PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the last week of May. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
You can find the heart of Leo the Lion above the moon on the 24th.
RACHEL
The star’s name is Regulus and it has a diameter about four times larger than the sun.
PAUL
One of the most amazing properties of Regulus is that it rotates once on its axis in just 16 hours.
RACHEL
That’s incredibly fast when you consider that the sun takes 30 days to rotate once.
PAUL
Because Regulus rotates 45 times faster than the sun, its poles are noticeably flattened.
RACHEL
And its equator budges outward.
PAUL
Straight above the moon on the 26th is the second brightest star of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
The star’s name is Denebola, which means tail in Arabic.
PAUL
Denebola is a guidepost to a large, but sparse star cluster.
RACHEL
So get your binoculars out and trace a straight line from the moon to Denebola.
PAUL
Then extend that line the same distance again.
RACHEL
You’ll run smack dab into a very large and spread out star cluster.
PAUL
The name of the star cluster is MEL-111.
RACHEL
The star cluster is 280 light years away, so the light you see tonight left in the year 1735.
PAUL
There are at least 40 stars in the cluster and you should see at least half of them simultaneously through your binoculars.
RACHEL
You’ll notice that they form a distinctive V shape.
PAUL
The brightest star of Virgo is at the right side of the moon on the 29th.
RACHEL
That’s Spica, right?
PAUL
Yep. Unfortunately, there’s a problem here.
RACHEL
Is it because Virgo is a large and dim constellation?
PAUL
That’s correct. So this leaves Spica in a rather lonely region of the sky.
RACHEL
But have no fear, just look farther to the lower right of the moon.
PAUL
That’s where you’ll see a warped square of four stars.
RACHEL
These stars form the constellation of Corvus the Crow.
PAUL
The star in the upper left corner of Corvus is named Algorab.
RACHEL
That means the crow in Arabic.
PAUL
Look closely at Algorab and you’ll see a second star close to its upper left.
RACHEL
These two stars make Algorab look like a double star.
PAUL
However, they’re actually 30 light years apart and only appear close together in Earth’s sky.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the last week of May. Join us next month for the space and astronomy events for Idaho.
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.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Monday, May 18, 2015
Transcript for May 17 to 23
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the third week of May. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reappears in the evening skies beginning on the 20th.
PAUL
That means it’s a good time to start moon watching.
RACHEL
The moon’s thin crescent will be an attractive sight for your binoculars.
PAUL
And be sure to look for Earthshine on the left side of the moon.
RACHEL
The moon is approaching Venus or the Evening Star later this week.
PAUL
Their closest approach is on the 21st.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, the distance between them is too great to observe both at the same time in binoculars.
PAUL
However, they’ll still worth a peek.
RACHEL
Venus will be located to the right of the crescent moon.
PAUL
In a telescope, you’ll be able to see that Venus is a half crescent shape.
RACHEL
Over the next two months, Venus will grow larger and become a thinner crescent.
PAUL
Venus is so bright that its glare makes it nearly impossible to see its shape clearly after it gets dark
RACHEL
That means the best time to see the shape of Venus is shortly after sunset and before the sky gets dark.
PAUL
Saturn reaches opposition on the 23rd.
RACHEL
At opposition, a planet like Saturn appears opposite the sun in our sky.
PAUL
So look for a slightly creamy-white star in the low south-southeast after it gets dark.
RACHEL
Unlike the surrounding stars, Saturn will not twinkle.
PAUL
Below Saturn, you’ll see a slightly dimmer but orangish star.
RACHEL
The star is Antares, which the Greeks named after the god of war, Ares.
PAUL
The pair makes a nice contrast in color.
RACHEL
The moon approaches so close to Jupiter on the 23rd that you can see both simultaneously in binoculars.
PAUL
Concentrate your attention on Jupiter and you’ll notice that a retinue of moons accompanies it.
RACHEL
Through your binoculars, you should be able to detect Europa on the left side of Jupiter and Callisto on the right side
PAUL
A telescope or spotting scope with higher magnification will reveal the satellite Io located between Europa and Jupiter.
RACHEL
Closer to the moon on the 23rd and located to its right is a star cluster named M-67.
