PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the last week of November. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On the night before Thanksgiving or the 25th, you’ll find the moon slowly drifting through the far edges of the Hyades star cluster
RACHEL
It will be the full moon that night.
PAUL
And the full moon and the entire Hyades star cluster will fit within the view of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Of course the moon’s light will wash out some of the fainter members of the Hyades
PAUL
However, it can’t wash out one star, Aldebaran.
RACHEL
Aldebaran will appear as the orangish star to the left of the moon.
PAUL
It’s the brightest star of Taurus the Bull and represents its eye.
RACHEL
Aldebaran is actually a foreground star and not a part of the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
In fact, Aldebaran is over 80 light years closer to Earth than the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
On the night of Thanksgiving...
PAUL
...which will be the 26th...
RACHEL
The moon will help you locate Orion the Hunter and its great nebula.
PAUL
To locate Orion, look below the moon for a tall rectangle of bright stars.
RACHEL
These are the four stars outlining the body of Orion.
PAUL
Then look across his waist for a horizontal line of three stars.
RACHEL
These are Orion’s belt.
PAUL
His belt really stands out since it consists of three bright stars very close together.
RACHEL
Hanging down from the middle star of his belt is a vertical row of two or three stars.
PAUL
The stars are his sword and you should scan it with your binoculars.
RACHEL
The second star will not appear star-like.
PAUL
Instead, it will be fuzzy and impossible to focus into a pin point of light.
RACHEL
That fuzzy spot is the Orion Nebula.
PAUL
It’s the closest large star-forming regions in the galaxy.
RACHEL
And a wonderful target for telescopes, according to our usually reliable Earth sources.
PAUL
Through a small telescope and binoculars, it appears as white fuzzy cloud.
RACHEL
When viewed through a larger sized amateur telescope, it takes on a greenish appearance.
PAUL
What? Green?
RACHEL
Yes green. The green is light emitted by ionized oxygen atoms inside the nebula.
PAUL
In fact, the source of the green color was a mystery for decades.
RACHEL
That’s because it’s very difficult to recreate conditions inside the Orion nebula in an Earth laboratory.
PAUL
Are you interested in learning to identify Gemini?
RACHEL
Then you have a perfect opportunity on the night of the 27th.
PAUL
Tell me more.
RACHEL
First, find the moon. In fact you can’t miss it.
PAUL
The stars of Gemini will appear as a parallel row above the moon.
RACHEL
And the brightest two stars of Gemini are located to the left of the moon.
PAUL
And if you listened to Idaho Skies the first week of this month, you’ll remember their names are Castor and Pollux.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the last week of November. You’ll find the moon and Jupiter close together next week and that’s just perfect for your binoculars.
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, November 16, 2015
Transcript for November 15 to 21
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the third week of November. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
You can easily locate the constellation of Capricornus the Sea-Goat on the 17th.
PAUL
It’s best however, if you’re away from city lights since Capricornus doesn’t contain very bright stars.
RACHEL
The way you’ll find it is by first locating the moon.
PAUL
It’s passing through the top of the constellation tonight and tomorrow.
RACHEL
And located on the right side of the constellation on the night of the 17th.
PAUL
The constellation is 50% wider than your extended thumb and fist when viewed from the end of your outstretched arm
RACHEL
And it looks a lot like a big Jack-o-Lantern grin.
PAUL
Later on the night of the 17th, Leo the Lion rises.
RACHEL
This is important because the Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of the 17th and morning of the 18th.
PAUL
Leonid meteors will appear to originate from Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
Because that’s the location of the point of intersection between the orbits of Earth and the Leonid meteor stream.
PAUL
The moon’s not even first quarter on the 17th, so its light won’t interfere with the shower.
RACHEL
Therefore, you can expect to see over a dozen meteors per hour from this shower under dark skies.
PAUL
Leonid meteors are the debris from a comet named Tempel-Tuttle.
RACHEL
Tempel-Tuttle?
