RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft to successfully land on another astronomical body was Luna 9.
PAUL
The spacecraft set down on the moon on February 3rd, 1966.
RACHEL
It was a Soviet spacecraft and one of the early volleys fired in the Space Race between the US and USSR.
PAUL
Luna 3 weighed 250 pounds and it was mounted on top of a crasher stage.
RACHEL
A crasher stage is designed to slow down a payload, but not to land soft enough to survive the landing itself.
PAUL
So at the last moment, the crasher stage ejected the Luna 9 lander.
RACHEL
The spherical Luna 9 rolled a short distance away from the crash site and then opened up its four metal petals.
PAUL
The spacecraft was equipped with a television camera, which it used to send the first pictures of the lunar surface.
RACHEL
These images proved the moon’s surface was strong enough to support the weight of a spacecraft.
PAUL
And it proved that the surface would not engulf future astronauts like alien quicksand.
RACHEL
On the 4th, we celebrate the birth of American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh.
PAUL
Tombaugh is known for his 1930 discovery of Pluto.
RACHEL
Some, but not many, late 19th and early 20th century astronomers had predicted the existence of a 9th planet based on supposed errors in the position of Neptune.
PAUL
As an astronomer at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, Tombaugh took nightly pictures of the sky.
RACHEL
By comparing two pictures of the same part of the sky on two different nights, he could detect changes in position that indicated a planet in motion.
PAUL
After finding hundreds of asteroids, Tombaugh finally found a distant planet.
RACHEL
But today we know Pluto is actually one of millions of icy asteroid-like bodies in cold depths of the solar system and not an actual planet.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of February.
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, January 29, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for January 31st and February 1st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 31st and February 1st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon becomes full at 7:27 AM on the 31st.
RACHEL
This is a super moon and the second full moon of January.
PAUL
Often called a Blue Moon, the second full moon of the month is not necessarily a Blue Moon.
RACHEL
And Idaho Skies will explain this in March when we actually do have a Blue Moon.
PAUL
What’s most important about this full moon is that it’s passing through the center of Earth’s shadow.
RACHEL
Meaning Idaho stargazers will be able to see a total lunar eclipse on the morning of Wednesday the 31st.
PAUL
The moon enters Earth’s fainter outer shadow or penumbra at 3:53 AM.
RACHEL
But the eclipse won’t be noticeable until around 4:30 in the morning.
PAUL
By 5:30 AM, the moon will enter well within deeper center of Earth’s shadow, or umbra.
RACHEL
By then, stargazers will be able to see a red glow across the lunar surface.
PAUL
That red glow comes from all of the sunsets occurring around the rim of the Earth, from the moon’s perspective.
RACHEL
An astronaut standing on the moon would see a bright red-orange ring overhead where Earth normally appears.
PAUL
The first light of dawn begins around 6:30 AM, so you’ll have between 5:30 and 6:30 to get your best views of the eclipse.
RACHEL
And since this is the Super Moon for 2018, the lunar eclipse will appear about 10% larger than on average.
PAUL
So take a peek at the moon after you wake up and as you drive to work on the 31st.
RACHEL
The moon will appear in the low west and have a distinctive red tint.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 31st of January and 1st of February.
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 January 31st and February 1st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon becomes full at 7:27 AM on the 31st.
RACHEL
This is a super moon and the second full moon of January.
PAUL
Often called a Blue Moon, the second full moon of the month is not necessarily a Blue Moon.
RACHEL
And Idaho Skies will explain this in March when we actually do have a Blue Moon.
PAUL
What’s most important about this full moon is that it’s passing through the center of Earth’s shadow.
RACHEL
Meaning Idaho stargazers will be able to see a total lunar eclipse on the morning of Wednesday the 31st.
PAUL
The moon enters Earth’s fainter outer shadow or penumbra at 3:53 AM.
RACHEL
But the eclipse won’t be noticeable until around 4:30 in the morning.
PAUL
By 5:30 AM, the moon will enter well within deeper center of Earth’s shadow, or umbra.
RACHEL
By then, stargazers will be able to see a red glow across the lunar surface.
PAUL
That red glow comes from all of the sunsets occurring around the rim of the Earth, from the moon’s perspective.
RACHEL
An astronaut standing on the moon would see a bright red-orange ring overhead where Earth normally appears.
PAUL
The first light of dawn begins around 6:30 AM, so you’ll have between 5:30 and 6:30 to get your best views of the eclipse.
