Transcript for January 18th and 19th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
There’s an astronomical trio on the morning of the 19th.

RACHEL
To see this sight, go outside at about 3:00 AM and look for the moon in the low southeast.

PAUL
The moon is the first of the trio.

RACHEL
The other two are the planet Jupiter and the star Spica.

PAUL
Jupiter is the bright creamy white star located to the right of the moon.

RACHEL
Spica is a whiter spark of light and it’s located to the moon’s lower right.

PAUL
The moon is in the last quarter phase.

RACHEL
That means stargazers with a pair of binoculars can enjoy the trio even more.

PAUL
When they point binoculars at the moon, it will show lots of craters, especially strewn across its southern hemisphere.

RACHEL
Jupiter on the other hand will show no surface detail.

PAUL
However, its four largest satellites will appear in a line on the right side of the planet.

RACHEL
It might be tough to see Ganymede, because of how close it appears to the glare of Jupiter.

PAUL
The other three will definitely be easier to see.

RACHEL
They are, going from closest to Jupiter to farthest, Ganymede...

PAUL
...volcanic Io...

RACHEL
...icy Europa...

PAUL
...and finally Callisto.

RACHEL
These four satellites are close to the size of our moon and yet, binoculars can show them from 480 million miles away.

PAUL
Imagine what Earth and the moon would look like from Jupiter?

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of January.

PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.

For Idaho Skies this is Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.