StarDate facts for kids
Logo for the StarDate radio program
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| Country of origin | United States |
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| Language(s) | English, Spanish |
| Starring | Billy Henry |
| Created by | Deborah Byrd |
| Recording studio | Austin, Texas |
| Original release | 1977 – present |
StarDate is a popular science radio program that helps people learn about space. It comes from the University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory. You can hear it on over 360 radio stations across the United States.
Each StarDate episode is a short, two-minute guide to the night sky. It also shares the latest news about space and astronomy. It's often played during regular radio shows without a special introduction. StarDate is the longest-running science show on U.S. radio.
Contents
What is StarDate?
StarDate is a daily radio show that teaches listeners about the universe. It covers topics like planets, stars, galaxies, and new discoveries in space. The show is designed to be easy to understand for everyone.
How StarDate Began
The idea for StarDate started in 1977 with a telephone hotline. People could call in to hear short messages about astronomy. These messages were written by science journalist Deborah Byrd at the McDonald Observatory.
A radio producer heard these messages and thought they would make a great radio show. For about a year, the show was called "Have You Seen the Stars Tonight?". This name was a nod to a famous song.
With support from Harlan James Smith, the director of McDonald Observatory, and funding from the National Science Foundation, the show grew. Deborah Byrd changed its name to StarDate in 1979. The new name was inspired by the "stardate" term from the TV show Star Trek. Soon after, StarDate began to be heard on radio stations all over the country.
The Show's Unique Style
StarDate is known for its quick and calm way of sharing information. It feels like a daily diary entry about space. This style makes it easy for radio stations to play the show during their regular programs.
Who Makes StarDate?
Many talented people have helped create StarDate over the years.
Early Producers and Hosts
From its start, Deborah Byrd produced StarDate. Joel Block was the host, the voice you heard on the radio. They worked together until 1991.
After leaving StarDate, Deborah Byrd and Joel Block started another radio series called Earth & Sky. This show was also very popular and aired from 1991 to 2013. It was heard on about 1,000 radio stations.
StarDate's Current Team
Since 1991, Damond Benningfield has been the producer of StarDate. The show's host was Sandy Wood for many years. Sandy Wood was a well-known radio personality from San Antonio. She was also one of the first female disc jockeys in the southwestern United States.
Sandy Wood retired on July 16, 2019. Now, the host of StarDate is Billy Henry. Billy Henry is a musician and educator who lives in Austin, Texas. [1]
Where to Hear StarDate
StarDate is broadcast on about 300 radio stations. These include stations that are part of CBS Radio and National Public Radio. You can also listen to StarDate as a downloadable podcast.
Universo: The Spanish Version
For Spanish-speaking listeners, there is a version of the show called Universo. This Spanish language program first aired on April 1, 1995.
StarDate Magazine
Besides the radio show, there is also StarDate Magazine. It started in 1972 as McDonald Observatory News. In 1988, it became a magazine published every two months.