RACHEL
And since this is the Super Moon for 2018, the lunar eclipse will appear about 10% larger than on average.
PAUL
So take a peek at the moon after you wake up and as you drive to work on the 31st.
RACHEL
The moon will appear in the low west and have a distinctive red tint.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 31st of January and 1st of February.
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 January 29th and 30th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 29th and 30th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
One of the finest star clusters visible from Idaho is the Beehive star cluster.
PAUL
This star cluster is bright enough, that in dark skies, it appears as a hazy patched next to two stars in Cancer the Crab.
RACHEL
You’ll find this star cluster a mere three degrees left of the moon the 30th.
PAUL
So place the moon in the right edge of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Then the star cluster will appear as sprinkle of stars in the center of your binoculars.
PAUL
That sprinkle of 20 or so stars will appear as large as the moon, so it’s difficult to miss.
RACHEL
Star clusters like the Beehive are born inside of nebulae, or cloud of dust and gas spanning light years.
PAUL
Unless a nebula is very massive, it won’t collapse on its own.
RACHEL
So a smaller nebula needs some sort of gravitational disturbance to make it collapse.
PAUL
That event could be something like a passing star...
RACHEL
...a nearby supernova explosion...
PAUL
...or even the collision of its parent galaxy with another galaxy.
RACHEL
Once the cloud begins its collapse, its internal gas pressure can no longer support its increasing density.
PAUL
And so, the cloud breaks up into a multitude of shrinking gas bubbles that grow hotter as they get smaller.
RACHEL
The shrinking bubbles eventually reach a point where the majority of their mass is less than a million miles across.
PAUL
Then depending on its total mass, the cloud’s core will grow hot enough to fuse hydrogen.
RACHEL
And then, a star is born.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of January.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Pauel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 29th and 30th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
One of the finest star clusters visible from Idaho is the Beehive star cluster.
PAUL
This star cluster is bright enough, that in dark skies, it appears as a hazy patched next to two stars in Cancer the Crab.
RACHEL
You’ll find this star cluster a mere three degrees left of the moon the 30th.
PAUL
So place the moon in the right edge of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Then the star cluster will appear as sprinkle of stars in the center of your binoculars.
PAUL
That sprinkle of 20 or so stars will appear as large as the moon, so it’s difficult to miss.
RACHEL
Star clusters like the Beehive are born inside of nebulae, or cloud of dust and gas spanning light years.
PAUL
Unless a nebula is very massive, it won’t collapse on its own.
RACHEL
So a smaller nebula needs some sort of gravitational disturbance to make it collapse.
PAUL
That event could be something like a passing star...
RACHEL
...a nearby supernova explosion...
PAUL
...or even the collision of its parent galaxy with another galaxy.
RACHEL
Once the cloud begins its collapse, its internal gas pressure can no longer support its increasing density.
PAUL
And so, the cloud breaks up into a multitude of shrinking gas bubbles that grow hotter as they get smaller.
RACHEL
The shrinking bubbles eventually reach a point where the majority of their mass is less than a million miles across.
PAUL
Then depending on its total mass, the cloud’s core will grow hot enough to fuse hydrogen.
RACHEL
And then, a star is born.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of January.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Pauel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for January 26th, 27th, and 28th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 26th, 27th, and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
After it gets dark on the 26th, go outside with binoculars and look for the moon.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the moon skirting the edge of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
The Hyades is V shaped and its represents the face of Taurus the Bull.
PAUL
The bull’s eye is the orangish star Aldebaran, which appears at one tip of the Hyades.
RACHEL
The moon slowly approaches this star all night long.
PAUL
Or at least until 3:00 AM when the moon sets.
RACHEL
Binoculars aimed at the Hyades will fill with a wide scattering of stars.
PAUL
And the moon will be perfectly placed to form the vertex of the sideways V of stars.
RACHEL
The next night, the 27th, the moon will appear above Orion the Hunter.
PAUL
Orion is a large and bright constellation.
RACHEL
Which appears as a rectangle of stars below and right of the moon.
PAUL
Then on the 28th, stargazers will find the moon at the feet of Gemini the Twins.
RACHEL
Gemini consists of two parallel rows of stars and they’ll be visible on the left side of the moon.
PAUL
Why is this region of the sky filled with so many bright stars?
RACHEL
Astronomers have asked the same question.
