Night Sky Tourist Podcast
Take a journey with me to discover fascinating night sky destinations, explore cultural star stories, learn about protecting our dark skies, and take guided naked-eye tours across the night sky.Episodes
Episode 120- 7 Surprising Urban Astrotourism Experiences
Think 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...
Episode 119- 100 Nights of a Lifetime with Stephanie Vermillion
In this episode, I welcome travel journalist Stephanie Vermillion to discuss her captivating new National Geographic book, 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Adventures After Dark. Stephanie's work takes us beyond traditional stargazing to explore...
Episode 118- Dark Skies and Wise Owl Eyes with Ranger Amy Burnett
Ranger Amy Burnett returns to the podcast so we can explore the world of owls in their world of natural darkness. We talk about how our other senses heighten when stargazing, the diverse calls of different owl species, and why owls are threatened by increasing light...
Episode 117- Starlight Slopes: Night Skiing in Utah
Embark on a thrilling journey to the slopes of Utah in this episode of Night Sky Tourist. Join us as we explore the magical experience of night skiing with special guest Amber Palmer, the creative marketing mind behind Brian Head Resort and an avid skier and mountain...
Episode 116- Tucson’s Astro Trail with Cindy Aguilar
The city of Tucson, Arizona, recently launched a new program for residents and tourists called the Astro Trail. You might not think you can stargaze in a city of a million people, but Tucson isn’t your typical metropolis. This is a city that takes its night sky...
Episode 115- Backstage Pass to the Moon and Parade of Planets with Scott Grzybowski
From moving tides to mysterious red shadows, the Moon's influence on Earth and humanity runs deep. Join my conversation with NASA Solar System Ambassador Scott Grzybowski for an insider's look at our celestial companion, exploring everything from ancient lunar...
Episode 114- Highway 89: Big News for America’s Starlight Highway with Jim Cowlin and Sway Wild
I’m officially naming Highway 89, from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, America’s Starlight Highway. And with the two big announcements I make in this episode, you’ll agree that I’m uniquely qualified to give it that title. I’m joined by James Cowlin to...
Episode 113- The Stargazer’s Mind: The Psychology of Looking Up with Dr. Christopher Barnes
Something happens when you look up at a starry night sky. Most people have a change in their emotions, sense of well-being, and even their physical state. Dr. Christopher Barnes, a psychologist in the UK, shares some fascinating studies around the theory of nature...
Episode 112- Winter Solstice 2024
Winter Solstice has been a significant time of year across cultures for thousands of years. 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...
Episode 111- Wish Upon a Star: Meteor Showers with Ted Blank
There’s a lot of hype around meteor showers, but sometimes you can feel disappointed after waiting and seeing nothing. Ted Blank, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, shares with us about what we see when we see a shooting star and the best times of year to see them to get...
Episode 110- Tumacácori National Historical Park with Tony Palmer
Tumacácori National Historical Park in southern Arizona is an International Dark Sky Park where you can walk among blinking fireflies in the mesquite bosque. The park’s biologist, Tony Palmer, joins us to share about these magical insects, the other surprising...
Episode 109- Dinosaur Tracks, Constellations and Homo Sapiens with Bettymaya Foott
Bettymaya Foott is an astrophotographer and the Engagement Associate for DarkSky International. In this episode, we dive into a fascinating conversation about a photo she took with dinosaur tracks, the Milky Way, and herself. She also shares tangible ways that major...
Episode 108- Ancient Nights at Cedar Breaks National Monument with Matthias Schmitt
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a true hidden gem in Southern Utah. At over 10,000 feet, this International Dark Sky Park is perfect for undisturbed stargazing. Matthias Schmitt leads the night sky programs at Cedar Breaks and shares what makes this place so...
Episode 107- Mental Health & Stargazing with Joyful Mdhluli
There are so many anecdotes about how stargazing has helped people cope with their mental health afflictions, including anxiety and depression. The Office of Astronomy for Development in South Africa is now working on studies to discover the science behind those...
Episode 106- Enchantment at Evening Twilight with Stokes Nature Center and Jason Gray
Twilight is a magical time of day as the light slowly fades from the sky. There is so much more happening than what meets the eye, so in this episode, we’re getting a backstage pass to find out what’s happening. Kendra Penry, the Executive Director of Stokes Nature...
Episode 105- Stargazing Hikes with Janice Holden, Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills
In this episode, I take you to the trails where I lead stargazing hikes in an interview with Janice Holden, co-chair of the Sonoran Conservancy of Fountain Hills. You’ll also get some great tips for planning your own stargazing or Full Moon hike wherever you live or...
Episode 104- The Subversive Power of the Night Self with Annabel Abbs-Streets
Annabel Abbs-Streets shares about her new book Sleepless: Unleashing the Subversive Power of the Night Self. Our conversation will give you a new way of thinking about the night and what it means to be in it under the stars. Over and over, Annabel invites us to find...
Episode 103- Cultural Astronomy of the North with Travis Novitsky
Travis Novitsky is a lifelong resident of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation. He’s a self-taught nature and wildlife photographer whose work focuses primarily on his native homelands in northeast Minnesota. In this episode, he shares about his relationship with the...
Episode 102- Moths, VIPs of the Night Shift
Moths are far from the furry, dusty, scary things we’ve imagined. With over 10,000 species of them in North America alone, they come in all colors and sizes, and they do the important work of pollinating during the night shift. Dr. Richard Fox, the Head of Science at...
Episode 101- Idaho’s Bruneau Dunes State Park
Idaho has a new and super fun International Dark Sky Park at Bruneau Dunes State Park. Greg Harman, the park’s Astronomy Ranger, joins me to share about the great stargazing amenities and events and the best times of the year to visit. CHECK OUT THESE...