RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers will find the moon close to the Hyades star cluster on the evening of the 2nd.
PAUL
The Hyades forms the face of Taurus the Bull.
RACHEL
The eye of Taurus is marked with the orangish star Aldebaran.
PAUL
Not quite a red eye, is it?
RACHEL
Did you know that although Aldebaran marks one end of the Hyades, it’s not a part of the star cluster?
PAUL
That’s right. Aldebaran is actually only half as far away from the solar system as the Hyades.
RACHEL
This is an example of how the third dimension or depth is not apparent in stargazing.
PAUL
Stargazers will enjoy the Hyades because they make a great binocular object.
RACHEL
First, see how many stars you can see without the aid of binoculars.
PAUL
Some people can see a dozen with just their eyes.
RACHEL
Now aim your binoculars at the star cluster and count the number of stars you can see.
PAUL
Under good conditions, binoculars can show several dozen stars in the Hyades.
RACHEL
Telescopes, which can collect a lot of light, have detected over 100 stars inside the cluster.
PAUL
While you’re observing the Hyades through binoculars, notice how the stars are arranged in a V-shaped pattern.
RACHEL
It’s not difficult to picture a bull’s horns in that V-shape arrangement of stars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of December.
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, November 27, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 29th and 30th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 29th and 30th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On the 29th, stargazers will find the planet Uranus only seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
That’s so close that binoculars can easily locate the solar system’s 7th planet.
PAUL
To see Uranus, stargazers should take a pair of binoculars to a location with dark skies.
RACHEL
They won’t need to leave town, but they should at least get out from under street lights.
PAUL
Now Uranus will look like a star, so stargazers will need to take their time verifying the planet.
RACHEL
Fortunately, Uranus will be the brightest star in the area, so that won’t be too difficult.
PAUL
Stargazers should start by pointing their binoculars at the moon at around 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Don’t worry if you can’t make this observation exactly at 8:00 PM, it’s just a little bit easier to identify Uranus at around this time.
PAUL
Then put the moon just outside the edge of the binoculars’ field of view at the 4:30 position.
RACHEL
Uranus will be the star just inside the binoculars’ field of view at the 10:30 position.
PAUL
Uranus is a planet four times larger than the Earth.
RACHEL
Astronomers consider it to be an ice giant.
PAUL
Ice giants are planets that formed from lots of water and frozen gases in the outer solar system.
RACHEL
The atmospheres of ice giants are richer in gases like methane than the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn.
PAUL
A day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, so not much shorter than a day on Earth.
RACHEL
However, a year on Uranus lasts 84 years.
PAUL
Its long year means that since its discovery in 1781, Uranus hasn’t even made three trips around the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 29th and 30th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On the 29th, stargazers will find the planet Uranus only seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
That’s so close that binoculars can easily locate the solar system’s 7th planet.
PAUL
To see Uranus, stargazers should take a pair of binoculars to a location with dark skies.
RACHEL
They won’t need to leave town, but they should at least get out from under street lights.
PAUL
Now Uranus will look like a star, so stargazers will need to take their time verifying the planet.
RACHEL
Fortunately, Uranus will be the brightest star in the area, so that won’t be too difficult.
PAUL
Stargazers should start by pointing their binoculars at the moon at around 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Don’t worry if you can’t make this observation exactly at 8:00 PM, it’s just a little bit easier to identify Uranus at around this time.
PAUL
Then put the moon just outside the edge of the binoculars’ field of view at the 4:30 position.
RACHEL
Uranus will be the star just inside the binoculars’ field of view at the 10:30 position.
PAUL
Uranus is a planet four times larger than the Earth.
RACHEL
Astronomers consider it to be an ice giant.
PAUL
Ice giants are planets that formed from lots of water and frozen gases in the outer solar system.
RACHEL
The atmospheres of ice giants are richer in gases like methane than the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn.
PAUL
A day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, so not much shorter than a day on Earth.
RACHEL
However, a year on Uranus lasts 84 years.