PAUL
They found that these stars are part of a bright ring of stars between 1,500 and 2,400 light years wide that circles the solar system.
RACHEL
Astronomers have given the ring the name Gould’s Belt and it’s at least 30 million years old.
PAUL
Whatever caused it, resulted in additional bright stars including those in Scorpius the Scorpion.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 26th, 27th and 28th of January.
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 January 26th, 27th, and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
After it gets dark on the 26th, go outside with binoculars and look for the moon.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the moon skirting the edge of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
The Hyades is V shaped and its represents the face of Taurus the Bull.
PAUL
The bull’s eye is the orangish star Aldebaran, which appears at one tip of the Hyades.
RACHEL
The moon slowly approaches this star all night long.
PAUL
Or at least until 3:00 AM when the moon sets.
RACHEL
Binoculars aimed at the Hyades will fill with a wide scattering of stars.
PAUL
And the moon will be perfectly placed to form the vertex of the sideways V of stars.
RACHEL
The next night, the 27th, the moon will appear above Orion the Hunter.
PAUL
Orion is a large and bright constellation.
RACHEL
Which appears as a rectangle of stars below and right of the moon.
PAUL
Then on the 28th, stargazers will find the moon at the feet of Gemini the Twins.
RACHEL
Gemini consists of two parallel rows of stars and they’ll be visible on the left side of the moon.
PAUL
Why is this region of the sky filled with so many bright stars?
RACHEL
Astronomers have asked the same question.
PAUL
They found that these stars are part of a bright ring of stars between 1,500 and 2,400 light years wide that circles the solar system.
RACHEL
Astronomers have given the ring the name Gould’s Belt and it’s at least 30 million years old.
PAUL
Whatever caused it, resulted in additional bright stars including those in Scorpius the Scorpion.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 26th, 27th and 28th of January.
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 January 24th and 25th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 24th and 25th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches first quarter on the 24th.
RACHEL
So take a peek at the moon after dark.
PAUL
Before using your binoculars though, use just your eyes and look for a dark oval on the right edge of the moon.
RACHEL
This is Mare Crisium, or the Sea of Crises.
PAUL
This lunar sea is 345 miles across.
RACHEL
That’s 40 miles wider than Idaho but 120 miles shorter than Idaho is tall.
PAUL
Lunar seas like the Sea of Crises are lava-filled impact basins.
RACHEL
The impact creating this basin occurred between 3.9 and 4.5 billion years ago.
PAUL
Layers of molten rock, perhaps even miles thick, slowly filled with impact basin with sheets of lava.
RACHEL
Since this occurred after most planet-forming bodies had been swept up by the planets, there are very few large craters in the Sea of Crises.
PAUL
The Sea of Crises received its official name from Jesuit astronomer Giovanni Riccioli in 1651.
RACHEL
But at other times, this lunar sea was called the Caspian Sea and Brittania.
PAUL
There’s a crashed spacecraft in the Sea of Crises and it happened on the same day that the Apollo 11 astronauts set foot on the moon.
RACHEL
The Soviet Union sent the unmanned Luna 15 spacecraft to the moon in the hopes of returning a moon sample before the Americans.
PAUL
Unbeknownst to Soviet scientists and engineers, there was a mountain between Luna 15 and its landing site.
RACHEL
So as the Luna 15 was preparing to land, it ran head on into the side of a mountain.
PAUL
And turned into an expanding pile of expensive debris.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th and 25th of January.
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 January 24th and 25th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches first quarter on the 24th.
RACHEL
So take a peek at the moon after dark.
PAUL
Before using your binoculars though, use just your eyes and look for a dark oval on the right edge of the moon.
RACHEL
This is Mare Crisium, or the Sea of Crises.
PAUL
This lunar sea is 345 miles across.
RACHEL
That’s 40 miles wider than Idaho but 120 miles shorter than Idaho is tall.
PAUL
Lunar seas like the Sea of Crises are lava-filled impact basins.
RACHEL
The impact creating this basin occurred between 3.9 and 4.5 billion years ago.
PAUL
Layers of molten rock, perhaps even miles thick, slowly filled with impact basin with sheets of lava.
RACHEL
Since this occurred after most planet-forming bodies had been swept up by the planets, there are very few large craters in the Sea of Crises.
PAUL
The Sea of Crises received its official name from Jesuit astronomer Giovanni Riccioli in 1651.
RACHEL
But at other times, this lunar sea was called the Caspian Sea and Brittania.