PAUL
Yep, Tempel-Tuttle. It was discovered by astronomers Ernest Tempel and Horace Tuttle in late 1865 and early 1866.
RACHEL
Back then, astronomers couldn’t communicate their discoveries very quickly, so Tuttle was unaware that Tempel had discovered the comet the previous month.
PAUL
Comet Tempel-Tuttle orbits the sun once every 33 years.
RACHEL
And until recently, that meant every 33 years the Leonid meteor shower created a more intense meteor shower than on average.
PAUL
In fact, people were afraid it was the end of the world in 1833 because of the intensity of the shower.
RACHEL
It’s estimated over 1,000 meters per hour were visible.
PAUL
And in the dark night skies of 1833, a shower of that many meteors must have looked like the stars were literally falling out of the sky.
RACHEL
The Solitary One or Fomalhaut is the brightest star below the moon on the 19th.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is a star 25 light years away.
RACHEL
So the light you see tonight left in 1990.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is also a young star.
RACHEL
So young in fact that it’s still surrounded by the disk of dust and gas that it formed from.
PAUL
The Hubble Space Telescope shows there’s a large planet forming in the outer regions of this infant solar system.
RACHEL
Other planets are probably forming right now closer to the star.
PAUL
However, as they’re forming, the star’s ultraviolet radiation and solar wind are also blowing the dust and gas away.
RACHEL
So it’s a race against time.
PAUL
Perhaps there’s still time for Earth-like planets to form around Fomalhaut before it’s too late.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of November. Get your binoculars out because the moon will help you find the Great Orion Nebula next week.
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 November. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
You can easily locate the constellation of Capricornus the Sea-Goat on the 17th.
PAUL
It’s best however, if you’re away from city lights since Capricornus doesn’t contain very bright stars.
RACHEL
The way you’ll find it is by first locating the moon.
PAUL
It’s passing through the top of the constellation tonight and tomorrow.
RACHEL
And located on the right side of the constellation on the night of the 17th.
PAUL
The constellation is 50% wider than your extended thumb and fist when viewed from the end of your outstretched arm
RACHEL
And it looks a lot like a big Jack-o-Lantern grin.
PAUL
Later on the night of the 17th, Leo the Lion rises.
RACHEL
This is important because the Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of the 17th and morning of the 18th.
PAUL
Leonid meteors will appear to originate from Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
Because that’s the location of the point of intersection between the orbits of Earth and the Leonid meteor stream.
PAUL
The moon’s not even first quarter on the 17th, so its light won’t interfere with the shower.
RACHEL
Therefore, you can expect to see over a dozen meteors per hour from this shower under dark skies.
PAUL
Leonid meteors are the debris from a comet named Tempel-Tuttle.
RACHEL
Tempel-Tuttle?
PAUL
Yep, Tempel-Tuttle. It was discovered by astronomers Ernest Tempel and Horace Tuttle in late 1865 and early 1866.
RACHEL
Back then, astronomers couldn’t communicate their discoveries very quickly, so Tuttle was unaware that Tempel had discovered the comet the previous month.
PAUL
Comet Tempel-Tuttle orbits the sun once every 33 years.
RACHEL
And until recently, that meant every 33 years the Leonid meteor shower created a more intense meteor shower than on average.
PAUL
In fact, people were afraid it was the end of the world in 1833 because of the intensity of the shower.
RACHEL
It’s estimated over 1,000 meters per hour were visible.
PAUL
And in the dark night skies of 1833, a shower of that many meteors must have looked like the stars were literally falling out of the sky.
RACHEL
The Solitary One or Fomalhaut is the brightest star below the moon on the 19th.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is a star 25 light years away.
RACHEL
So the light you see tonight left in 1990.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is also a young star.
RACHEL
So young in fact that it’s still surrounded by the disk of dust and gas that it formed from.
PAUL
The Hubble Space Telescope shows there’s a large planet forming in the outer regions of this infant solar system.
