PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the last week of October. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Turn your astronomical attention to the morning sky on the 25th.
RACHEL
There you’ll see Jupiter and Venus very close together in the low east.
PAUL
This should be a very attractive sight as both Jupiter and Venus are quite bright.
RACHEL
Mars is also there, so don’t forget about it.
PAUL
Mars will be the fainter yellowish star that’s not far below Jupiter and Venus.
RACHEL
Get your camera out as this could make a nice photograph.
PAUL
To record an image, mount your camera to a tripod and set its focus on infinity.
RACHEL
You need the tripod to hold your camera steady for the second or two it will take to record the image.
PAUL
The distance between Jupiter and Venus is just one degree, or about twice the width of the moon.
RACHEL
Whoa, on the morning of the 28th, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus will all fit within your binoculars at the same time.
PAUL
Go outside at around 6:00 AM to see them.
RACHEL
This should be very nice.
PAUL
Then on the evening of the 28th, you’ll find the moon forming a triangle of binocular objects with the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters.
RACHEL
The moon is normally a nice binocular object.
PAUL
However, when it’s full, it only shows maria and not the shadows of craters and mountains.
RACHEL
You’ll be surprised with how bright the full moon will appear in your binoculars.
PAUL
In fact, it will be difficult to see faint objects for a few minutes after looking at the full moon through binoculars.
RACHEL
So you’ll want to view the star clusters prior to looking at the moon.
PAUL
Normally you can only see about 6 stars in each of the star clusters without optical aid.
RACHEL
However, because of the increased light gathering ability of the binoculars, you’ll be able to see around two dozen stars per cluster.
PAUL
It surprises some people to hear that the aperture, or size of a telescope’s lens or mirror, is more important that its highest magnification.
RACHEL
There are a few exceptions, but this is generally true.
PAUL
So if you’re in the market for a telescope, get one with an easy to use mount and larger lens or mirror.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the last week of October. Next week the moon passes close to a bright star that’s orbited by a white dwarf.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Transcript for October 18th to 24th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the third week of October. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey, Capricornus the Sea-Goat has a clown nose on the 21st.
PAUL
Check out the moon in the low south after 8:30 PM and you’ll find the grim formed by Capricornus below it.
RACHEL
It’s bound to remind you of a smiling clown and his or her big red nose.
PAUL
What’s this Tropic of Capricorn that we’ve heard of before?
RACHEL
This is the name of the Earth’s line of latitude that’s 23.5 degrees south of the equator.
PAUL
Why is this so special?
RACHEL
Because on the first day of winter, the sun is located directly above this latitude.
PAUL
So why call it the Tropic of Capricorn?
RACHEL
Well, over 2,000 years ago, the sun was also located in the constellation of Capricornus on the day that it appeared overhead at -23.5 degrees latitude.
PAUL
Which is also the first day of the northern winter.
RACHEL
That’s right. The ancients named the southern most latitude of the sun after the constellation the sun was passing through.
PAUL
In the 2,000 years since then, the sun’s southernmost constellation has drifted from Capricornus to Sagittarius.
RACHEL
Yep, but no one wants to rename it the Tropic of Sagittarius.
PAUL
But if you can wait another 22,000 years, the sun will appear in the constellation of Aquarius the Water Bearer on the solstice.
RACHEL
Then we can begin celebrating the Age of Aquarius.
PAUL
The Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd.
RACHEL
The moon is first quarter this night, so its light will interfere some what with the meteors.
PAUL
However, the moon will set as Orion the Hunter and the meteor showers’ radiant rises in the southeast.
RACHEL
You might see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour from this shower from a dark sky location.
PAUL
The best observing comes from just lying back and looking up.
RACHEL
So get your reclining lawn chair and a warm sleeping bag and look up.
PAUL
You might also want a warm caffeinated beverage of your choice to help you keep awake...
RACHEL
...because you might still find yourself outside until after midnight watching meteors.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of October. Next week you can see Mars, Jupiter, and Venus at the same time in a pair of binoculars.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the third week of October. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey, Capricornus the Sea-Goat has a clown nose on the 21st.
PAUL
Check out the moon in the low south after 8:30 PM and you’ll find the grim formed by Capricornus below it.
RACHEL
It’s bound to remind you of a smiling clown and his or her big red nose.
PAUL
What’s this Tropic of Capricorn that we’ve heard of before?
RACHEL
This is the name of the Earth’s line of latitude that’s 23.5 degrees south of the equator.
PAUL
Why is this so special?
RACHEL
Because on the first day of winter, the sun is located directly above this latitude.
PAUL
So why call it the Tropic of Capricorn?
RACHEL
Well, over 2,000 years ago, the sun was also located in the constellation of Capricornus on the day that it appeared overhead at -23.5 degrees latitude.
PAUL
Which is also the first day of the northern winter.