PAUL
There’s a crashed spacecraft in the Sea of Crises and it happened on the same day that the Apollo 11 astronauts set foot on the moon.
RACHEL
The Soviet Union sent the unmanned Luna 15 spacecraft to the moon in the hopes of returning a moon sample before the Americans.
PAUL
Unbeknownst to Soviet scientists and engineers, there was a mountain between Luna 15 and its landing site.
RACHEL
So as the Luna 15 was preparing to land, it ran head on into the side of a mountain.
PAUL
And turned into an expanding pile of expensive debris.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th and 25th of January.
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 January 22nd and 23rd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Twenty years ago, the United States and Russia where flying international space missions to the Mir space station.
PAUL
One of them was Space Shuttle flight STS-89, which NASA launched on January 22nd, 1998.
RACHEL
Mir was an aging Russian space station and the Space Shuttle was transferring supplies and astronauts with the station.
PAUL
The United States hoped that this exercise would create a sense of cooperation between the two competing space powers.
RACHEL
And eventually, lead to the International Space Station that’s in operation today.
PAUL
Unfortunately, the age and generally poor condition of Mir resulted in the lost of several American experiments.
RACHEL
Some of the American experiments became inaccessible after the collision between an unmanned Russian resupply mission and MIR.
PAUL
Hey stargazers, the seventh planet is easily observable through binoculars.
RACHEL
The problem in seeing Uranus is knowing where to point those binoculars.
PAUL
Fortunately, the moon comes to our rescue on the 23rd.
RACHEL
The distance between the moon and Uranus is five degrees or 2/3rds of the way across a binocular’s field of view.
PAUL
So aim your binoculars at the moon at around 7:30 PM.
RACHEL
Then place the moon on the edge of your field of view in the 7:00 position.
PAUL
Uranus will be the last star you’ll see in the upper right of your view.
RACHEL
The planet is bright enough that you’ll be able to see it in town.
PAUL
However, it will be easier if you get out from under street lights and away from house lighting.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of January.
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 January 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Twenty years ago, the United States and Russia where flying international space missions to the Mir space station.
PAUL
One of them was Space Shuttle flight STS-89, which NASA launched on January 22nd, 1998.
RACHEL
Mir was an aging Russian space station and the Space Shuttle was transferring supplies and astronauts with the station.
PAUL
The United States hoped that this exercise would create a sense of cooperation between the two competing space powers.
RACHEL
And eventually, lead to the International Space Station that’s in operation today.
PAUL
Unfortunately, the age and generally poor condition of Mir resulted in the lost of several American experiments.
RACHEL
Some of the American experiments became inaccessible after the collision between an unmanned Russian resupply mission and MIR.
PAUL
Hey stargazers, the seventh planet is easily observable through binoculars.
RACHEL
The problem in seeing Uranus is knowing where to point those binoculars.
PAUL
Fortunately, the moon comes to our rescue on the 23rd.
RACHEL
The distance between the moon and Uranus is five degrees or 2/3rds of the way across a binocular’s field of view.
PAUL
So aim your binoculars at the moon at around 7:30 PM.
RACHEL
Then place the moon on the edge of your field of view in the 7:00 position.
PAUL
Uranus will be the last star you’ll see in the upper right of your view.
RACHEL
The planet is bright enough that you’ll be able to see it in town.
PAUL
However, it will be easier if you get out from under street lights and away from house lighting.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of January.
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.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for January 19th, 20th, and 21st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 19th, 20th, and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Sharp-eyed stargazers will find a two-day old moon on the 19th.
PAUL
Since it’s only two days old, it will be a very thin crescent.
RACHEL
Look in the very low southwest at around 7:00 PM, or as soon as it gets dark.
PAUL
The moon will be so thin that it will be difficult to see lunar detail, even through binoculars.
RACHEL
But binoculars still help you find the moon.
PAUL
The moon will be too close to the horizon to show any earthshine.
RACHEL
So keep an eye on the moon for the next three or so nights in order to see the old moon in the arms of the young.
PAUL
That’s a fancy name for earthshine.
RACHEL
On Friday, be sure to look for a bright star to the moon’s left.
PAUL
You’ll observe Fomalhaut, that lonely star you were seeing in the low south last autumn.
RACHEL
Now for something difficult.
PAUL
If you aim your binoculars at the moon on the 20th, you can see Neptune.
RACHEL
Neptune will be three degrees right of the moon.