RACHEL
Other planets are probably forming right now closer to the star.
PAUL
However, as they’re forming, the star’s ultraviolet radiation and solar wind are also blowing the dust and gas away.
RACHEL
So it’s a race against time.
PAUL
Perhaps there’s still time for Earth-like planets to form around Fomalhaut before it’s too late.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of November. Get your binoculars out because the moon will help you find the Great Orion Nebula next week.
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, November 9, 2015
Transcipt: 8 - 14 November
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the second week of November. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Listeners have an opportunity to see Earthshine and three planets on the 8th.
RACHEL
You’ll need to go out by 5:00 AM, however.
PAUL
Look in the low east and you’ll see the following, going up from the horizon.
RACHEL
The moon...
PAUL
Venus...
RACHEL
Mars...
PAUL
And finally Jupiter.
RACHEL
The four largest satellites of Jupiter appear near the extremes of their orbits.
PAUL
So your binoculars could potentially show all four of the Galilean satellites.
RACHEL
In binoculars, the satellites will form a line going from the bottom left to the upper right.
PAUL
From the bottom left and going up to the right, the moons are Ganymede, Io...
RACHEL
...then Jupiter...
PAUL
...followed by Europa and finally Callisto.
RACHEL
Europa will be the closest to Jupiter and the most difficult to see.
PAUL
However, a small telescope will show you Europa even if binoculars can’t.
RACHEL
Be aware however that the order of the satellites will be flipped if you look at them through your telescope.
PAUL
If you missed seeing Earthshine on the 8th, you have another chance beginning on the 13th or 14th.
RACHEL
Do you remember that last week the moon pointed out two bright stars with white dwarf companions?
PAUL
Sure, but what exactly are white dwarf stars?
RACHEL
They’re old stars with mass, or weight, too low to generate enough heat and pressure to fuse carbon and oxygen into heavier elements.
PAUL
Recall that stars use their mass to squeeze the hydrogen in their cores into helium.
RACHEL
After fusing a lot of its hydrogen into helium, most stars generate enough heat and pressure to convert that helium into carbon and oxygen.
PAUL
However, white dwarf stars can’t create enough heat and pressure to fuse that carbon and oxygen in their cores into even heavier elements.
RACHEL
Since they can no longer fuse elements, they no longer have an internal energy source.
PAUL
So they collapse until the repulsion between electrons is the only thing supporting their weight.
RACHEL
That collapse turns a star the size of the sun...
PAUL
Which is about 800,000 miles across...
RACHEL
...into a star the size of Earth...
PAUL
Which is 8,000 miles across.
RACHEL
That means white dwarfs are very dense.
PAUL
In fact, a piece of white dwarf the size of a sugar cube would weigh as much as a car.
RACHEL
Over billions of years, white dwarf stars cool until we can no longer see them.
PAUL
And this is the fate of 97% of the stars in our galaxy.
RACHEL
Including our sun.
PAUL
But have no fear, that won’t happen for another five billion years.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the second week of November. Next week Earth passes though the debris tail of a comet and we’ll tell you what that means for Idahoans.
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 November. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Listeners have an opportunity to see Earthshine and three planets on the 8th.
RACHEL
You’ll need to go out by 5:00 AM, however.
PAUL
Look in the low east and you’ll see the following, going up from the horizon.
RACHEL
The moon...
PAUL
Venus...
RACHEL
Mars...
PAUL
And finally Jupiter.
RACHEL
The four largest satellites of Jupiter appear near the extremes of their orbits.
PAUL
So your binoculars could potentially show all four of the Galilean satellites.
RACHEL
In binoculars, the satellites will form a line going from the bottom left to the upper right.
PAUL
From the bottom left and going up to the right, the moons are Ganymede, Io...
RACHEL
...then Jupiter...
PAUL
...followed by Europa and finally Callisto.
RACHEL
Europa will be the closest to Jupiter and the most difficult to see.
PAUL
However, a small telescope will show you Europa even if binoculars can’t.
