astrology vs. Astronomy: Are They the Same?”: https://nightskytourist.com/astronomy-vs-astrology/ Moon...
2021-01-2335 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#5 Cultural Astronomy with Luke EdensOur guest in this episode is Luke Edens, the Vice President of the Phoenix Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association. He is also involved in a group called Southwest Cultural Astronomy and he joins us to discuss the topic of cultural astronomy. What is it? Where can you find it? Luke is also an Emergency Room nurse, so we say THANK YOU for working on the front lines during this pandemic. We are kicking off our “Year of the Moon” in this episode during our night sky tour. For more information, visit http...
2021-01-0932 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#4 Wildlife & Light Pollution with Amy BurnettOur guest in this episode is Ranger Amy Burnett, a wildlife expert with the Arizona Game and Fish. She is well-loved in her community for rescuing injured and sick wild animals from people’s yards, for her lively presentations that include live animals, and for her appearances on morning news shows around Phoenix, Arizona. In this episode, we tackle issues related to the impact of light pollution on wildlife and discuss easy things anyone can do to reduce light pollution on their own property. CLICK HERE for more information about this episode: https://nightskytourist.com/4/  ...
2020-12-2637 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#3 Winter Solstice SpecialIn this special Winter Solstice episode, members of the Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association in Arizona share ancient cultural tales of this significant seasonal observance. They will take you on a journey around the world to times long ago up to the present day. Click here for more information about this episode: https://nightskytourist.com/3/ LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Fountain Hills Dark Sky Association: http://fhdarksky.com “The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice” by Carolyn McVickar Edwards: https://www.amazon.com/Return-Light-Twelve-Around-Solstice/dp/1...
2020-12-1235 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#2 Marsha Diane Arnold: Lights Out!GUEST INFO Marsha Diane Arnold is an award-winning children’s book author of more than 20 books. Her most recent book, “Lights Out”, introduces the concept of light pollution to young readers in a gentle and beautiful way through a picture book. Marsha shares her experiences with the night sky and what spared the idea for writing this book. Learn more at https://nightskytourist.com/2/  LINKS IN THIS EPISODE Marsha’s website: https://marshadianearnold.com “The City Dark” documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGyFsMCsQNE SPREAD THE...
2020-11-2831 minNight Sky Tourist
Night Sky Tourist#1 Ted Blank, NASA Solar System AmbassadorTed Blank, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, shares how he got involved with astronomy and dark sky preservation and encourages young people to chase after the stars, whether in their backyard or as a career. Ted will be featured in our Q&A segments in future episodes and I wanted everyone to get to know him right from the beginning. SHOW NOTES: Here are some things that were mentioned in this episode of Night Sky Tourist: NightSkyTourist.com : Sign up for the Night Sky Tourist newsletter and check out our great blog...
2020-11-1532 min