PAUL
This means if you center the moon on the left edge of your binoculars, Neptune will be just left of center.
RACHEL
Be careful though, there will be a bright star almost exactly in the center of your view.
PAUL
So look just a little left of that star and back towards the moon.
RACHEL
Neptune will be significantly fainter than the central star, so this observation is best made outside of town.
PAUL
And Neptune will form the corner of a triangle of five stars that are visible in your binoculars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th, 20th, and 21st of January.
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 January 19th, 20th, and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Sharp-eyed stargazers will find a two-day old moon on the 19th.
PAUL
Since it’s only two days old, it will be a very thin crescent.
RACHEL
Look in the very low southwest at around 7:00 PM, or as soon as it gets dark.
PAUL
The moon will be so thin that it will be difficult to see lunar detail, even through binoculars.
RACHEL
But binoculars still help you find the moon.
PAUL
The moon will be too close to the horizon to show any earthshine.
RACHEL
So keep an eye on the moon for the next three or so nights in order to see the old moon in the arms of the young.
PAUL
That’s a fancy name for earthshine.
RACHEL
On Friday, be sure to look for a bright star to the moon’s left.
PAUL
You’ll observe Fomalhaut, that lonely star you were seeing in the low south last autumn.
RACHEL
Now for something difficult.
PAUL
If you aim your binoculars at the moon on the 20th, you can see Neptune.
RACHEL
Neptune will be three degrees right of the moon.
PAUL
This means if you center the moon on the left edge of your binoculars, Neptune will be just left of center.
RACHEL
Be careful though, there will be a bright star almost exactly in the center of your view.
PAUL
So look just a little left of that star and back towards the moon.
RACHEL
Neptune will be significantly fainter than the central star, so this observation is best made outside of town.
PAUL
And Neptune will form the corner of a triangle of five stars that are visible in your binoculars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th, 20th, and 21st of January.
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 January 17th and 18th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 17th and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon is new on the 17th.
RACHEL
That means it’s too close to the sun to see and will set before its gets dark.
PAUL
Perhaps this would be a good time to distinguish between the moon’s far side and the moon’s dark side.
RACHEL
Sure. The lunar far side is the half of the moon we can never see from Earth.
PAUL
And there’s no such thing as the dark side of the moon.
RACHEL
The far side exists because the moon’s day, or the time it takes to rotate once on its axis is 27.3 days.
PAUL
And the length of time it takes the moon to orbit Earth is also 27.3 days.
RACHEL
This means the moon rotates at exactly the rate at which its orbits Earth.
PAUL
The result is that there’s one side of the moon we can never see from Earth.
RACHEL
This is the moon’s far side and it was a mystery until the early Space Age in 1959.
PAUL
Actually, we can manage to see 9% of the moon’s far side.
RACHEL
The reason for this is called libration.
PAUL
One form of libration occurs because the moon’s orbit is elliptical.
RACHEL
This means there are times when the moon is recessing from or approaching Earth.
PAUL
And this allows the moon’s rotation to get a little ahead or behind a line between the centers of the moon and Earth.
RACHEL
A second form occurs because the moon’s orbit is tilted.
PAUL
So at times, the moon is either low or high in its orbit and we can see just peak over the moon’s top or bottom.
RACHEL
Finally, we can just glimpse a bit over the moon’s edge as it rises and sets.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th and 18th of January.
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 January 17th and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon is new on the 17th.
RACHEL
That means it’s too close to the sun to see and will set before its gets dark.
PAUL
Perhaps this would be a good time to distinguish between the moon’s far side and the moon’s dark side.
RACHEL
Sure. The lunar far side is the half of the moon we can never see from Earth.
PAUL
And there’s no such thing as the dark side of the moon.
RACHEL
The far side exists because the moon’s day, or the time it takes to rotate once on its axis is 27.3 days.
PAUL
And the length of time it takes the moon to orbit Earth is also 27.3 days.
RACHEL
This means the moon rotates at exactly the rate at which its orbits Earth.
PAUL
The result is that there’s one side of the moon we can never see from Earth.
RACHEL
This is the moon’s far side and it was a mystery until the early Space Age in 1959.
PAUL
Actually, we can manage to see 9% of the moon’s far side.
RACHEL
The reason for this is called libration.
PAUL
One form of libration occurs because the moon’s orbit is elliptical.
RACHEL
This means there are times when the moon is recessing from or approaching Earth.