RACHEL
Be aware however that the order of the satellites will be flipped if you look at them through your telescope.
PAUL
If you missed seeing Earthshine on the 8th, you have another chance beginning on the 13th or 14th.
RACHEL
Do you remember that last week the moon pointed out two bright stars with white dwarf companions?
PAUL
Sure, but what exactly are white dwarf stars?
RACHEL
They’re old stars with mass, or weight, too low to generate enough heat and pressure to fuse carbon and oxygen into heavier elements.
PAUL
Recall that stars use their mass to squeeze the hydrogen in their cores into helium.
RACHEL
After fusing a lot of its hydrogen into helium, most stars generate enough heat and pressure to convert that helium into carbon and oxygen.
PAUL
However, white dwarf stars can’t create enough heat and pressure to fuse that carbon and oxygen in their cores into even heavier elements.
RACHEL
Since they can no longer fuse elements, they no longer have an internal energy source.
PAUL
So they collapse until the repulsion between electrons is the only thing supporting their weight.
RACHEL
That collapse turns a star the size of the sun...
PAUL
Which is about 800,000 miles across...
RACHEL
...into a star the size of Earth...
PAUL
Which is 8,000 miles across.
RACHEL
That means white dwarfs are very dense.
PAUL
In fact, a piece of white dwarf the size of a sugar cube would weigh as much as a car.
RACHEL
Over billions of years, white dwarf stars cool until we can no longer see them.
PAUL
And this is the fate of 97% of the stars in our galaxy.
RACHEL
Including our sun.
PAUL
But have no fear, that won’t happen for another five billion years.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the second week of November. Next week Earth passes though the debris tail of a comet and we’ll tell you what that means for Idahoans.
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.
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 1st to the 8th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of November. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey! The waning gibbous moon passes below the Gemini Twins on the night of the 1st.
PAUL
So if you were trying to learn how to identify this constellation, the 1st would be the perfect night.
RACHEL
There are two stars that really stand out in Gemini.
PAUL
They’re Castor and Pollux, the names of the Gemini Twins.
RACHEL
How can our listeners tell the difference between them?
PAUL
Easy, Pollux is the slightly brighter of the pair.
RACHEL
If you know someone 34 years old this year, then Pollux is his or her birthday star.
PAUL
That’s because it’s 34 light years away.
RACHEL
And Castor is the birthday star this year for any of your friends who are 52 years old.
PAUL
The moon will help you find a star orbited by a white dwarf on the 2nd.
RACHEL
The star is located to the lower right of the moon and its name is Procyon.
PAUL
Procyon means before the dog.
RACHEL
What is this dog and its name refers to?
PAUL
Why it’s Sirius, the dog star of Canis Major.
RACHEL
That’s right. Do you know why it got this name?
PAUL
Because from mid-northern latitudes, Procyon rises before Sirius, and therefore heralds its rising.
RACHEL
Both Sirius and Procyon have something in common; they both have white dwarf companions.
PAUL
White dwarfs are stars at the end of their stellar lives.
RACHEL
And we’ll tell you more on white dwarfs next week.
PAUL
You can easily locate two star clusters on the morning of the 3rd, if you’ll let the moon be your guide.
RACHEL
The first star cluster is called the Beehive and its only six degrees away from the moon.
PAUL
Which is just over one binocular field of view away.
RACHEL
To see this nice star cluster, aim your binoculars at the moon and then shift your view northward.
PAUL
That’s also straight up the terminator of the moon.
RACHEL
Just after the moon leaves the field of view, the Beehive will enter in the upper right hand edge.
PAUL
The second star cluster is M-67 and it’s a bit smaller and more difficult to see.
RACHEL
However, it’s within the same field of view as the moon, so it’s even easier to find than the Beehive
PAUL
To find this star cluster, place the moon in the center of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Then look for a smaller clump of stars near the bottom of the view.
PAUL
Once you find it, shift the moon out of your vision.
