Are you getting a new telescope for Christmas? Well, the Boise Astronomical Society wants you to enjoy many more successful astronomical encounters with your new telescope. That's why on January 12th, they're hosting a free workshop for families with a new telescope.
The astronomical society understands how difficult it can be to operate a new telescope. So club members will be at Anser Charter School on January 12th starting at 7:00 PM to help anyone with a telescope get the most out of their space explorer.
This is one of many ways your local astronomical club is ready to help our community experience the joy and astronomy. So please pay them a visit - you'll get your best astronomical views this summer if you do.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 29th, 30th, and 31st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 29th, 30th, and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon forms a trio with two star clusters on the night of the 29th.
PAUL
The star clusters are the Pleiades and the Hyades.
RACHEL
Both are good binocular objects, but only the Pleiades is suitable for a Christmas telescope.
PAUL
The Pleiades will appear as a tiny dipper of stars through binoculars or telescope of modest power.
RACHEL
After observing the moon on the 29th, look again on the next day to see how close the moon has traveled to Aldebaran.
PAUL
Aldebaran is the bright orangish star at the edge of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
It’s represents the eye of Taurus the Bull and is not a part of the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
The moon is nearly full on the 30th, so its best craters will appear tilted away from Earth.
RACHEL
However, large lunar seas and the mountains rimming them will be quite easy to see.
PAUL
The moon continues its travels and will appear above Orion the Hunter on the 31st.
RACHEL
Look for Orion’s tilted rectangle of four bright stars below and right of the moon.
PAUL
Passing through the center of this large rectangle will be a straight line of three equally bright stars, or Orion’s Belt.
RACHEL
Now look below the middle star of a line of two or three fainter stars.
PAUL
This is Orion’s sword.
RACHEL
If you aim your Christmas telescope at the second, sort of fuzzy looking star in the sword, you’ll be in for a real surprise.
PAUL
This fuzzy star will turn into a white or green cloud filled with swirls and stars.
RACHEL
This is the Great Orion nebula, a stellar nursery where stars and solar systems are being born today.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th, 30th and 31st 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 27th and 28th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by English astronomer William Herschel.
RACHEL
Herschel wasn’t born in England, he was born in the Electorate of Hanover, or what is now a part of Germany.
PAUL
Since 1774, Herschel had been observing the skies with his large telescopes.
RACHEL
These were handmade and of very good quality for their time.
PAUL
On March 13th, 1781, Herschel realized a star he was looking at was not a point of light like the other stars.
RACHEL
At first, he thought his discovery was a new comet.
PAUL
But soon, he discovered his comet moved like the other planets and not like other comets.
RACHEL
Hershel’s discovery of Uranus made him famous overnight.
PAUL
That’s because no planets had been discovered since the times of antiquity.
RACHEL
Astronomy was not Herschel’s first job.
PAUL
That’s right; he was originally a composer and music director.
RACHEL
However, after his discovery of Uranus, King George the Third made him the Royal Astronomer.
PAUL
This allowed Herschel to become a full time astronomer with the assistance of his sister, Caroline.
RACHEL
On the 27th, you too can discover Uranus for yourself.
PAUL
Do so by aiming your binoculars at the moon at 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Then shift the moon to the left edge of your binoculars in the 7:30 position.
PAUL
Then look for the brightest star six degrees to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
Remember that binoculars have a view 7.5 degrees wide.
PAUL
That star you see is Uranus and you can be certain of it if you see a squashed rectangle between the moon and Uranus.
RACHEL
You’ll find a helpful star map on our Twitter account.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by English astronomer William Herschel.
RACHEL
Herschel wasn’t born in England, he was born in the Electorate of Hanover, or what is now a part of Germany.
PAUL
Since 1774, Herschel had been observing the skies with his large telescopes.
RACHEL
These were handmade and of very good quality for their time.
PAUL
On March 13th, 1781, Herschel realized a star he was looking at was not a point of light like the other stars.
RACHEL
At first, he thought his discovery was a new comet.
PAUL
But soon, he discovered his comet moved like the other planets and not like other comets.