PAUL
And this allows the moon’s rotation to get a little ahead or behind a line between the centers of the moon and Earth.
RACHEL
A second form occurs because the moon’s orbit is tilted.
PAUL
So at times, the moon is either low or high in its orbit and we can see just peak over the moon’s top or bottom.
RACHEL
Finally, we can just glimpse a bit over the moon’s edge as it rises and sets.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th and 18th of January.
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 January 15th and 16th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 15th and 16th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Forty-five years ago, the last American Apollo moon landing, Apollo 17, had already returned to Earth.
PAUL
But the Soviet Union wasn’t quite finished with the moon.
RACHEL
On January 16th, their unmanned Luna 21 spacecraft successfully landed on the moon.
PAUL
Its payload was a lunar rover named Lunokhod 2.
RACHEL
This rover was driven by a crew of five back on Earth using three video cameras mounted to the rover.
PAUL
The eight-wheeled Lunokhod 2 weighed 1,800 pounds back on Earth or 300 pounds on the moon.
RACHEL
Lunokhod 2 had a strong resemblance to a crab, with its round body and eight wheels protruding below the body.
PAUL
It was solar powered and those solar cells were mounted to the inside of a lid that covered its body during the cold lunar night.
RACHEL
Over four months, the rover drove a distance of 23.8 miles across the lunar surface, or the nearly the length of a marathon.
PAUL
In that time, it sent over 80,000 television pictures to its operators on Earth.
RACHEL
And it performed tests on soil mechanics, or how strongly the lunar soil or regolith resisted applied forces.
PAUL
In addition, Lunokhod 2 also measured how dark the lunar sky was in attempt to assess the moon’s use as an astronomical site.
RACHEL
Today Lunokhod 2 and its Luna 21 lander have a most unique distinction.
PAUL
They are the only spacecraft, residing on a celestial body that are under private ownership.
RACHEL
Game designer Richard Garriott purchased the pair from a Russian aerospace company for $68,500.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th and 16th of January.
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 January 15th and 16th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Forty-five years ago, the last American Apollo moon landing, Apollo 17, had already returned to Earth.
PAUL
But the Soviet Union wasn’t quite finished with the moon.
RACHEL
On January 16th, their unmanned Luna 21 spacecraft successfully landed on the moon.
PAUL
Its payload was a lunar rover named Lunokhod 2.
RACHEL
This rover was driven by a crew of five back on Earth using three video cameras mounted to the rover.
PAUL
The eight-wheeled Lunokhod 2 weighed 1,800 pounds back on Earth or 300 pounds on the moon.
RACHEL
Lunokhod 2 had a strong resemblance to a crab, with its round body and eight wheels protruding below the body.
PAUL
It was solar powered and those solar cells were mounted to the inside of a lid that covered its body during the cold lunar night.
RACHEL
Over four months, the rover drove a distance of 23.8 miles across the lunar surface, or the nearly the length of a marathon.
PAUL
In that time, it sent over 80,000 television pictures to its operators on Earth.
RACHEL
And it performed tests on soil mechanics, or how strongly the lunar soil or regolith resisted applied forces.
PAUL
In addition, Lunokhod 2 also measured how dark the lunar sky was in attempt to assess the moon’s use as an astronomical site.
RACHEL
Today Lunokhod 2 and its Luna 21 lander have a most unique distinction.
PAUL
They are the only spacecraft, residing on a celestial body that are under private ownership.
RACHEL
Game designer Richard Garriott purchased the pair from a Russian aerospace company for $68,500.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th and 16th of January.
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.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for January 12th, 13th, and 14th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 12th, 13th, and 14th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers going outside early in the morning will be able to see earthshine, Mercury, and Saturn this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
RACHEL
They’ll also be able to see that Mercury is rapidly approaching the sun.
PAUL
So let’s start on Friday morning at about 7:15 AM.
RACHEL
Stargazers will find the thin crescent moon low in the southeast.
PAUL
And even lower and slight left of the moon will be two planets, Saturn and Mercury.
RACHEL
Mercury and Saturn will be nearly side by side with Mercury being the slightly brighter of the two.
PAUL
Their distance apart will be one degree, or about 1/7th the distance across a binocular’s field of view.
RACHEL
On Saturday morning, stargazers will find the Moon closer to the planets, but now Mercury will be slightly below Saturn.