PAUL
Astronomers estimate that this star cluster is 5 billion years old, which makes it slightly older than the sun.
RACHEL
M-67 is visible in binoculars, but appears mostly as a fuzzy spot.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of May. Next week the moon travels through a lonely part of the sky and we’ll tell you about some of the landmarks you can see.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com. For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the third week of May. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reappears in the evening skies beginning on the 20th.
PAUL
That means it’s a good time to start moon watching.
RACHEL
The moon’s thin crescent will be an attractive sight for your binoculars.
PAUL
And be sure to look for Earthshine on the left side of the moon.
RACHEL
The moon is approaching Venus or the Evening Star later this week.
PAUL
Their closest approach is on the 21st.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, the distance between them is too great to observe both at the same time in binoculars.
PAUL
However, they’ll still worth a peek.
RACHEL
Venus will be located to the right of the crescent moon.
PAUL
In a telescope, you’ll be able to see that Venus is a half crescent shape.
RACHEL
Over the next two months, Venus will grow larger and become a thinner crescent.
PAUL
Venus is so bright that its glare makes it nearly impossible to see its shape clearly after it gets dark
RACHEL
That means the best time to see the shape of Venus is shortly after sunset and before the sky gets dark.
PAUL
Saturn reaches opposition on the 23rd.
RACHEL
At opposition, a planet like Saturn appears opposite the sun in our sky.
PAUL
So look for a slightly creamy-white star in the low south-southeast after it gets dark.
RACHEL
Unlike the surrounding stars, Saturn will not twinkle.
PAUL
Below Saturn, you’ll see a slightly dimmer but orangish star.
RACHEL
The star is Antares, which the Greeks named after the god of war, Ares.
PAUL
The pair makes a nice contrast in color.
RACHEL
The moon approaches so close to Jupiter on the 23rd that you can see both simultaneously in binoculars.
PAUL
Concentrate your attention on Jupiter and you’ll notice that a retinue of moons accompanies it.
RACHEL
Through your binoculars, you should be able to detect Europa on the left side of Jupiter and Callisto on the right side
PAUL
A telescope or spotting scope with higher magnification will reveal the satellite Io located between Europa and Jupiter.
RACHEL
Closer to the moon on the 23rd and located to its right is a star cluster named M-67.
PAUL
Astronomers estimate that this star cluster is 5 billion years old, which makes it slightly older than the sun.
RACHEL
M-67 is visible in binoculars, but appears mostly as a fuzzy spot.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of May. Next week the moon travels through a lonely part of the sky and we’ll tell you about some of the landmarks you can see.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com. For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, May 11, 2015
Transcript for May 10 - 16
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of May. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Earth passes through the thickest part of a meteor stream on the 5th.
PAUL
Its debris left behind by the famous Comet Halley.
RACHEL
Astronomers call the meteor shower the Eta Aquarids.
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the second week of May. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon is approaching new again on the 14th and 15th.
RACHEL
That means these are good mornings to see the thin crescent moon.
PAUL
Look for the moon in the low east as you drive to work at 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
And make sure you look for earthshine on the moon.
PAUL
The light of earthshine will help fill in the dark right side of the moon.
RACHEL
Use your binoculars and you should be able to make out some lunar details in the faint light.
PAUL
Did you know that astronomers discovered Pluto in 1930?
RACHEL
However, it wasn’t until 1978 that astronomers discovered it had a satellite.
PAUL
Then ten years ago on the 15th, astronomers discovered two additional moons of Pluto.
RACHEL
Astronomers named the moons Nix and Hydra.
PAUL
Is that because of New Horizons?
RACHEL
Yep, the N and H in Nix and Hydra were chosen for the N and H in New Horizons.
PAUL
New Horizons is the American spacecraft rapidly approaching Pluto.
RACHEL
Pluto has never been explored by spacecraft.
PAUL
So the New Horizons is our first chance to see this enigmatic world close up.
RACHEL
That means it’s important that New Horizons doesn’t collide with an unknown moon as its approaches Pluto.
PAUL
Because of its ability to detect faint objects, astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to search for potentially threatening moons.
RACHEL
In addition to Nix and Hydra, Hubble has also discovered the moons Styx and Kerberos.