PAUL
Its long year means that since its discovery in 1781, Uranus hasn’t even made three trips around the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 27th and 28th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers will find Mars just three degrees from the star Spica.
PAUL
Mars has just rounded the far side of the sun, from Earth’s perspective.
RACHEL
This summer it will blaze as a bright reddish-orange beacon.
PAUL
Meanwhile, stargazers will find Mars right now if they look in the low southeast at 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
The first star you’ll see is pure white Spica; the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
PAUL
Then to the upper left of Spica and pretty close to it is a fainter, slightly yellowish star.
RACHEL
That star is Mars.
PAUL
Mars is too far away to show any detail in telescopes, let alone binoculars.
RACHEL
The casual stargazer can take pleasure in knowing they’re looking at a world half the size of Earth.
PAUL
And one with an atmosphere only 1% as dense as ours.
RACHEL
However, this may be a future second home for our near descendants.
PAUL
One thing they’ll have to do is beef up the little planet’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
That way it can be breathable and comfortably warm.
PAUL
The process is called terraforming.
RACHEL
And it could require that we crash icy comets into the planet at regular intervals.
PAUL
Or dump massive quantities of chlorofluorocarbons into the Martian atmosphere.
RACHEL
That sounds like a lot of ethical questions I don’t want to even try to unpack.
PAUL
However, one day our ancestors might know a red Mars, a green Mars, and finally a blue Mars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of November.
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 November 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers will find Mars just three degrees from the star Spica.
PAUL
Mars has just rounded the far side of the sun, from Earth’s perspective.
RACHEL
This summer it will blaze as a bright reddish-orange beacon.
PAUL
Meanwhile, stargazers will find Mars right now if they look in the low southeast at 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
The first star you’ll see is pure white Spica; the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
PAUL
Then to the upper left of Spica and pretty close to it is a fainter, slightly yellowish star.
RACHEL
That star is Mars.
PAUL
Mars is too far away to show any detail in telescopes, let alone binoculars.
RACHEL
The casual stargazer can take pleasure in knowing they’re looking at a world half the size of Earth.
PAUL
And one with an atmosphere only 1% as dense as ours.
RACHEL
However, this may be a future second home for our near descendants.
PAUL
One thing they’ll have to do is beef up the little planet’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
That way it can be breathable and comfortably warm.
PAUL
The process is called terraforming.
RACHEL
And it could require that we crash icy comets into the planet at regular intervals.
PAUL
Or dump massive quantities of chlorofluorocarbons into the Martian atmosphere.
RACHEL
That sounds like a lot of ethical questions I don’t want to even try to unpack.
PAUL
However, one day our ancestors might know a red Mars, a green Mars, and finally a blue Mars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of November.
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 13, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 24th, 25th, and 26th.
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mercury’s a tiny little squirt as far as planets go.
PAUL
Yep, and it hardly ever appears in our sky.
RACHEL
This planet is only 50% wider than the moon.
PAUL
And it orbits the sun at only 1/3rd the distance that Earth does.
RACHEL
So when Mercury does manage to get far enough away for the sun for us to see, it’s a rare opportunity.
PAUL
Such are the nights around 24th.
RACHEL
Even better, Mercury will have company, Saturn.
PAUL
To see Mercury, look in the low southwest at 6:00 PM on the 24th.
RACHEL
Mercury will be the brightest star really close to the horizon.
PAUL
And Saturn will be half as bright and about three times higher.
RACHEL
Stargazers will probably want to use their binoculars to find elusive little Mercury.
PAUL
But please, don’t start scanning the horizon with them until after the sun has set.
RACHEL
When you do find Mercury, you’ll be looking at a world that looks a lot like the moon on account of its craters.
PAUL
Mercury is so close to the sun that surface temperatures can reach 800 degrees.
RACHEL
Ouch! That’s hot enough to melt lead!
PAUL
Then at night, the temperature drops down to nearly 300 degrees below zero.
