The Garden Astronomer Podcast https://gardenastronomer.com/podcasts/the-garden-astronomer-podcast/ Welcome to The Garden Astronomer Podcast, where the wonders of the universe are brought down to Earth. Hosted by Amy McGraw, with amateur astronomer Wayne McGraw joining as co-host, each episode blends narrative storytelling with the science and human history behind comets, meteor showers, and the deep sky. From forgotten great comets to the recurring return of spectacular meteor showers, hear the stories of celestial events that connect us to the night sky. Clean, insightful, and accessible: your audio companion for exploring the night sky. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:08:38 +0000 en-US © 2026 The Garden Astronomer Observations Under Suburban Skies Wayne & Amy McGraw episodic Welcome to The Garden Astronomer Podcast, where the wonders of the universe are brought down to Earth. Hosted by Amy McGraw, with amateur astronomer Wayne McGraw joining as co-host, each episode blends narrative storytelling with the science and human history behind comets, meteor showers, and the deep sky. From forgotten great comets to the recurring return of spectacular meteor showers, hear the stories of celestial events that connect us to the night sky. Clean, insightful, and accessible: your audio companion for exploring the night sky. The Garden Astronomer waynemcgraw@gmail.com false https://gardenastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Show-Art-The-Garden-Astronomer-Podcast.jpg The Garden Astronomer Podcast https://gardenastronomer.com/podcasts/the-garden-astronomer-podcast/ waynemcgraw@gmail.com Welcome to The Garden Astronomer Podcast, where the wonders of the universe are brought down to Earth. Hosted by Amy McGraw, with amateur astronomer Wayne McGraw joining as co-host, each episode blends narrative storytelling with the science and human history behind comets, meteor showers, and the deep sky. From forgotten great comets to the recurring return of spectacular meteor showers, hear the stories of celestial events that connect us to the night sky. Clean, insightful, and accessible: your audio companion for exploring the night sky. No yes cd0b63ee-c7a4-5e98-9266-ab8f1b72246b 188117191 An August Night Under the Perseids https://gardenastronomer.com/podcast/an-august-night-under-the-perseids/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 653022a5-f996-5b75-9091-90532ab1b5da A 1980s backyard night of amateur astronomy in Arvada, Colorado gets hijacked by high-school stoners, Iron Maiden, and late-night roof climbers.

Host and author Wayne McGraw shares a true Gen X story that begins with watching the Perseid meteor shower, tracking Saturn, finding the Andromeda Galaxy, and ends with teens who would never have crossed paths connecting under an August night. Along the way, Wayne also offers practical insights on how to view the shower yourself and the reasons behind its annual return.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Garden Astronomer

00:53 – From Gold Dust to Suburban Skies in Arvada

02:47 – Comet Swift-Tuttle & The Perseids

03:38 – Counting the First Streaks of Light

04:18 – Uninvited Guests & Iron Maiden on the Lawn

06:55 – When Metalheads Turn Cosmologists

08:22 – Community Under the Clockwork Sky

10:20 – Trapped Flashlights & The Andromeda Galaxy

13:34 – Orion Rises & Changing Seasons

14:25 – Midnight Roof Climbers & Impromptu Observatory

16:45 – Farewell to the Night

17:22 – Practical Tips for Watching the Perseids

18:09 – Outro

]]> full 5 A 1980s backyard night of amateur astronomy in Arvada, Colorado gets hijacked by high-school stoners, Iron Maiden, and late-night roof climbers.

Host and author Wayne McGraw shares a true Gen X story that begins with watching the Perseid meteor shower, tracking Saturn, finding the Andromeda Galaxy, and ends with teens who would never have crossed paths connecting under an August night. Along the way, Wayne also offers practical insights on how to view the shower yourself and the reasons behind its annual return.

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Garden Astronomer

00:53 – From Gold Dust to Suburban Skies in Arvada

02:47 – Comet Swift-Tuttle & The Perseids

03:38 – Counting the First Streaks of Light

04:18 – Uninvited Guests & Iron Maiden on the Lawn

06:55 – When Metalheads Turn Cosmologists

08:22 – Community Under the Clockwork Sky

10:20 – Trapped Flashlights & The Andromeda Galaxy

13:34 – Orion Rises & Changing Seasons

14:25 – Midnight Roof Climbers & Impromptu Observatory

16:45 – Farewell to the Night

17:22 – Practical Tips for Watching the Perseids

18:09 – Outro

]]> https://i0.wp.com/gardenastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Podcast-August-Nights-Thumbnail.jpg?fit=1444%2C1444&ssl=1 An August Night Under the Perseids false no 00:18:51 No no The Great Comet of 1882: Shattered by the Sun https://gardenastronomer.com/podcast/the-great-comet-of-1882-shattered-by-the-sun/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:30:00 +0000 e6813f18-0f50-535d-a19b-955bfd1520b3 We uncover the story of the Great Comet of 1882, so bright it was visible in broad daylight right beside the sun, only to shatter into pieces before the world's eyes. Step into the backyards, balloons, and observatories of astronomers and everyday witnesses who watched history's brightest comet crumble in real time.