RACHEL
Hershel’s discovery of Uranus made him famous overnight.
PAUL
That’s because no planets had been discovered since the times of antiquity.
RACHEL
Astronomy was not Herschel’s first job.
PAUL
That’s right; he was originally a composer and music director.
RACHEL
However, after his discovery of Uranus, King George the Third made him the Royal Astronomer.
PAUL
This allowed Herschel to become a full time astronomer with the assistance of his sister, Caroline.
RACHEL
On the 27th, you too can discover Uranus for yourself.
PAUL
Do so by aiming your binoculars at the moon at 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Then shift the moon to the left edge of your binoculars in the 7:30 position.
PAUL
Then look for the brightest star six degrees to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
Remember that binoculars have a view 7.5 degrees wide.
PAUL
That star you see is Uranus and you can be certain of it if you see a squashed rectangle between the moon and Uranus.
RACHEL
You’ll find a helpful star map on our Twitter account.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 25th and 26th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the 26th.
PAUL
This is the most excellent phase for going moon watching.
RACHEL
So listeners who got a new telescope or binoculars for Christmas have the perfect target tonight.
PAUL
Start by placing a low power eyepiece in your telescope.
RACHEL
The low power eyepiece is the one with the largest number written on its side of its barrel.
PAUL
That number is the focal length of the eyepiece in millimeters.
RACHEL
To calculate the magnification of your telescope, divide the focal length of the main lens, or objective by the focal length of the eyepiece you selected.
PAUL
A lower power is usually better than a higher power, especially when trying to locate objects.
RACHEL
Anther reason is that high magnifications also magnify the distortion caused by the turbulent air.
PAUL
When you look at the moon in low power, you’ll notice that the terminator or boundary between day and night runs straight up and down the center of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll also notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed full of craters.
PAUL
Whether the moon’s southern hemisphere appears at the top or bottom of the moon depends on what kind of instrument you’re looking through.
RACHEL
Binoculars and spotting scopes don’t invert their images, so the southern hemisphere will appear at the bottom of the moon.
PAUL
Telescopes on the other hand do invert their images.
RACHEL
But this is not bad, as binoculars and spotting scopes use additional lens to un-invert their images.
PAUL
Meaning there’s more dimming of the moon’s light and a slight reduction in optical clarity.
RACHEL
Besides, one can always reverse the image of their telescope by standing with their back towards the moon before looking through the eyepiece.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
PAUL
...and Rachel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the 26th.
PAUL
This is the most excellent phase for going moon watching.
RACHEL
So listeners who got a new telescope or binoculars for Christmas have the perfect target tonight.
PAUL
Start by placing a low power eyepiece in your telescope.
RACHEL
The low power eyepiece is the one with the largest number written on its side of its barrel.
PAUL
That number is the focal length of the eyepiece in millimeters.
RACHEL
To calculate the magnification of your telescope, divide the focal length of the main lens, or objective by the focal length of the eyepiece you selected.
PAUL
A lower power is usually better than a higher power, especially when trying to locate objects.
RACHEL
Anther reason is that high magnifications also magnify the distortion caused by the turbulent air.
PAUL
When you look at the moon in low power, you’ll notice that the terminator or boundary between day and night runs straight up and down the center of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll also notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed full of craters.
PAUL
Whether the moon’s southern hemisphere appears at the top or bottom of the moon depends on what kind of instrument you’re looking through.
RACHEL
Binoculars and spotting scopes don’t invert their images, so the southern hemisphere will appear at the bottom of the moon.
PAUL
Telescopes on the other hand do invert their images.
RACHEL
But this is not bad, as binoculars and spotting scopes use additional lens to un-invert their images.
PAUL
Meaning there’s more dimming of the moon’s light and a slight reduction in optical clarity.
RACHEL
Besides, one can always reverse the image of their telescope by standing with their back towards the moon before looking through the eyepiece.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
PAUL
...and Rachel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon finally reappears this week.
PAUL
So stargazers will find a very thin crescent in the low southwest after it get dark, or at around 7:00 PM.
