Idaho Skies Transcript for April 21st, 22nd, and 23rd

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Last month, Venus was the Evening Star.

PAUL
Venus orbits so close to the sun that it can rapidly switch from Evening Star to Morning Star.

RACHEL
So it’s not surprising that stargazers will find Venus as the Morning Star this month.

PAUL
In fact, they’ll find the Morning Star on the moon’s left side on the morning of the 22nd.

RACHEL
But they’ll need to go outside between 5:00 and 6:00 AM to see it this pairing of Venus and the crescent moon.

PAUL
Venus is a brilliant point of light, so it’s impossible to miss.

RACHEL
The planet is in waxing crescent phase and a pair of binoculars ought to be able to show its phase.

PAUL
However, Venus is very bright on account of its envelope of clouds.

RACHEL
And that brilliance in dark skies creates too much glare to make out the planet’s shape.

PAUL
This means stargazers are more likely see to detect the crescent shape of Venus if they wait until the sun is just about to rise.

RACHEL
That way the light of dawn will tame the glare of Venus.

PAUL
The moon’s not done with Venus on the 22nd.

RACHEL
That’s because the moon pulls along side Venus on the morning of the 23rd.

PAUL
This will be an attractive sight for stargazers going outside before 6:00 AM.

RACHEL
A challenge for our listeners is to try photographing this pairing with their cell phones.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of April.

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.