RACHEL
Oh well, I guess I won’t recommend Mercury as a vacation spot based on its climate.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th and 26th of November.
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 November 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mercury’s a tiny little squirt as far as planets go.
PAUL
Yep, and it hardly ever appears in our sky.
RACHEL
This planet is only 50% wider than the moon.
PAUL
And it orbits the sun at only 1/3rd the distance that Earth does.
RACHEL
So when Mercury does manage to get far enough away for the sun for us to see, it’s a rare opportunity.
PAUL
Such are the nights around 24th.
RACHEL
Even better, Mercury will have company, Saturn.
PAUL
To see Mercury, look in the low southwest at 6:00 PM on the 24th.
RACHEL
Mercury will be the brightest star really close to the horizon.
PAUL
And Saturn will be half as bright and about three times higher.
RACHEL
Stargazers will probably want to use their binoculars to find elusive little Mercury.
PAUL
But please, don’t start scanning the horizon with them until after the sun has set.
RACHEL
When you do find Mercury, you’ll be looking at a world that looks a lot like the moon on account of its craters.
PAUL
Mercury is so close to the sun that surface temperatures can reach 800 degrees.
RACHEL
Ouch! That’s hot enough to melt lead!
PAUL
Then at night, the temperature drops down to nearly 300 degrees below zero.
RACHEL
Oh well, I guess I won’t recommend Mercury as a vacation spot based on its climate.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th and 26th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 22nd and 23rd.
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On our last show, we mentioned that the moon was first visited by spacecraft in 1959 and Saturn was first visited in 1979.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft to visit the moon was Luna 1, a Soviet spacecraft.
PAUL
Luna 1 was humanity’s eighth attempt to send a spacecraft to the moon.
RACHEL
The previous seven either didn’t reach space because the booster rocket exploded...
PAUL
...or because the booster stage performed so poorly that the spacecraft just arced up and then crashed back into Earth’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
Luna 1 was not a completely successful mission, however.
PAUL
That’s right; Soviets engineers intended it to impact the moon.
RACHEL
And instead, it missed the moon by 3,700 miles, or by a distance greater than the moon’s diameter.
PAUL
Saturn on the other hand, had a completely successful first visit.
RACHEL
It was by the American spacecraft Pioneer 11 on September 1st, 1979.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 was the second spacecraft to visit Jupiter and the second to escape the solar system.
RACHEL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory sent Pioneer 11 to Saturn as a trail blazer.
PAUL
Because it was unknown if the soon to arrive Voyager 1 would survive its passage around Saturn.
RACHEL
So after passing Jupiter, Pioneer 11 was send on a trajectory to closely approach Saturn.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 flew past Saturn at a distance of 12,500 miles and it survived.
RACHEL
And that successful encounter gave mission controllers confidence that Voyager 1 would fly past Saturn safely.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of November.
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 November 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On our last show, we mentioned that the moon was first visited by spacecraft in 1959 and Saturn was first visited in 1979.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft to visit the moon was Luna 1, a Soviet spacecraft.
PAUL
Luna 1 was humanity’s eighth attempt to send a spacecraft to the moon.
RACHEL
The previous seven either didn’t reach space because the booster rocket exploded...
PAUL
...or because the booster stage performed so poorly that the spacecraft just arced up and then crashed back into Earth’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
Luna 1 was not a completely successful mission, however.
PAUL
That’s right; Soviets engineers intended it to impact the moon.
RACHEL
And instead, it missed the moon by 3,700 miles, or by a distance greater than the moon’s diameter.
PAUL
Saturn on the other hand, had a completely successful first visit.
RACHEL
It was by the American spacecraft Pioneer 11 on September 1st, 1979.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 was the second spacecraft to visit Jupiter and the second to escape the solar system.
RACHEL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory sent Pioneer 11 to Saturn as a trail blazer.
PAUL
Because it was unknown if the soon to arrive Voyager 1 would survive its passage around Saturn.