RACHEL
That’s right. The ancients named the southern most latitude of the sun after the constellation the sun was passing through.
PAUL
In the 2,000 years since then, the sun’s southernmost constellation has drifted from Capricornus to Sagittarius.
RACHEL
Yep, but no one wants to rename it the Tropic of Sagittarius.
PAUL
But if you can wait another 22,000 years, the sun will appear in the constellation of Aquarius the Water Bearer on the solstice.
RACHEL
Then we can begin celebrating the Age of Aquarius.
PAUL
The Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd.
RACHEL
The moon is first quarter this night, so its light will interfere some what with the meteors.
PAUL
However, the moon will set as Orion the Hunter and the meteor showers’ radiant rises in the southeast.
RACHEL
You might see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour from this shower from a dark sky location.
PAUL
The best observing comes from just lying back and looking up.
RACHEL
So get your reclining lawn chair and a warm sleeping bag and look up.
PAUL
You might also want a warm caffeinated beverage of your choice to help you keep awake...
RACHEL
...because you might still find yourself outside until after midnight watching meteors.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of October. Next week you can see Mars, Jupiter, and Venus at the same time in a pair of binoculars.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 12, 2015
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 11th to 17th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the second week of October. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Jupiter is passing Mars the second week of October.
RACHEL
If you want to watch Jupiter as it sails pass Mars over the next few days, then check out the eastern horizon after 5:00 AM.
PAUL
And before 7:00 AM when the light of twilight begins to interfere.
RACHEL
The moon reappears in the night sky on the evening by the 16th.
PAUL
If you look in the low southwest at 8:30 PM, you’ll see a crescent moon just a little above Saturn.
RACHEL
Binoculars won’t show much detail on the moon yet, since it’s still a pretty thin crescent.
PAUL
However, you’ll probably see Earthshine illuminating the dark portion of the moon.
RACHEL
A small telescope or spotting scope will show the rings of Saturn and its largest moon, Titan.
PAUL
Currently the spacecraft Cassini is in orbit around Saturn.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, its supply of propellant is nearing empty.
PAUL
Without propellant, the spacecraft can’t adjust its orbit, even using the gravity of the Saturnian moons.
RACHEL
Cassini is thrifty with its propellant because it’s been using the gravity of Titan to modify its orbit.
PAUL
In another two years however, Cassini’s propellant tank will be empty.
RACHEL
Then the spacecraft will drift through the Saturnian system, possibly crashing into a potentially habitable moon.
PAUL
It’s possible that there are still some microbes stowing away on Cassini after nearly 20 years in space.
RACHEL
So to prevent them from contaminating Saturn’s satellites Titan and Enceladus, JPL is going to target the spacecraft to dive into Saturn’s atmosphere.
PAUL
There it will safely burn up like a meteor.
RACHEL
Jupiter is at its closest to Mars on the morning of the 17th.
PAUL
Their distance apart is less than ½ of a degree, or a bit smaller than the apparent diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Their distance apart in space is actually 355 million miles.
PAUL
That’s nearly four times the distance between Earth and the sun.
RACHEL
To see Mars and Jupiter close together, you’ll need to go outside after 4:30 AM.
PAUL
That’s when they’ll rise, so they’ll still be low at that time.
RACHEL
And before 7:00 AM.
PAUL
That’s when the sunlight will begin to brighten the sky.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the second week of October. Next week we’ll discus the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the second week of October. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Jupiter is passing Mars the second week of October.
RACHEL
If you want to watch Jupiter as it sails pass Mars over the next few days, then check out the eastern horizon after 5:00 AM.
PAUL
And before 7:00 AM when the light of twilight begins to interfere.
RACHEL
The moon reappears in the night sky on the evening by the 16th.
PAUL
If you look in the low southwest at 8:30 PM, you’ll see a crescent moon just a little above Saturn.
RACHEL
Binoculars won’t show much detail on the moon yet, since it’s still a pretty thin crescent.
PAUL
However, you’ll probably see Earthshine illuminating the dark portion of the moon.
RACHEL
A small telescope or spotting scope will show the rings of Saturn and its largest moon, Titan.
PAUL
Currently the spacecraft Cassini is in orbit around Saturn.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, its supply of propellant is nearing empty.
PAUL
Without propellant, the spacecraft can’t adjust its orbit, even using the gravity of the Saturnian moons.
RACHEL
Cassini is thrifty with its propellant because it’s been using the gravity of Titan to modify its orbit.
PAUL
In another two years however, Cassini’s propellant tank will be empty.
RACHEL
Then the spacecraft will drift through the Saturnian system, possibly crashing into a potentially habitable moon.
PAUL
It’s possible that there are still some microbes stowing away on Cassini after nearly 20 years in space.