RACHEL
They’ll probably notice a faint illumination on the darken left side of the moon.
PAUL
That’s earthshine, or sunlight illuminating the dark portion of the moon after bouncing off of the reflective Earth.
RACHEL
Earthshine is bright enough that in binoculars, stargazers can see some of the lunar markings.
PAUL
It’s best to use binoculars because their large lens can gather more light that our eyes.
RACHEL
Hey early rises, be sure to look in the southeast on the 23rd.
PAUL
At around 6:00 AM you’ll see bright Jupiter.
RACHEL
More importantly, there’s a star just to the lower right of Jupiter.
PAUL
And it’s close, so you might want binoculars to get a better view.
RACHEL
That star is Zubenelgenubi, a widely spaced double star.
PAUL
Since the spacing between Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi is only ¾ of a degree, they fit very nicely within binoculars.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi have something to offer binocular users.
PAUL
Jupiter sports its largest satellite, Ganymede just above the planet.
RACHEL
And Zubenelgenubi splits into two closely spaced stars.
PAUL
Stargazers will find that the relative angle and spacing between Jupiter and Ganymede and between the two components of Zubenelgenubi are nearly identical.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December.
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 December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon finally reappears this week.
PAUL
So stargazers will find a very thin crescent in the low southwest after it get dark, or at around 7:00 PM.
RACHEL
They’ll probably notice a faint illumination on the darken left side of the moon.
PAUL
That’s earthshine, or sunlight illuminating the dark portion of the moon after bouncing off of the reflective Earth.
RACHEL
Earthshine is bright enough that in binoculars, stargazers can see some of the lunar markings.
PAUL
It’s best to use binoculars because their large lens can gather more light that our eyes.
RACHEL
Hey early rises, be sure to look in the southeast on the 23rd.
PAUL
At around 6:00 AM you’ll see bright Jupiter.
RACHEL
More importantly, there’s a star just to the lower right of Jupiter.
PAUL
And it’s close, so you might want binoculars to get a better view.
RACHEL
That star is Zubenelgenubi, a widely spaced double star.
PAUL
Since the spacing between Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi is only ¾ of a degree, they fit very nicely within binoculars.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi have something to offer binocular users.
PAUL
Jupiter sports its largest satellite, Ganymede just above the planet.
RACHEL
And Zubenelgenubi splits into two closely spaced stars.
PAUL
Stargazers will find that the relative angle and spacing between Jupiter and Ganymede and between the two components of Zubenelgenubi are nearly identical.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 20th and 21st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
It’s the winter solstice on the 21st.
RACHEL
The winter what?
PAUL
Solstice. It means sun standing still.
RACHEL
Oh, you mean the first day of winter.
PAUL
That’s right. On the 21st at 9:28 AM, the sun will appear at its lowest elevation with respect to the fixed stars.
RACHEL
And at that time, it will stand directly overhead over the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
This marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
So the 21st is the day with the shortest day and longest night for Idahoans.
PAUL
The sun appears to drift north and south across the sky because Earth’s spin axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
RACHEL
Recall that our spin axis is fixed in space; in fact, it always points towards Polaris the Pole Star.
PAUL
So in December, the direction towards Polaris is away from the sun.
RACHEL
But the boundary between Earth’s day and night always remains vertical.
PAUL
Therefore, in December, the Northern hemisphere tilts more into the night making night last several hours longer.
RACHEL
Longer nights means there’s more time for ground to cool and less time to warm up from exposure to daylight.
PAUL
Making it even worse, the angle that the sun shines on the surface is sloped even more.
RACHEL
This means the ground experiences less intense sunlight and therefore doesn’t get warm as fast as it does during the summer months.
PAUL
And as a result, cold winters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
It’s the winter solstice on the 21st.
RACHEL
The winter what?
PAUL
Solstice. It means sun standing still.
RACHEL
Oh, you mean the first day of winter.
PAUL
That’s right. On the 21st at 9:28 AM, the sun will appear at its lowest elevation with respect to the fixed stars.
RACHEL
And at that time, it will stand directly overhead over the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
This marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
So the 21st is the day with the shortest day and longest night for Idahoans.