RACHEL
So after passing Jupiter, Pioneer 11 was send on a trajectory to closely approach Saturn.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 flew past Saturn at a distance of 12,500 miles and it survived.
RACHEL
And that successful encounter gave mission controllers confidence that Voyager 1 would fly past Saturn safely.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 20th and 21st.
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey moon watchers, the moon reappears on the evening of the 20th.
PAUL
It’s a very thin crescent that evening, so it might be difficult to see.
RACHEL
Especially if there are any obstructions on your southwestern horizon.
PAUL
Helping you find the moon will be Saturn.
RACHEL
So first find Saturn; it’s the faintly tinted star in the low southwest at 6:15 PM.
PAUL
Once you’ve located Saturn, then look for the moon just to the upper right of Saturn.
RACHEL
The moon is only two days old, so it’s younger than most people have ever seen it.
PAUL
That also means you won’t see much detail along the lunar limb in your binoculars.
RACHEL
However, a small telescope might show some craters.
PAUL
What craters are visible will be turned nearly edge-on.
RACHEL
So they’ll appear as very thin ovals.
PAUL
You might be able to detect earthshine on the 20th, if you can see the moon in dark enough skies.
RACHEL
If you don’t see earthshine on the 20th, then try again each evening starting on the 21st.
PAUL
The moon and Saturn are an interesting study in contrasts.
RACHEL
The moon is one-quarter the diameter of Earth and Saturn is nine larger than Earth.
PAUL
The moon is a dry rocky world and Saturn is a gas giant.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft visit to the moon occurred in 1959 and the first spacecraft visit to Saturn occurred in 1979.
PAUL
And of course, Saturn as a beautiful ring whereas the moon has just craters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of November.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
RACHEL
...and Paul.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey moon watchers, the moon reappears on the evening of the 20th.
PAUL
It’s a very thin crescent that evening, so it might be difficult to see.
RACHEL
Especially if there are any obstructions on your southwestern horizon.
PAUL
Helping you find the moon will be Saturn.
RACHEL
So first find Saturn; it’s the faintly tinted star in the low southwest at 6:15 PM.
PAUL
Once you’ve located Saturn, then look for the moon just to the upper right of Saturn.
RACHEL
The moon is only two days old, so it’s younger than most people have ever seen it.
PAUL
That also means you won’t see much detail along the lunar limb in your binoculars.
RACHEL
However, a small telescope might show some craters.
PAUL
What craters are visible will be turned nearly edge-on.
RACHEL
So they’ll appear as very thin ovals.
PAUL
You might be able to detect earthshine on the 20th, if you can see the moon in dark enough skies.
RACHEL
If you don’t see earthshine on the 20th, then try again each evening starting on the 21st.
PAUL
The moon and Saturn are an interesting study in contrasts.
RACHEL
The moon is one-quarter the diameter of Earth and Saturn is nine larger than Earth.
PAUL
The moon is a dry rocky world and Saturn is a gas giant.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft visit to the moon occurred in 1959 and the first spacecraft visit to Saturn occurred in 1979.
PAUL
And of course, Saturn as a beautiful ring whereas the moon has just craters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of November.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
RACHEL
...and Paul.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 17th, 18th, and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 17th, 18th, and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey Idaho, let’s go meteor watching this week!
PAUL
The Leonid meteor shower is now at its peak intensity.
RACHEL
This meteor shower consists of cometary dust that’s slamming into the atmosphere at 44 miles per second.
PAUL
That’s faster than most other meteors and it results in a tremendously high kinetic energy for meteoroids.
RACHEL
Therefore, it’s not surprising that the largest Leonid meteoroids can result in spectacularly bright meteors.
PAUL
Look for Leonid meteors as they radiate from the low east after midnight.
RACHEL
And be sure to dress warmly.
PAUL
Stargazers could see upwards of 20 meteors per hour from this shower.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
Which is one reason why the Leonids are such a great meteor shower this year.
RACHEL
The new moon means that the moon is passing too close to the sun for us to see it.