PAUL
Then on Sunday, the moon will form a straight line with Mercury and Saturn.
RACHEL
Stargazers will also notice that the distance between Mercury and Saturn is significantly wider than it was two days earlier.
PAUL
The reason for the change is the dramatic decrease in the elevation Mercury over two days.
RACHEL
Two days by the way is a bit more than 2% of a Mercurian year, or more than a week of an Earth year.
PAUL
The moon will be an incredibly thin crescent on the 14th.
RACHEL
Because the moon will only be two days from new.
PAUL
That’s younger and thinner than most people have ever seen the moon.
RACHEL
So enjoy watching the Moon, Mercury, and Saturn this weekend.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th, 13th, and 14th of January.
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 January 12th, 13th, and 14th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers going outside early in the morning will be able to see earthshine, Mercury, and Saturn this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
RACHEL
They’ll also be able to see that Mercury is rapidly approaching the sun.
PAUL
So let’s start on Friday morning at about 7:15 AM.
RACHEL
Stargazers will find the thin crescent moon low in the southeast.
PAUL
And even lower and slight left of the moon will be two planets, Saturn and Mercury.
RACHEL
Mercury and Saturn will be nearly side by side with Mercury being the slightly brighter of the two.
PAUL
Their distance apart will be one degree, or about 1/7th the distance across a binocular’s field of view.
RACHEL
On Saturday morning, stargazers will find the Moon closer to the planets, but now Mercury will be slightly below Saturn.
PAUL
Then on Sunday, the moon will form a straight line with Mercury and Saturn.
RACHEL
Stargazers will also notice that the distance between Mercury and Saturn is significantly wider than it was two days earlier.
PAUL
The reason for the change is the dramatic decrease in the elevation Mercury over two days.
RACHEL
Two days by the way is a bit more than 2% of a Mercurian year, or more than a week of an Earth year.
PAUL
The moon will be an incredibly thin crescent on the 14th.
RACHEL
Because the moon will only be two days from new.
PAUL
That’s younger and thinner than most people have ever seen the moon.
RACHEL
So enjoy watching the Moon, Mercury, and Saturn this weekend.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th, 13th, and 14th of January.
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 January 10th and 11th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 10th and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey! Idahoans are in for an astronomical treat on the morning of the 11th.
PAUL
Go outside by 5:30 AM or a bit later and you’ll find three stars forming a straight line next to the moon’s right side.
RACHEL
Three of these four objects are suitable for binocular viewing, so bring them outside with you.
PAUL
The three stars are actually two planets and one double star.
RACHEL
From the bottom and going up, the objects are Mars...
PAUL
...Jupiter...
RACHEL
...and Zubenelgenubi, which is the faintest of the three.
PAUL
First, take a look at the moon with your binoculars.
RACHEL
Stargazers won’t see that many craters, but they should be able to see earthshine on the moon’s dark portion.
PAUL
You should even see several lunar seas by the light of earthshine.
RACHEL
Next, aim your binoculars at Jupiter.
PAUL
Your binoculars will show two of its moons.
RACHEL
Be sure to brace your binoculars so they remain steady, if you want the clearest images of the moons.
PAUL
The two moons are Ganymede just below Jupiter and Callisto even further below.
RACHEL
Last is Zubenelgenubi, which will appear as a double star through binoculars.
PAUL
And the separation and orientation of the two stars comprising Zubenelgenubi will closely match Jupiter and Callisto.
RACHEL
What about Mars?
PAUL
Unfortunately, it’s too small and far away to show any detail through binoculars.
RACHEL
Finally, Idaho Skies wants to let our listeners to know that the Boise Astronomical Society is holding a free event this week for new telescope owners.
PAUL
If you received a new telescope this Christmas and you need help operating it, visit the society on Friday the 12th at Anser Charter School in Garden City.
RACHEL
Members of the society will be there starting at 7:00 PM to help everyone uncertain with how to operate their telescope.
PAUL
This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the amateur astronomers in our community.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th and 11th of January.
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 January 10th and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey! Idahoans are in for an astronomical treat on the morning of the 11th.
PAUL
Go outside by 5:30 AM or a bit later and you’ll find three stars forming a straight line next to the moon’s right side.
RACHEL
Three of these four objects are suitable for binocular viewing, so bring them outside with you.
PAUL
The three stars are actually two planets and one double star.
RACHEL
From the bottom and going up, the objects are Mars...
PAUL
...Jupiter...