RACHEL
That way the moon’s light won’t interfere with the cluster.
PAUL
There’s a very nice grouping between the planets and the moon on the morning of the 6th.
RACHEL
To see them, go outside at around 5:00 AM or before you leave for work.
PAUL
You’ll see the moon next to Jupiter, which will appear as a bright star.
RACHEL
Below the moon is even brighter Venus.
PAUL
And just above Venus is Mars, which is slightly yellowish in color.
RACHEL
The moon’s not finished with the planets yet.
PAUL
That’s right; it’s next to Venus and Mars on the morning of the 7th.
RACHEL
They’ll be close enough together that all three can be seen together in binoculars.
PAUL
And be sure to look for any Earthshine illuminating the dark portion of the moon.
RACHEL
You might even see some lunar details in the Earth’s reflected sunlight.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of November. Next week the moon meets up with the three morning planets.
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 November. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey! The waning gibbous moon passes below the Gemini Twins on the night of the 1st.
PAUL
So if you were trying to learn how to identify this constellation, the 1st would be the perfect night.
RACHEL
There are two stars that really stand out in Gemini.
PAUL
They’re Castor and Pollux, the names of the Gemini Twins.
RACHEL
How can our listeners tell the difference between them?
PAUL
Easy, Pollux is the slightly brighter of the pair.
RACHEL
If you know someone 34 years old this year, then Pollux is his or her birthday star.
PAUL
That’s because it’s 34 light years away.
RACHEL
And Castor is the birthday star this year for any of your friends who are 52 years old.
PAUL
The moon will help you find a star orbited by a white dwarf on the 2nd.
RACHEL
The star is located to the lower right of the moon and its name is Procyon.
PAUL
Procyon means before the dog.
RACHEL
What is this dog and its name refers to?
PAUL
Why it’s Sirius, the dog star of Canis Major.
RACHEL
That’s right. Do you know why it got this name?
PAUL
Because from mid-northern latitudes, Procyon rises before Sirius, and therefore heralds its rising.
RACHEL
Both Sirius and Procyon have something in common; they both have white dwarf companions.
PAUL
White dwarfs are stars at the end of their stellar lives.
RACHEL
And we’ll tell you more on white dwarfs next week.
PAUL
You can easily locate two star clusters on the morning of the 3rd, if you’ll let the moon be your guide.
RACHEL
The first star cluster is called the Beehive and its only six degrees away from the moon.
PAUL
Which is just over one binocular field of view away.
RACHEL
To see this nice star cluster, aim your binoculars at the moon and then shift your view northward.
PAUL
That’s also straight up the terminator of the moon.
RACHEL
Just after the moon leaves the field of view, the Beehive will enter in the upper right hand edge.
PAUL
The second star cluster is M-67 and it’s a bit smaller and more difficult to see.
RACHEL
However, it’s within the same field of view as the moon, so it’s even easier to find than the Beehive
PAUL
To find this star cluster, place the moon in the center of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Then look for a smaller clump of stars near the bottom of the view.
PAUL
Once you find it, shift the moon out of your vision.
RACHEL
That way the moon’s light won’t interfere with the cluster.
PAUL
There’s a very nice grouping between the planets and the moon on the morning of the 6th.
RACHEL
To see them, go outside at around 5:00 AM or before you leave for work.
PAUL
You’ll see the moon next to Jupiter, which will appear as a bright star.
RACHEL
Below the moon is even brighter Venus.
PAUL
And just above Venus is Mars, which is slightly yellowish in color.
RACHEL
The moon’s not finished with the planets yet.
PAUL
That’s right; it’s next to Venus and Mars on the morning of the 7th.
RACHEL
They’ll be close enough together that all three can be seen together in binoculars.
PAUL
And be sure to look for any Earthshine illuminating the dark portion of the moon.
RACHEL
You might even see some lunar details in the Earth’s reflected sunlight.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of November. Next week the moon meets up with the three morning planets.
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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