PAUL
The moon’s super thin crescent shape and location in the daytime sky makes it’s all but invisible.
RACHEL
Even though it is hiding in plain sight.
PAUL
With impossibly fantastic eyes, you would see the moon five degrees above the sun on the 18th.
RACHEL
Which is ten times the apparent diameter of the sun.
PAUL
So even when the moon is new, it’s still located in the sky.
RACHEL
It’s just too faint to see against an even brighter sky.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November.
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 November 17th, 18th, and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey Idaho, let’s go meteor watching this week!
PAUL
The Leonid meteor shower is now at its peak intensity.
RACHEL
This meteor shower consists of cometary dust that’s slamming into the atmosphere at 44 miles per second.
PAUL
That’s faster than most other meteors and it results in a tremendously high kinetic energy for meteoroids.
RACHEL
Therefore, it’s not surprising that the largest Leonid meteoroids can result in spectacularly bright meteors.
PAUL
Look for Leonid meteors as they radiate from the low east after midnight.
RACHEL
And be sure to dress warmly.
PAUL
Stargazers could see upwards of 20 meteors per hour from this shower.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
Which is one reason why the Leonids are such a great meteor shower this year.
RACHEL
The new moon means that the moon is passing too close to the sun for us to see it.
PAUL
The moon’s super thin crescent shape and location in the daytime sky makes it’s all but invisible.
RACHEL
Even though it is hiding in plain sight.
PAUL
With impossibly fantastic eyes, you would see the moon five degrees above the sun on the 18th.
RACHEL
Which is ten times the apparent diameter of the sun.
PAUL
So even when the moon is new, it’s still located in the sky.
RACHEL
It’s just too faint to see against an even brighter sky.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 15th and 16th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 15th and 16th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Mars is currently located on the other side of the solar system.
RACHEL
Since it’s such a small planet, this means it doesn’t appear very bright and might be difficult to locate.
PAUL
Its color, which is pale orange, doesn’t help much when it’s so faint.
RACHEL
In fact, it’s quite easily mistaken for a star right now.
PAUL
So it’s nice of the moon to help stargazers locate this little world.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 15th, look for the very thin crescent moon in the low east-southeast.
PAUL
Mars is the yellowish-orange star to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
And the brighter white star below the moon is the star Spica.
PAUL
The distance between Earth and Mars will decrease until mid-summer next year.
RACHEL
That’s when Mars will be an unmistakable reddish-orange beacon in our sky.
PAUL
Mars is not the only planet to look for.
RACHEL
Look of for the moon on the morning of the 16th when it will stand just above Jupiter and Venus.
PAUL
The moon will be an incredibly thin crescent, so you might need binoculars to see it at around 8:00 AM.
RACHEL
However, brilliant Venus will still be easy to spot below the moon.
PAUL
Jupiter will glow with a cooler light between Venus and the moon.
RACHEL
While your binoculars are handy, take a quick peek at Jupiter.
PAUL
You’ll see a star to the planet’s upper right.
RACHEL
That’s Ganymede, the largest satellite in the solar system.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th and 16th of November.
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 November 15th and 16th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Mars is currently located on the other side of the solar system.
RACHEL
Since it’s such a small planet, this means it doesn’t appear very bright and might be difficult to locate.
PAUL
Its color, which is pale orange, doesn’t help much when it’s so faint.
RACHEL
In fact, it’s quite easily mistaken for a star right now.
PAUL
So it’s nice of the moon to help stargazers locate this little world.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 15th, look for the very thin crescent moon in the low east-southeast.
PAUL
Mars is the yellowish-orange star to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
And the brighter white star below the moon is the star Spica.
PAUL
The distance between Earth and Mars will decrease until mid-summer next year.
RACHEL
That’s when Mars will be an unmistakable reddish-orange beacon in our sky.
PAUL
Mars is not the only planet to look for.
RACHEL
Look of for the moon on the morning of the 16th when it will stand just above Jupiter and Venus.
