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Western Slope Skies
Published every other Friday morning after 8:10 am broadcast.

A bi-weekly short feature on astronomy, produced by members of the Black Canyon Astronomical Society.

Link for podcast apps:
https://www.kvnf.org/podcast/western-slope-skies/rss.xml

Latest Episodes
  • Nature operates on an intricate and precise schedule, guided by circadian rhythms—internal biological clocks that regulate sleep, activity, feeding, and reproduction. These rhythms are not only essential for human health but are also fundamental to the behavior of migratory birds, pollinators, and even the crops we cultivate. Understanding these natural cycles is crucial, particularly in rural communities where agriculture and wildlife conservation are deeply interconnected.
  • We live in a world that rarely slows down—late-night work, glowing screens, and irregular schedules have become the norm. But what if I told you that constantly ignoring your body’s natural rhythms could put you at risk for serious diseases, including heart disease and breast cancer? The key to understanding this lies in our circadian rhythm—our body’s internal 24-hour clock that regulates sleep, metabolism, and cellular repair among other bodily processes.
  • On the night of March 13 to 14, the Moon will move through Earth’s shadow, creating a total lunar eclipse that is visible from Colorado.
  • Planetary alignment is a phenomenon where other planets in our solar system align from Earth’s perspective. It is a rare event with some alignments occurring once in 100 years.
  • For those of us living away from our larger cities and towns, the West Slopearea from Grand Junction south to Cortez is one of the darkest places onEarth where people live. We know that by experience but that darkness hasbeen measured by satellites.
  • My whole life I’ve been asked the daunting question that seemed to put my whole belief system on trial. Aliens, were they real or not? If I had said yes, I was crazy, a conspiracy theorist who didn’t know the difference between fictional video game characters and real life. But if I had said no, I’d be shutting down the entire possibility of there being something more to life than just what my little planet has to offer.
  • 2025’s almost here, and in astronomy, a lot will be happening.
  • Today dark skies are dwindling world-wide thanks to a dramatic increase in light pollution effects. Much like wildlife that once roamed this country extensively but were later pushed to protected areas like national parks for survival, our darkest skies now mostly remain above public lands.
  • Our galaxy is made up of billions of stars, gas, and dust, and it’s truly something astonishing to see and be a part of.
  • Astrology and astronomy – the words sound so similar. So why do you get such a stink-eye from your friend the astronomer when you call her an astrologer?