]]> full 4 We uncover the story of the Great Comet of 1882, so bright it was visible in broad daylight right beside the sun, only to shatter into pieces before the world's eyes. Step into the backyards, balloons, and observatories of astronomers and everyday witnesses who watched history's brightest comet crumble in real time.

]]> https://i0.wp.com/gardenastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Great-Comet-1882-Podcast-Square.jpg?fit=2000%2C2000&ssl=1 The Great Comet of 1882: Shattered by the Sun false no 00:18:11 No no The Great 1913 Meteor Procession: The Night the Sky Unraveled https://gardenastronomer.com/podcast/the-great-1913-meteor-procession-the-night-the-sky-unraveled/ Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:54:06 +0000 a0a8bc78-7434-50fa-b38c-82c8675cb098 In February 1913, thousands of people across the Western Hemisphere witnessed a slow-motion cosmic parade of meteors grazing the atmosphere. In this episode, we dive into eyewitness accounts of that unforgettable night and explore the scientific research that revealed the truth behind the spectacle. It wasn't just a meteor shower. It was an awe-inspiring disintegration of Earth's forgotten "minimoon."

]]> full 3 In February 1913, thousands of people across the Western Hemisphere witnessed a slow-motion cosmic parade of meteors grazing the atmosphere. In this episode, we dive into eyewitness accounts of that unforgettable night and explore the scientific research that revealed the truth behind the spectacle. It wasn't just a meteor shower. It was an awe-inspiring disintegration of Earth's forgotten "minimoon."

]]> https://i0.wp.com/gardenastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1913-Meteor-Podcast-Thumbnail.jpg?fit=1800%2C1800&ssl=1 The Great 1913 Meteor Procession: The Night the Sky Unraveled false no 00:16:16 No no The Great Comet of 1811: Companion to a Shaking World https://gardenastronomer.com/podcast/the-great-comet-of-1811-companion-to-a-shaking-world/ Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:18:35 +0000 1b45721b-39a2-5d2a-8732-9b2789af357b Discover the history of the Great Comet of 1811. Visible to the naked eye for nine months, this spectacular comet mystified the globe, coincided with the terrifying New Madrid earthquakes, inspired Tecumseh and Napoleon, and even yielded a legendary wine vintage.

Visit the gardenastronomer.com to read the full article and see illustrations from this historical moment in astronomical history.

]]> full 2 Discover the history of the Great Comet of 1811. Visible to the naked eye for nine months, this spectacular comet mystified the globe, coincided with the terrifying New Madrid earthquakes, inspired Tecumseh and Napoleon, and even yielded a legendary wine vintage.

Visit the gardenastronomer.com to read the full article and see illustrations from this historical moment in astronomical history.

]]> https://i0.wp.com/gardenastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Comet-of-1811-Sqaure-Photo.jpg?fit=1500%2C1500&ssl=1 The Great Comet of 1811: Companion to a Shaking World false no 00:14:30 No no The Great Daylight Comet of 1910 https://gardenastronomer.com/podcast/the-great-daylight-comet-of-1910/ Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:20:11 +0000 https://gardenastronomer.com/?post_type=podcast&p=17166 In 1910, the world eagerly awaited the return of Halley’s Comet—but a sudden comet stole the show months earlier. Discover the incredible story of the Great January Comet, a celestial giant so exceptionally bright it could be seen blazing in broad daylight.

Visit the gardenastronomer.com to read the article and see photos from this historical moment.

]]> full 1 In 1910, the world eagerly awaited the return of Halley’s Comet—but a sudden comet stole the show months earlier. Discover the incredible story of the Great January Comet, a celestial giant so exceptionally bright it could be seen blazing in broad daylight.

Visit the gardenastronomer.com to read the article and see photos from this historical moment.

]]> https://i0.wp.com/gardenastronomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Great-Daylight-Comet-of-1910-Episode-Picture-1.jpg?fit=1800%2C1800&ssl=1 The Great Daylight Comet of 1910 false no 00:10:57 No no