PAUL
The sun appears to drift north and south across the sky because Earth’s spin axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
RACHEL
Recall that our spin axis is fixed in space; in fact, it always points towards Polaris the Pole Star.
PAUL
So in December, the direction towards Polaris is away from the sun.
RACHEL
But the boundary between Earth’s day and night always remains vertical.
PAUL
Therefore, in December, the Northern hemisphere tilts more into the night making night last several hours longer.
RACHEL
Longer nights means there’s more time for ground to cool and less time to warm up from exposure to daylight.
PAUL
Making it even worse, the angle that the sun shines on the surface is sloped even more.
RACHEL
This means the ground experiences less intense sunlight and therefore doesn’t get warm as fast as it does during the summer months.
PAUL
And as a result, cold winters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 18th and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
That means stargazers won’t be able to see it for a couple of days.
RACHEL
And when they do, it will be a thin crescent in the low southwest.
PAUL
So get ready to go moon watching in another two or three days.
RACHEL
Let’s dial the way back machine to December 18th, 1958.
PAUL
The Space Age is just over a year old and the United States is trying to place more and better satellites into Earth orbit.
RACHEL
One of our countries first successes was a communication satellite.
PAUL
Called Project Score, this satellite was actually an empty rocket booster.
RACHEL
But the empty Atlas booster carried a tape recorder and radio.
PAUL
Which allowed select ground stations to send a message to the Atlas for storage on its tape recorder.
RACHEL
Then when the Atlas passed over a second ground station, it would replay the message over the radio.
PAUL
The dual redundant radio, antennas, and tape recorders weighed 150 pounds.
RACHEL
And the tape recorder could store a message up to four minutes long.
PAUL
President Eisenhower recorded a Christmas message on Project Score.
RACHEL
His message was for peace on Earth and goodwill.
PAUL
Being a large, but empty booster meant that air drag had a strong effect on the satellite.
RACHEL
As a result, Project Score only remained in orbit for 36 days.
PAUL
And during that month, it illustrated some of the promise of the newly born Space Age.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of December.
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 December 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
That means stargazers won’t be able to see it for a couple of days.
RACHEL
And when they do, it will be a thin crescent in the low southwest.
PAUL
So get ready to go moon watching in another two or three days.
RACHEL
Let’s dial the way back machine to December 18th, 1958.
PAUL
The Space Age is just over a year old and the United States is trying to place more and better satellites into Earth orbit.
RACHEL
One of our countries first successes was a communication satellite.
PAUL
Called Project Score, this satellite was actually an empty rocket booster.
RACHEL
But the empty Atlas booster carried a tape recorder and radio.
PAUL
Which allowed select ground stations to send a message to the Atlas for storage on its tape recorder.
RACHEL
Then when the Atlas passed over a second ground station, it would replay the message over the radio.
PAUL
The dual redundant radio, antennas, and tape recorders weighed 150 pounds.
RACHEL
And the tape recorder could store a message up to four minutes long.
PAUL
President Eisenhower recorded a Christmas message on Project Score.
RACHEL
His message was for peace on Earth and goodwill.
PAUL
Being a large, but empty booster meant that air drag had a strong effect on the satellite.
RACHEL
As a result, Project Score only remained in orbit for 36 days.
PAUL
And during that month, it illustrated some of the promise of the newly born Space Age.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of December.
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.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 15th, 16th, and 17th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 15th, 16th, and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 15th 1612, German astronomer Simon Marius became the first person to observe Andromeda galaxy through a telescope.
RACHEL
Through his telescope, Marius discovered that the fuzzy spot grew brighter towards its center.
PAUL
He thought it was best described as looking like a candle shining through horn.
RACHEL
Little did Marius realize he was observing a great island of stars.
PAUL
In fact, it wasn’t until 1864 that a spectroscope was able to detect that the Andromeda nebula actually emitted light like a star and not a gas.
RACHEL
This was the clue astronomers needed to understand that Andromeda was actually a collection of stars so far away that they couldn’t be seen individually.