PAUL
How could tiny Pluto have five moons?
RACHEL
Astronomers believe Pluto was struck by a passing object early in its history.
PAUL
The whack was similar to the one Earth suffered over four billion years ago.
RACHEL
The impact with Pluto resulted in a debris field orbiting the tiny body.
PAUL
Over time, some debris collapsed back onto to Pluto and the rest coalesced into five new moons.
RACHEL
The largest was Charon, which is about half the size of Pluto.
PAUL
One danger for New Horizons comes from debris that may not have formed a moon.
RACHEL
That’s right; some of it may have formed a dark ring around Pluto.
PAUL
So now, New Horizons is taking images of the Plutonian system in search of possible new hazards.
RACHEL
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for July 14th.
PAUL
That’s when the New Horizons will make a high speed flyby of Pluto.
RACHEL
By the way, Nix is the Greek goddess of the night...
PAUL
...Hydra is a multi-headed serpent-like monster that Hercules killed...
RACHEL
...Styx is the Greek ferryman of the dead...
PAUL
...and Kerberos is the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the second week of May. There are planets to see and next week we’ll tell you how to find them.
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 first week of May. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Earth passes through the thickest part of a meteor stream on the 5th.
PAUL
Its debris left behind by the famous Comet Halley.
RACHEL
Astronomers call the meteor shower the Eta Aquarids.
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the second week of May. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon is approaching new again on the 14th and 15th.
RACHEL
That means these are good mornings to see the thin crescent moon.
PAUL
Look for the moon in the low east as you drive to work at 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
And make sure you look for earthshine on the moon.
PAUL
The light of earthshine will help fill in the dark right side of the moon.
RACHEL
Use your binoculars and you should be able to make out some lunar details in the faint light.
PAUL
Did you know that astronomers discovered Pluto in 1930?
RACHEL
However, it wasn’t until 1978 that astronomers discovered it had a satellite.
PAUL
Then ten years ago on the 15th, astronomers discovered two additional moons of Pluto.
RACHEL
Astronomers named the moons Nix and Hydra.
PAUL
Is that because of New Horizons?
RACHEL
Yep, the N and H in Nix and Hydra were chosen for the N and H in New Horizons.
PAUL
New Horizons is the American spacecraft rapidly approaching Pluto.
RACHEL
Pluto has never been explored by spacecraft.
PAUL
So the New Horizons is our first chance to see this enigmatic world close up.
RACHEL
That means it’s important that New Horizons doesn’t collide with an unknown moon as its approaches Pluto.
PAUL
Because of its ability to detect faint objects, astronomers used the Hubble Space Telescope to search for potentially threatening moons.
RACHEL
In addition to Nix and Hydra, Hubble has also discovered the moons Styx and Kerberos.
PAUL
How could tiny Pluto have five moons?
RACHEL
Astronomers believe Pluto was struck by a passing object early in its history.
PAUL
The whack was similar to the one Earth suffered over four billion years ago.
RACHEL
The impact with Pluto resulted in a debris field orbiting the tiny body.
PAUL
Over time, some debris collapsed back onto to Pluto and the rest coalesced into five new moons.
RACHEL
The largest was Charon, which is about half the size of Pluto.
PAUL
One danger for New Horizons comes from debris that may not have formed a moon.
RACHEL
That’s right; some of it may have formed a dark ring around Pluto.
PAUL
So now, New Horizons is taking images of the Plutonian system in search of possible new hazards.
RACHEL
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for July 14th.
PAUL
That’s when the New Horizons will make a high speed flyby of Pluto.
RACHEL
By the way, Nix is the Greek goddess of the night...
PAUL
...Hydra is a multi-headed serpent-like monster that Hercules killed...
RACHEL
...Styx is the Greek ferryman of the dead...
PAUL
...and Kerberos is the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the second week of May. There are planets to see and next week we’ll tell you how to find them.
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.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Transcript for May 3 - 9
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of May. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Earth passes through the thickest part of a meteor stream on the 5th.
PAUL
Its debris left behind by the famous Comet Halley.
RACHEL
Astronomers call the meteor shower the Eta Aquarids.