PAUL
The moon will be an incredibly thin crescent, so you might need binoculars to see it at around 8:00 AM.
RACHEL
However, brilliant Venus will still be easy to spot below the moon.
PAUL
Jupiter will glow with a cooler light between Venus and the moon.
RACHEL
While your binoculars are handy, take a quick peek at Jupiter.
PAUL
You’ll see a star to the planet’s upper right.
RACHEL
That’s Ganymede, the largest satellite in the solar system.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th and 16th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 13th and 14th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Venus and Jupiter are in the process of switching places.
PAUL
Venus has been the Morning Star for months now.
RACHEL
Jupiter was an evening object last summer.
PAUL
At the end of summer, Jupiter approached too close to the sun for Idahoans to see.
RACHEL
Actually, the fault was with Earth, and not in our stars.
PAUL
That’s because Earth travels much faster as it orbits the sun.
RACHEL
So from our perspective, we left Jupiter in the dust.
PAUL
Or at least the sun’s glare.
RACHEL
Now that Jupiter has rounded the sun, it’s reappeared in our morning sky.
PAUL
Again, it’s really due to Earth’s orbital speed being so fast that we’re gaining on Jupiter again.
RACHEL
Since Venus orbits the sun faster than Earth, we can’t keep up.
PAUL
Which makes Venus slowly sink lower and lower in our morning sky.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 13th you’ll see Jupiter just a third of a degree away from Venus.
PAUL
One third of a degree is less than the apparent diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Or less than 1/20th of a binoculars’ field of view.
PAUL
Since they’re so close, how can a stargazer tell one apart from the other?
RACHEL
Easy, Venus will appear much brighter than Jupiter.
PAUL
Keep an eye on this pair; they’re moving rapidly relative to each other.
RACHEL
That means each morning you’ll easily see the increasing distance between these two planets.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of November.
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 November 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Venus and Jupiter are in the process of switching places.
PAUL
Venus has been the Morning Star for months now.
RACHEL
Jupiter was an evening object last summer.
PAUL
At the end of summer, Jupiter approached too close to the sun for Idahoans to see.
RACHEL
Actually, the fault was with Earth, and not in our stars.
PAUL
That’s because Earth travels much faster as it orbits the sun.
RACHEL
So from our perspective, we left Jupiter in the dust.
PAUL
Or at least the sun’s glare.
RACHEL
Now that Jupiter has rounded the sun, it’s reappeared in our morning sky.
PAUL
Again, it’s really due to Earth’s orbital speed being so fast that we’re gaining on Jupiter again.
RACHEL
Since Venus orbits the sun faster than Earth, we can’t keep up.
PAUL
Which makes Venus slowly sink lower and lower in our morning sky.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 13th you’ll see Jupiter just a third of a degree away from Venus.
PAUL
One third of a degree is less than the apparent diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Or less than 1/20th of a binoculars’ field of view.
PAUL
Since they’re so close, how can a stargazer tell one apart from the other?
RACHEL
Easy, Venus will appear much brighter than Jupiter.
PAUL
Keep an eye on this pair; they’re moving rapidly relative to each other.
RACHEL
That means each morning you’ll easily see the increasing distance between these two planets.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of November.
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, November 6, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 10th, 11th, and 12th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 10th, 11th, and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches the last quarter phase on the 10th.
RACHEL
That means it’s a great time for stargazers to take in a little moon watching.
PAUL
The only negative is that they’ll need to go outside after midnight.
RACHEL
So perhaps stargazers ought to moon watch a few minutes before leaving for work.
PAUL
Concentrate your attention along the terminator, or boundary between the lunar day and night.
RACHEL
That’s where the morning shadows will make lunar features their most visible.
PAUL
Then take another look at the moon on the morning of Saturday the 11th.
RACHEL
That morning, stargazers will see a bright star just to the moon’s left.
PAUL
The star is named Regulus and it’s the brightest of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
The moon is approaching Regulus, but daylight will prevent Idaho stargazers from seeing the moon occult this star.
