Idaho Skies Transcript for March 10th, 11th, and 12th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 10th, 11th, and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The moon glides beneath Leo the Lion between the 10th and 11th.

RACHEL
On the 10th, the moon appears on the western edge of Leo and next to its brightest star, Regulus.

PAUL
Specifically, Regulus will be the bright star above the moon.

RACHEL
Regulus and the moon will be so close together that stargazers can see them together in binoculars.

PAUL
Then on the night of the 11th, the moon appears at the eastern edge of Leo.

RACHEL
The brightest star to the left of the moon on the 11th will be Denebola.

PAUL
By the way, Denebola is Leo’s second brightest star,

RACHEL
Did you know that Leo the Lion is the 12th largest constellation?

PAUL
It’s depicted as the Nemean Lion in Greek mythology.

RACHEL
That makes Leo the first of Heracles’ 12 labors.

PAUL
By the way, Hercules is the Roman name of Heracles.

RACHEL
According to the Greeks, the Nemean Lion could not be harmed by weapons like swords and spears.

PAUL
So Heracles had to kill it with his bare hands.

RACHEL
He did this by grabbing hold of the lion as it attacked him and then breaking its back.

PAUL
Ouch.

RACHEL
As a reward for successfully completing his first labor, Zeus placed the lion in the heavens.

PAUL
One would think Zeus could have done this before the lion started capturing maidens and saved everybody a lot of trouble.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of March.

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.