PAUL
Why Eta Aquarids?
RACHEL
Because where the stream of debris intersects Earth’s orbit appears to be near the star Eta Aquarid.
PAUL
The meteor shower reaches peak performance after midnight.
RACHEL
And in clear dark skies, one can expect to see about ten meteors per hour.
PAUL
While not a specular rate, it’s a substantial improvement over the seven meteors per hour we see between meteor showers.
RACHEL
Now for the bad news.
PAUL
The moon is full on May 3rd.
RACHEL
That means moonlight will strongly interfere with this shower all night.
PAUL
Still, any meteors you observe will tend to be brighter and leave long trails.
RACHEL
Look for Eta Aquarid meteors to originate from the southeast.
PAUL
Everyone’s favorite planet is the bright star located to the lower left of the moon on the morning of the 5th.
RACHEL
You’ll know you’re looking at Saturn because it won’t twinkle like other stars.
PAUL
And because it will have a slight yellow tint.
RACHEL
Saturn doesn’t show any detail in binoculars, but a small telescope or even spotting scope will show its rings.
PAUL
Saturn’s rings are amazing.
RACHEL
They’re only between 30 and 3,000 feet thick
PAUL
And they’re 180,000 miles across.
RACHEL
That means relative to a sheet of paper, Saturn’s rings are 100 times thinner.
PAUL
The reason we see them is because they consist of reflective ice particles.
RACHEL
Look for Saturn’s rings, you only need a telescope with 25 or greater magnification.
PAUL
Mercury reaches its greatest distance from the sun on the evening of the 7th.
RACHEL
And here’s how to find it.
PAUL
Look low in the northwest at 10:00 PM and locate brilliant Venus.
RACHEL
Below and to the right of Venus and closer to the horizon is little Mercury.
PAUL
Don’t confuse the star Aldebaran for Mercury
RACHEL
Aldebaran is located almost directly below Venus and a bit lower than Mercury.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of May. Next week’s topic is the satellites of Pluto.
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 May. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Earth passes through the thickest part of a meteor stream on the 5th.
PAUL
Its debris left behind by the famous Comet Halley.
RACHEL
Astronomers call the meteor shower the Eta Aquarids.
PAUL
Why Eta Aquarids?
RACHEL
Because where the stream of debris intersects Earth’s orbit appears to be near the star Eta Aquarid.
PAUL
The meteor shower reaches peak performance after midnight.
RACHEL
And in clear dark skies, one can expect to see about ten meteors per hour.
PAUL
While not a specular rate, it’s a substantial improvement over the seven meteors per hour we see between meteor showers.
RACHEL
Now for the bad news.
PAUL
The moon is full on May 3rd.
RACHEL
That means moonlight will strongly interfere with this shower all night.
PAUL
Still, any meteors you observe will tend to be brighter and leave long trails.
RACHEL
Look for Eta Aquarid meteors to originate from the southeast.
PAUL
Everyone’s favorite planet is the bright star located to the lower left of the moon on the morning of the 5th.
RACHEL
You’ll know you’re looking at Saturn because it won’t twinkle like other stars.
PAUL
And because it will have a slight yellow tint.
RACHEL
Saturn doesn’t show any detail in binoculars, but a small telescope or even spotting scope will show its rings.
PAUL
Saturn’s rings are amazing.
RACHEL
They’re only between 30 and 3,000 feet thick
PAUL
And they’re 180,000 miles across.
RACHEL
That means relative to a sheet of paper, Saturn’s rings are 100 times thinner.
PAUL
The reason we see them is because they consist of reflective ice particles.
RACHEL
Look for Saturn’s rings, you only need a telescope with 25 or greater magnification.
PAUL
Mercury reaches its greatest distance from the sun on the evening of the 7th.
RACHEL
And here’s how to find it.
PAUL
Look low in the northwest at 10:00 PM and locate brilliant Venus.
RACHEL
Below and to the right of Venus and closer to the horizon is little Mercury.
PAUL
Don’t confuse the star Aldebaran for Mercury
RACHEL
Aldebaran is located almost directly below Venus and a bit lower than Mercury.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of May. Next week’s topic is the satellites of Pluto.
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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