RACHEL
So to prevent them from contaminating Saturn’s satellites Titan and Enceladus, JPL is going to target the spacecraft to dive into Saturn’s atmosphere.
PAUL
There it will safely burn up like a meteor.
RACHEL
Jupiter is at its closest to Mars on the morning of the 17th.
PAUL
Their distance apart is less than ½ of a degree, or a bit smaller than the apparent diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Their distance apart in space is actually 355 million miles.
PAUL
That’s nearly four times the distance between Earth and the sun.
RACHEL
To see Mars and Jupiter close together, you’ll need to go outside after 4:30 AM.
PAUL
That’s when they’ll rise, so they’ll still be low at that time.
RACHEL
And before 7:00 AM.
PAUL
That’s when the sunlight will begin to brighten the sky.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the second week of October. Next week we’ll discus the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Transcript for October 4th to 10th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of October. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon will help you find a large star cluster on the morning of the 6th.
PAUL
To find it, aim your binoculars at the moon, which you’ll find in the low east at 4:00 AM.
RACHEL
Then move your binoculars to the left by 1½ fields of view.
PAUL
You’ll then see the star cluster near the top of your binoculars.
RACHEL
The star cluster’s name is the Beehive because its stars resemble a swarm of bees around a hive.
PAUL
If you wake up by 5:30 AM on Thursday October 8th, you’ll see the thin crescent moon very near the brilliant Venus and the less brilliant star Regulus.
RACHEL
Venus is nearing the half full phase now, so a pair of binoculars won’t show it as anything but a bright point of light.
PAUL
But wait! The moon is still a nice binocular object and you should be able to see Earthshine on its dark hemisphere.
RACHEL
Better still, there are two additional planets visible that morning, Jupiter and Mars.
PAUL
Jupiter is the bright "star" closer to the horizon than Venus.
RACHEL
And Mars is the fainter "star" between Jupiter and Venus...
PAUL
...but closer to Jupiter.
RACHEL
You may see a faintly yellowish tint to Mars.
PAUL
The moon is not finished with the morning planets yet.
RACHEL
That’s right. On the morning of the 9th, the moon parks next to Mars.
PAUL
The planets Jupiter, Mars, and Venus along with the moon will span an angle of 12 degrees.
RACHEL
That’s small enough to cover them all with your outstretched palm.
PAUL
When your arm is fully extended.
RACHEL
You might be able to see Earthshine once more on the morning of the 10th if you go outside by 6:30 AM.
PAUL
However, it’s even better is to wait until around 6:50 AM when Mercury rises.
RACHEL
Mercury will appear as a star as far below the moon as Jupiter is above the moon.
PAUL
This means you’ll see, from the horizon going up, Mercury, the thin crescent moon, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus.
RACHEL
The heart of Leo the Lion, Regulus is the star next to Venus.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of October. Next week we’ll tell you were to see Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of October. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon will help you find a large star cluster on the morning of the 6th.
PAUL
To find it, aim your binoculars at the moon, which you’ll find in the low east at 4:00 AM.
RACHEL
Then move your binoculars to the left by 1½ fields of view.
PAUL
You’ll then see the star cluster near the top of your binoculars.
RACHEL
The star cluster’s name is the Beehive because its stars resemble a swarm of bees around a hive.
PAUL
If you wake up by 5:30 AM on Thursday October 8th, you’ll see the thin crescent moon very near the brilliant Venus and the less brilliant star Regulus.
RACHEL
Venus is nearing the half full phase now, so a pair of binoculars won’t show it as anything but a bright point of light.
PAUL
But wait! The moon is still a nice binocular object and you should be able to see Earthshine on its dark hemisphere.
RACHEL
Better still, there are two additional planets visible that morning, Jupiter and Mars.
PAUL
Jupiter is the bright "star" closer to the horizon than Venus.
RACHEL
And Mars is the fainter "star" between Jupiter and Venus...
PAUL
...but closer to Jupiter.
RACHEL
You may see a faintly yellowish tint to Mars.
PAUL
The moon is not finished with the morning planets yet.
RACHEL
That’s right. On the morning of the 9th, the moon parks next to Mars.
PAUL
The planets Jupiter, Mars, and Venus along with the moon will span an angle of 12 degrees.
RACHEL
That’s small enough to cover them all with your outstretched palm.
PAUL
When your arm is fully extended.
RACHEL
You might be able to see Earthshine once more on the morning of the 10th if you go outside by 6:30 AM.
PAUL
However, it’s even better is to wait until around 6:50 AM when Mercury rises.
RACHEL
Mercury will appear as a star as far below the moon as Jupiter is above the moon.
PAUL
This means you’ll see, from the horizon going up, Mercury, the thin crescent moon, Jupiter, Mars, and Venus.
RACHEL
The heart of Leo the Lion, Regulus is the star next to Venus.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of October. Next week we’ll tell you were to see Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
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