PAUL
One hundred years ago, astronomers began arguing whether or not Andromeda was what they called an island universe.
RACHEL
Being an island universe meant it wasn’t a star cluster within our galaxy, but actually a distant city of stars like the Milky Way.
PAUL
And by 1925, astronomers had the measurements they needed to prove that Andromeda was so far away that it had to be a galaxy like our own Milky Way.
RACHEL
And you can see this galaxy with binoculars.
PAUL
At 7:50 PM, point your binoculars straight up.
RACHEL
Just two degrees lower in the south will appear an oblong and fuzzy cloud.
PAUL
For a sense of scale, binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
RACHEL
The fuzzy cloud is the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million light years away.
PAUL
If you make this observation outside of town, you can see the galaxy with just your eyes.
RACHEL
And it you can’t make the observation exactly at 7:50 on the 15th, don’t worry.
PAUL
That’s because Andromeda will just appear slightly more towards the west if you look later.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th, 16th, and 17th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 15th, 16th, and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 15th 1612, German astronomer Simon Marius became the first person to observe Andromeda galaxy through a telescope.
RACHEL
Through his telescope, Marius discovered that the fuzzy spot grew brighter towards its center.
PAUL
He thought it was best described as looking like a candle shining through horn.
RACHEL
Little did Marius realize he was observing a great island of stars.
PAUL
In fact, it wasn’t until 1864 that a spectroscope was able to detect that the Andromeda nebula actually emitted light like a star and not a gas.
RACHEL
This was the clue astronomers needed to understand that Andromeda was actually a collection of stars so far away that they couldn’t be seen individually.
PAUL
One hundred years ago, astronomers began arguing whether or not Andromeda was what they called an island universe.
RACHEL
Being an island universe meant it wasn’t a star cluster within our galaxy, but actually a distant city of stars like the Milky Way.
PAUL
And by 1925, astronomers had the measurements they needed to prove that Andromeda was so far away that it had to be a galaxy like our own Milky Way.
RACHEL
And you can see this galaxy with binoculars.
PAUL
At 7:50 PM, point your binoculars straight up.
RACHEL
Just two degrees lower in the south will appear an oblong and fuzzy cloud.
PAUL
For a sense of scale, binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
RACHEL
The fuzzy cloud is the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million light years away.
PAUL
If you make this observation outside of town, you can see the galaxy with just your eyes.
RACHEL
And it you can’t make the observation exactly at 7:50 on the 15th, don’t worry.
PAUL
That’s because Andromeda will just appear slightly more towards the west if you look later.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th, 16th, and 17th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 13th and 14th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers with binoculars are in for a double treat on the morning of the 14th.
PAUL
Next to the thin crescent moon in the low east will be two unequally bright stars.
RACHEL
The brightest is Jupiter, a planet 11 times larger in diameter than Earth.
PAUL
The fainter is the double star Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi are fine binocular objects.
PAUL
Because they both show some sort of detail.
RACHEL
Jupiter for instance, will be accompanied by two of its brightest satellites.
PAUL
Below Jupiter, will the volcanic moon Io.
RACHEL
And above Jupiter will be the icy moon Europa.
PAUL
Zubenelgenubi on the other hand will turn into a double star through binoculars.
RACHEL
Even the moon is a fine binocular object, but too thin to show much in the way of details tonight.
PAUL
Stargazers wanting to spend time observing this trio should do so between 6:00 and 7:00 AM.
RACHEL
Recall that both Io and Europa are close to the size of our moon.
PAUL
So what you see though binoculars is how Earth’s moon would appear from Jupiter.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a twin star system 77 light years away.
PAUL
The fact that we can still see this star when it’s so far away indicates it’s much brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
In fact, about six times brighter.
PAUL
The distance between the stars of Zubenelgenubi is over 5,000 times greater than the distance between Earth and the sun.
RACHEL
This means our solar system would appear as a tiny blip between these two stars in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers with binoculars are in for a double treat on the morning of the 14th.
PAUL
Next to the thin crescent moon in the low east will be two unequally bright stars.