PAUL
This next event you won’t miss because of daylight.
RACHEL
From now until the 15th, look in the low east-southeast for the astronomical dance of Venus and Jupiter.
PAUL
Venus is slowly approaching the sun, while Jupiter is rapidly rising higher each morning.
RACHEL
So over the next four days you’ll be able to watch Jupiter climb towards Venus.
PAUL
Then on the 13th, Jupiter will finally appear above Venus.
RACHEL
Jupiter is doing its best to become an evening object.
PAUL
While Venus is doing its best to hide behind the far side of the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 10th, 11th, and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches the last quarter phase on the 10th.
RACHEL
That means it’s a great time for stargazers to take in a little moon watching.
PAUL
The only negative is that they’ll need to go outside after midnight.
RACHEL
So perhaps stargazers ought to moon watch a few minutes before leaving for work.
PAUL
Concentrate your attention along the terminator, or boundary between the lunar day and night.
RACHEL
That’s where the morning shadows will make lunar features their most visible.
PAUL
Then take another look at the moon on the morning of Saturday the 11th.
RACHEL
That morning, stargazers will see a bright star just to the moon’s left.
PAUL
The star is named Regulus and it’s the brightest of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
The moon is approaching Regulus, but daylight will prevent Idaho stargazers from seeing the moon occult this star.
PAUL
This next event you won’t miss because of daylight.
RACHEL
From now until the 15th, look in the low east-southeast for the astronomical dance of Venus and Jupiter.
PAUL
Venus is slowly approaching the sun, while Jupiter is rapidly rising higher each morning.
RACHEL
So over the next four days you’ll be able to watch Jupiter climb towards Venus.
PAUL
Then on the 13th, Jupiter will finally appear above Venus.
RACHEL
Jupiter is doing its best to become an evening object.
PAUL
While Venus is doing its best to hide behind the far side of the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 8th and 9th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 8th and 9th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Astronomers announced one of the greatest astronomical discoveries last month.
PAUL
It was the detection of gravity waves from a collision of two orbiting neutron stars.
RACHEL
Neutron stars are the remains of very massive stars, but stars not quite massive enough to collapse into black holes.
PAUL
In 1915, Einstein predicted that the force of gravity takes energy away from massive orbiting objects.
RACHEL
So as these neutron stars continued to orbit each other, they lost kinetic energy and slowly spiraled into each other.
PAUL
Fortunately, gravity is so weak between Earth and the moon that their orbits shrink too slowly to detect, even after billions of years.
RACHEL
The gravitational field between neutron stars is so powerful that it shrunk their orbits quite quickly compared to the lifetime of a star.
PAUL
Rapidly orbiting neutron stars create an ever changing gravitational field.
RACHEL
And this changing gravitational field creates expanding wrinkles in space-time.
PAUL
All matter immersed within the passage space-time wrinkles vibrates back and forth almost like fishing bobs floating on water waves.
RACHEL
Scientists can measure those vibrations by measuring the distances between mirrors inside a vacuum.
PAUL
Those vibrations are tiny by the time they reach Earth, in fact, far less than the width of an atom.
RACHEL
But a device called an interferometer can detect vibrations that small.
PAUL
The detection of gravity waves last August told astronomers where to aim their telescopes before the light of the collision reached Earth.
RACHEL
Which is the first time astronomers have observed an astronomical event using both the electromagnetic spectrum and gravity.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th and 9th of November.
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 November 8th and 9th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Astronomers announced one of the greatest astronomical discoveries last month.
PAUL
It was the detection of gravity waves from a collision of two orbiting neutron stars.
RACHEL
Neutron stars are the remains of very massive stars, but stars not quite massive enough to collapse into black holes.
PAUL
In 1915, Einstein predicted that the force of gravity takes energy away from massive orbiting objects.
RACHEL
So as these neutron stars continued to orbit each other, they lost kinetic energy and slowly spiraled into each other.