RACHEL
...and Zubenelgenubi, which is the faintest of the three.
PAUL
First, take a look at the moon with your binoculars.
RACHEL
Stargazers won’t see that many craters, but they should be able to see earthshine on the moon’s dark portion.
PAUL
You should even see several lunar seas by the light of earthshine.
RACHEL
Next, aim your binoculars at Jupiter.
PAUL
Your binoculars will show two of its moons.
RACHEL
Be sure to brace your binoculars so they remain steady, if you want the clearest images of the moons.
PAUL
The two moons are Ganymede just below Jupiter and Callisto even further below.
RACHEL
Last is Zubenelgenubi, which will appear as a double star through binoculars.
PAUL
And the separation and orientation of the two stars comprising Zubenelgenubi will closely match Jupiter and Callisto.
RACHEL
What about Mars?
PAUL
Unfortunately, it’s too small and far away to show any detail through binoculars.
RACHEL
Finally, Idaho Skies wants to let our listeners to know that the Boise Astronomical Society is holding a free event this week for new telescope owners.
PAUL
If you received a new telescope this Christmas and you need help operating it, visit the society on Friday the 12th at Anser Charter School in Garden City.
RACHEL
Members of the society will be there starting at 7:00 PM to help everyone uncertain with how to operate their telescope.
PAUL
This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the amateur astronomers in our community.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th and 11th of January.
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 January 8th and 9th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 8th and 9th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches the last quarter phase on the 8th.
RACHEL
Last quarter phase is a good time to view the moon through binoculars, but stargazers will need to go outside after midnight.
PAUL
The moon reaches a third quarter seven days after full because it takes the moon 27.3 days to orbit Earth.
RACHEL
That is, relative to the stars.
PAUL
This 27.3 day orbit is called the synodic month and it was much shorter billions of years ago.
RACHEL
The reason a lunar month takes longer today is because the moon is slowly moving farther away from Earth.
PAUL
Measurements using the laser range finders left on the moon by the Apollo astronauts indicates that the moon moves 1.5 inches farther from Earth each year.
RACHEL
So why is the moon slowly spiraling away from Earth?
PAUL
The main reason is because that the moon’s gravity is raising tides on Earth.
RACHEL
Since Earth spins faster than the moon orbits, the gravity of those tides are pushing the moon ahead and therefore into a higher orbit.
PAUL
But as the moon moves further away from Earth, Earth has to slow down its rotation rate to compensate.
RACHEL
Astronomers predict that in several billion years, the length of Earth’s day and the length of Earth’s month will become equal.
PAUL
When that happens, one day in the future will be weeks long.
RACHEL
When that happens, the moon will remain stationary above one point on Earth.
PAUL
Only that hemisphere of Earth will ever see the moon and there will never be another moon rise.
RACHEL
The question is, will the sun have turned into a red giant and vaporize Earth and the moon before this happens.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th and 9th of January.
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 January 8th and 9th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches the last quarter phase on the 8th.
RACHEL
Last quarter phase is a good time to view the moon through binoculars, but stargazers will need to go outside after midnight.
PAUL
The moon reaches a third quarter seven days after full because it takes the moon 27.3 days to orbit Earth.
RACHEL
That is, relative to the stars.
PAUL
This 27.3 day orbit is called the synodic month and it was much shorter billions of years ago.
RACHEL
The reason a lunar month takes longer today is because the moon is slowly moving farther away from Earth.
PAUL
Measurements using the laser range finders left on the moon by the Apollo astronauts indicates that the moon moves 1.5 inches farther from Earth each year.
RACHEL
So why is the moon slowly spiraling away from Earth?
PAUL
The main reason is because that the moon’s gravity is raising tides on Earth.
RACHEL
Since Earth spins faster than the moon orbits, the gravity of those tides are pushing the moon ahead and therefore into a higher orbit.
PAUL
But as the moon moves further away from Earth, Earth has to slow down its rotation rate to compensate.
RACHEL
Astronomers predict that in several billion years, the length of Earth’s day and the length of Earth’s month will become equal.
PAUL
When that happens, one day in the future will be weeks long.
RACHEL
When that happens, the moon will remain stationary above one point on Earth.
PAUL
Only that hemisphere of Earth will ever see the moon and there will never be another moon rise.
RACHEL
The question is, will the sun have turned into a red giant and vaporize Earth and the moon before this happens.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th and 9th of January.
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.
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