RACHEL
The brightest is Jupiter, a planet 11 times larger in diameter than Earth.
PAUL
The fainter is the double star Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi are fine binocular objects.
PAUL
Because they both show some sort of detail.
RACHEL
Jupiter for instance, will be accompanied by two of its brightest satellites.
PAUL
Below Jupiter, will the volcanic moon Io.
RACHEL
And above Jupiter will be the icy moon Europa.
PAUL
Zubenelgenubi on the other hand will turn into a double star through binoculars.
RACHEL
Even the moon is a fine binocular object, but too thin to show much in the way of details tonight.
PAUL
Stargazers wanting to spend time observing this trio should do so between 6:00 and 7:00 AM.
RACHEL
Recall that both Io and Europa are close to the size of our moon.
PAUL
So what you see though binoculars is how Earth’s moon would appear from Jupiter.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a twin star system 77 light years away.
PAUL
The fact that we can still see this star when it’s so far away indicates it’s much brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
In fact, about six times brighter.
PAUL
The distance between the stars of Zubenelgenubi is over 5,000 times greater than the distance between Earth and the sun.
RACHEL
This means our solar system would appear as a tiny blip between these two stars in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 11th and 12th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 12th, 1871, English astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer was in India to view a total solar eclipse.
RACHEL
He experienced a lot of difficulty getting to India, so Lockyer was very happy to be there in time to prepare for the eclipse.
PAUL
At the business end of his telescope was a spectroscope, or an instrument designed to split the sun’s light into its component colors.
RACHEL
Lockyer was looking for thin dark lines in the rainbow of light that his spectroscope produced.
PAUL
This was because in 1868, he and French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered the opposite, a bright yellow line in the sun’s spectrum during a similar eclipse.
RACHEL
By this time, astronomers and physicists understood that hot atoms emit patterns of colored lines unique to each element.
PAUL
The yellow line Lockyer and Janssen discovered had never been observed in any experiment performed on Earth before.
RACHEL
Lockyer understood this line came from a new element, one unknown on Earth.
PAUL
So he named the element after the sun god, Helios.
RACHEL
Helium would not be discovered on Earth until 1895, some 27 years later.
PAUL
The ability to detect elements on the sun contradicted the writings of philosopher Auguste Comte.
RACHEL
Comte claimed that the doctrine of Positivism meant that humans could never know the composition of the stars.
PAUL
Primarily because we could never travel to the stars to collect samples.
RACHEL
So by traveling to India with a telescope, Lockyer was using the black line(s) in the solar spectrum to discover the elements making up the sun.
PAUL
Score one for science and technology.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 12th, 1871, English astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer was in India to view a total solar eclipse.
RACHEL
He experienced a lot of difficulty getting to India, so Lockyer was very happy to be there in time to prepare for the eclipse.
PAUL
At the business end of his telescope was a spectroscope, or an instrument designed to split the sun’s light into its component colors.
RACHEL
Lockyer was looking for thin dark lines in the rainbow of light that his spectroscope produced.
PAUL
This was because in 1868, he and French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered the opposite, a bright yellow line in the sun’s spectrum during a similar eclipse.
RACHEL
By this time, astronomers and physicists understood that hot atoms emit patterns of colored lines unique to each element.
PAUL
The yellow line Lockyer and Janssen discovered had never been observed in any experiment performed on Earth before.
RACHEL
Lockyer understood this line came from a new element, one unknown on Earth.
PAUL
So he named the element after the sun god, Helios.
RACHEL
Helium would not be discovered on Earth until 1895, some 27 years later.
PAUL
The ability to detect elements on the sun contradicted the writings of philosopher Auguste Comte.
RACHEL
Comte claimed that the doctrine of Positivism meant that humans could never know the composition of the stars.
PAUL
Primarily because we could never travel to the stars to collect samples.
RACHEL
So by traveling to India with a telescope, Lockyer was using the black line(s) in the solar spectrum to discover the elements making up the sun.
PAUL
Score one for science and technology.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, December 4, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 8th, 9th, and 10th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 8th, 9th, and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
What are the best moon phases for stargazers with binoculars?