PAUL
Fortunately, gravity is so weak between Earth and the moon that their orbits shrink too slowly to detect, even after billions of years.
RACHEL
The gravitational field between neutron stars is so powerful that it shrunk their orbits quite quickly compared to the lifetime of a star.
PAUL
Rapidly orbiting neutron stars create an ever changing gravitational field.
RACHEL
And this changing gravitational field creates expanding wrinkles in space-time.
PAUL
All matter immersed within the passage space-time wrinkles vibrates back and forth almost like fishing bobs floating on water waves.
RACHEL
Scientists can measure those vibrations by measuring the distances between mirrors inside a vacuum.
PAUL
Those vibrations are tiny by the time they reach Earth, in fact, far less than the width of an atom.
RACHEL
But a device called an interferometer can detect vibrations that small.
PAUL
The detection of gravity waves last August told astronomers where to aim their telescopes before the light of the collision reached Earth.
RACHEL
Which is the first time astronomers have observed an astronomical event using both the electromagnetic spectrum and gravity.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th and 9th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 6th and 7th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Sixty years ago on the 3rd, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 into orbit.
RACHEL
This was a painful shot to American pride, as the spacecraft weighed 1,100 pounds.
PAUL
Which was over 340 times heavier than America’s planned first satellite, Vanguard 1.
RACHEL
The satellite’s weight was evidence that the Soviets had the capability to launch nuclear warheads to the United States.
PAUL
Sputnik 2 sent several additional messages to the world.
RACHEL
First, that the Soviet Union was capable of sending more satellites into orbit than the US.
PAUL
Second, they could launch heavier satellites than Sputnik 1.
RACHEL
And finally, they could send a passenger into space.
PAUL
The passenger in this case was a dog named Laika.
RACHEL
So why did the Soviets launch a dog into space?
PAUL
Well, Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev was delighted by the world’s response to his country’s launch of the first satellite.
RACHEL
So he insisted on a second satellite launch to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution.
PAUL
And the second launch was to be more impressive than the first.
RACHEL
This gave his chief rocket designer, Korolev only a little over a month to prepare.
PAUL
To speed up the design, Korolev used a backup Sputnik 1 and a high altitude chamber used to launch dogs on suborbital sounding rockets.
RACHEL
Sputnik 2 safely carried Laika into Earth orbit, but things went badly afterwards.
PAUL
The satellite’s system of thermal protection didn’t operate properly and Laika died from overheating.
RACHEL
Poor Laika only lived for four orbits, or for six hours in Earth orbit.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of November.
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 November 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Sixty years ago on the 3rd, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 into orbit.
RACHEL
This was a painful shot to American pride, as the spacecraft weighed 1,100 pounds.
PAUL
Which was over 340 times heavier than America’s planned first satellite, Vanguard 1.
RACHEL
The satellite’s weight was evidence that the Soviets had the capability to launch nuclear warheads to the United States.
PAUL
Sputnik 2 sent several additional messages to the world.
RACHEL
First, that the Soviet Union was capable of sending more satellites into orbit than the US.
PAUL
Second, they could launch heavier satellites than Sputnik 1.
RACHEL
And finally, they could send a passenger into space.
PAUL
The passenger in this case was a dog named Laika.
RACHEL
So why did the Soviets launch a dog into space?
PAUL
Well, Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev was delighted by the world’s response to his country’s launch of the first satellite.
RACHEL
So he insisted on a second satellite launch to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution.
PAUL
And the second launch was to be more impressive than the first.
RACHEL
This gave his chief rocket designer, Korolev only a little over a month to prepare.
PAUL
To speed up the design, Korolev used a backup Sputnik 1 and a high altitude chamber used to launch dogs on suborbital sounding rockets.
RACHEL
Sputnik 2 safely carried Laika into Earth orbit, but things went badly afterwards.
PAUL
The satellite’s system of thermal protection didn’t operate properly and Laika died from overheating.
RACHEL
Poor Laika only lived for four orbits, or for six hours in Earth orbit.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of November.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)