PAUL
That would be when the moon is half full, or at first and third quarter phases.
RACHEL
Good, the moon stands at third quarter on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th.
PAUL
Do you know why the moon makes a better binocular target when it’s half full?
RACHEL
Sure. Because when it’s half full, the lunar terminator is directly between the Earth and moon.
PAUL
Remember that the terminator is the boundary between day and night.
RACHEL
And that it marks the location of sunrise and sunset...
PAUL
...or when the shadows cast by the sun stretch their longest across the ground.
RACHEL
Since the terminator is directly between the Earth and moon, the shadows are not foreshortened by the curvature of the moon.
PAUL
The result is long shadows that accentuate small changes in the lunar surface.
RACHEL
This makes it much easier to see features like craters and mountains on the moon, even small ones.
PAUL
Binoculars, with their two inch lens, can make out craters as small as five or six miles across on the moon.
RACHEL
Meaning that over 100 craters are potentially visible through binoculars, especially in the moon’s southern hemisphere.
PAUL
That’s an old region of the moon and it hasn’t been subject to lava flows.
RACHEL
Being old terrain means there’s been lots of time to accumulate craters.
PAUL
And no lava flows means none of these craters have been covered up.
RACHEL
So get your binoculars out on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th and spend a little quality time with the moon.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 8th, 9th, and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
What are the best moon phases for stargazers with binoculars?
PAUL
That would be when the moon is half full, or at first and third quarter phases.
RACHEL
Good, the moon stands at third quarter on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th.
PAUL
Do you know why the moon makes a better binocular target when it’s half full?
RACHEL
Sure. Because when it’s half full, the lunar terminator is directly between the Earth and moon.
PAUL
Remember that the terminator is the boundary between day and night.
RACHEL
And that it marks the location of sunrise and sunset...
PAUL
...or when the shadows cast by the sun stretch their longest across the ground.
RACHEL
Since the terminator is directly between the Earth and moon, the shadows are not foreshortened by the curvature of the moon.
PAUL
The result is long shadows that accentuate small changes in the lunar surface.
RACHEL
This makes it much easier to see features like craters and mountains on the moon, even small ones.
PAUL
Binoculars, with their two inch lens, can make out craters as small as five or six miles across on the moon.
RACHEL
Meaning that over 100 craters are potentially visible through binoculars, especially in the moon’s southern hemisphere.
PAUL
That’s an old region of the moon and it hasn’t been subject to lava flows.
RACHEL
Being old terrain means there’s been lots of time to accumulate craters.
PAUL
And no lava flows means none of these craters have been covered up.
RACHEL
So get your binoculars out on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th and spend a little quality time with the moon.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 6th and 7th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey, the Beehive star cluster is only three degrees away from the moon on the 7th.
RACHEL
By the way, three degrees is less than half the field of view through binoculars.
PAUL
The Beehive is large and bright enough that stargazers can see this star cluster as a fuzzy patch with just their eyes in dark skies.
RACHEL
But the Beehive really shines in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s where the star cluster appears as a swarm of stars instead of a fuzzy spot.
RACHEL
In fact, in good skies, stargazers may see as many as two dozen stars in a small area.
PAUL
The stars inside a star cluster are stellar brothers and sisters.
RACHEL
That’s because they were born from the same parent cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
Like siblings, stars in a star cluster will eventually leave their homes to wander the galaxy.
RACHEL
They’ll develop the tendency to never call their moms, either.
PAUL
The presence of the moon will make it easier for city dwellers to find the Beehive star cluster.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at the moon at around 5:00 AM on the 7th.
PAUL
Then look to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
About six lunar diameters away stargazers will see a grouping of stars about the size of the moon.
PAUL
The stars will remind many stargazers of a swarm of bees around their hive.
RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster is 577 light years away.
PAUL
So the light you see tonight left in the year 1440, or 52 years before Columbus left Spain on a voyage that he thought would bring him to India (and China).
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey, the Beehive star cluster is only three degrees away from the moon on the 7th.
RACHEL
By the way, three degrees is less than half the field of view through binoculars.
PAUL
The Beehive is large and bright enough that stargazers can see this star cluster as a fuzzy patch with just their eyes in dark skies.
RACHEL
But the Beehive really shines in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s where the star cluster appears as a swarm of stars instead of a fuzzy spot.
RACHEL
In fact, in good skies, stargazers may see as many as two dozen stars in a small area.
PAUL
The stars inside a star cluster are stellar brothers and sisters.
RACHEL
That’s because they were born from the same parent cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
Like siblings, stars in a star cluster will eventually leave their homes to wander the galaxy.
RACHEL
They’ll develop the tendency to never call their moms, either.
PAUL
The presence of the moon will make it easier for city dwellers to find the Beehive star cluster.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at the moon at around 5:00 AM on the 7th.
PAUL
Then look to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
About six lunar diameters away stargazers will see a grouping of stars about the size of the moon.
PAUL
The stars will remind many stargazers of a swarm of bees around their hive.
RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster is 577 light years away.
PAUL
So the light you see tonight left in the year 1440, or 52 years before Columbus left Spain on a voyage that he thought would bring him to India (and China).
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 December 4th and 5th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 4th and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Do you remember the names of two rovers that are still traversing the Martian surface?
PAUL
Sure, one is Opportunity and the other is Curiosity.
RACHEL
Opportunity landed in 2004 and has traveled over 28 miles across the Martian surface.
PAUL
Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 and it has covered over 10 miles of Martian terrain.
RACHEL
There are two other Mars rovers, Spirit and Sojourner.
PAUL
And it all began with the first, Sojourner, which was launched 21 years ago this Monday.
RACHEL
After an eight month flight, she landed on Mars on Independence Day, 1997.
PAUL
Sojourner was a secondary payload to the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft.
RACHEL
Which was the third American spacecraft that landed on Mars.
PAUL
This was 21 years after the previous two landers, Viking 1 and Viking 2.
RACHEL
Since the Viking landers non-discovery of life was a little bit of a letdown, there was little interest in trying to land on Mars again.
PAUL
Which is a shame, since Mars is actually quite an interesting place.
RACHEL
Sojourner’s success is what led to the rovers exploring Mars today.
PAUL
The Sojourner rover was only the size of a microwave oven.
RACHEL
The Sojourner rover was solar powered and depended on the Mars Pathfinder lander for communication with Earth.
PAUL
JPL sent Sojourner out to sample neighboring rocks using its Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer.
RACHEL
JPL designed the little rover to function for seven days, but it ended up operating for 82.
PAUL
And she drove a bit more than 300 feet during that time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th and 5th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 4th and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Do you remember the names of two rovers that are still traversing the Martian surface?
PAUL
Sure, one is Opportunity and the other is Curiosity.
RACHEL
Opportunity landed in 2004 and has traveled over 28 miles across the Martian surface.
PAUL
Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 and it has covered over 10 miles of Martian terrain.
RACHEL
There are two other Mars rovers, Spirit and Sojourner.
PAUL
And it all began with the first, Sojourner, which was launched 21 years ago this Monday.
RACHEL
After an eight month flight, she landed on Mars on Independence Day, 1997.
PAUL
Sojourner was a secondary payload to the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft.
RACHEL
Which was the third American spacecraft that landed on Mars.
PAUL
This was 21 years after the previous two landers, Viking 1 and Viking 2.
RACHEL
Since the Viking landers non-discovery of life was a little bit of a letdown, there was little interest in trying to land on Mars again.
PAUL
Which is a shame, since Mars is actually quite an interesting place.
RACHEL
Sojourner’s success is what led to the rovers exploring Mars today.
PAUL
The Sojourner rover was only the size of a microwave oven.
RACHEL
The Sojourner rover was solar powered and depended on the Mars Pathfinder lander for communication with Earth.
PAUL
JPL sent Sojourner out to sample neighboring rocks using its Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer.
RACHEL
JPL designed the little rover to function for seven days, but it ended up operating for 82.
PAUL
And she drove a bit more than 300 feet during that time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th and 5th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
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