RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Quick, name the two innermost planets.
PAUL
Easy, Mercury and Venus.
RACHEL
Well, these two worlds appear side by side on the evening of the 3rd.
PAUL
Venus will be bright and easy to see.
RACHEL
While Mercury will be fainter and just to the right of Venus.
PAUL
However, the two planets will appear very close together.
RACHEL
Which means you’ll see significant changes in their relative positions each night this week.
PAUL
To find Mercury and Venus, look in the low west at around 7 PM.
RACHEL
This will be after sunset when it’s safe to search this close to the sun.
PAUL
You won’t have a long time to look for them however, as they’re close to the horizon and setting soon.
RACHEL
It’ll be much easier to see them if you have a clear and low western horizon.
PAUL
So looking for them from the foothills would be ideal.
RACHEL
But even a yard will be fine, if your western horizon isn’t blocked by homes and trees.
PAUL
You might need a pair of binoculars to help you locate fainter Mercury.
RACHEL
But after you find it, you should be able to see it without optical aid.
PAUL
Since Venus is traveling away from the sun, it will appear higher above the horizon each evening.
RACHEL
But Mercury is on a tear and climbs faster than Venus until it peaks mid-month.
PAUL
Then tiny Mercury starts approaching the sun.
RACHEL
That means big differences in their relative positions for the rest of this month.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of March.
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.
Monday, February 26, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for February 28th and March 1st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 28th and March 1st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Take a quick look at the moon on the evening of the 28th.
RACHEL
That night, the moon is located in Leo the Lion and only two days from full.
PAUL
You’ll notice that there’s a bright star to the lower right of the moon. Can you guess its name?
RACHEL
If you said Regulus, then give yourself a pat on the back.
PAUL
Regulus represents the heart of Leo the Lion and its only ½ of a degree from the moon.
RACHEL
Or the same angular distance as the moon’s apparent diameter.
PAUL
Since the moon’s glare can be bright, Regulus will be easier to see if you use binoculars.
RACHEL
Regulus is 77 light years away from the solar system.
PAUL
So if you know someone who was born in 1941, then Regulus is their birthday star this year.
RACHEL
Fifty-two years ago on the 1st, the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another planet might have landed.
PAUL
Might have landed?
RACHEL
Yep, it might have. The Soviet’s launched Venera 3 the previous November with the hope of being the first to reach Venus.
PAUL
This was after their space program had suffered a long string of frustrations and failures with their previous unmanned missions.
RACHEL
This time, the launch successfully put the spacecraft on course for Venus.
PAUL
However, Venera 3’s radio system failed two weeks before it reached the planet.
RACHEL
Which means that the first spacecraft to reach another planet was probably dead on arrival.
PAUL
Hey, no one said that spaceflight was easy.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 28th of February and 1st of March.
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 February 28th and March 1st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Take a quick look at the moon on the evening of the 28th.
RACHEL
That night, the moon is located in Leo the Lion and only two days from full.
PAUL
You’ll notice that there’s a bright star to the lower right of the moon. Can you guess its name?
RACHEL
If you said Regulus, then give yourself a pat on the back.
PAUL
Regulus represents the heart of Leo the Lion and its only ½ of a degree from the moon.
RACHEL
Or the same angular distance as the moon’s apparent diameter.
PAUL
Since the moon’s glare can be bright, Regulus will be easier to see if you use binoculars.
RACHEL
Regulus is 77 light years away from the solar system.
PAUL
So if you know someone who was born in 1941, then Regulus is their birthday star this year.
RACHEL
Fifty-two years ago on the 1st, the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another planet might have landed.
PAUL
Might have landed?
RACHEL
Yep, it might have. The Soviet’s launched Venera 3 the previous November with the hope of being the first to reach Venus.
PAUL
This was after their space program had suffered a long string of frustrations and failures with their previous unmanned missions.
RACHEL
This time, the launch successfully put the spacecraft on course for Venus.
PAUL
However, Venera 3’s radio system failed two weeks before it reached the planet.
RACHEL
Which means that the first spacecraft to reach another planet was probably dead on arrival.
PAUL
Hey, no one said that spaceflight was easy.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 28th of February and 1st of March.
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 February 26th and 27th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 26th and 27th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On the 27th, we celebrate the 71st birthday of Alan Guth.
PAUL
Guth became famous in 1981 after he published a paper about the explosive growth in size that the early universe experienced at its birth.
RACHEL
He called this inflation and the concept helped settle a complex problem about the shape of the universe.
PAUL
The problem is that as best as astronomer’s can tell, the universe is exactly flat.
RACHEL
However, solutions to Einstein’s equations indicate that the universe is more likely to be curved, either spherically or saddle-shaped.
PAUL
So why was the universe so flat when there are an infinitely greater number of ways for it to be curved?
RACHEL
Well, Guth proposed that at its birth, the universe ballooned out explosively.
PAUL
And as a result, the initial curvature in the universe was smoothed out by its rapid expansion.
RACHEL
How explosive is this expansion that we’re talking about?
PAUL
Guth proposed a 10 quadrillion increase in its size in less than one octillionth of a second.
RACHEL
Yep, any curvature would definitely be smoothed out by that.
PAUL
On the evening of the 27th, be sure to aim your binoculars at the moon.
RACHEL
Because the Beehive star cluster will appear one binocular field of view above and slightly right of the moon.
PAUL
So to see it, place the moon at the bottom of your view.
RACHEL
Then you’ll see this cluster of about two dozen stars at the one o’clock edge.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 26th and 27th 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 February 26th and 27th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On the 27th, we celebrate the 71st birthday of Alan Guth.
PAUL
Guth became famous in 1981 after he published a paper about the explosive growth in size that the early universe experienced at its birth.
RACHEL
He called this inflation and the concept helped settle a complex problem about the shape of the universe.
PAUL
The problem is that as best as astronomer’s can tell, the universe is exactly flat.
RACHEL
However, solutions to Einstein’s equations indicate that the universe is more likely to be curved, either spherically or saddle-shaped.
PAUL
So why was the universe so flat when there are an infinitely greater number of ways for it to be curved?
RACHEL
Well, Guth proposed that at its birth, the universe ballooned out explosively.
PAUL
And as a result, the initial curvature in the universe was smoothed out by its rapid expansion.
RACHEL
How explosive is this expansion that we’re talking about?
PAUL
Guth proposed a 10 quadrillion increase in its size in less than one octillionth of a second.
RACHEL
Yep, any curvature would definitely be smoothed out by that.
PAUL
On the evening of the 27th, be sure to aim your binoculars at the moon.
RACHEL
Because the Beehive star cluster will appear one binocular field of view above and slightly right of the moon.
PAUL
So to see it, place the moon at the bottom of your view.
RACHEL
Then you’ll see this cluster of about two dozen stars at the one o’clock edge.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 26th and 27th 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.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for February 23rd, 24th, and 25th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 23rd, 24th, and 25th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon is first quarter on the 23rd.
PAUL
The half-moon is one of the best astronomical objects for viewing through binoculars, spotting scope, or even a small telescope.
RACHEL
The craters along the terminator or boundary between day and night appear sharp because of the long shadows they cast.
PAUL
So look closely at the craters tonight and see if you can detect these two features of large craters.
RACHEL
First, look for a central peak.
PAUL
The instant that a meteorite strikes the lunar surface, it compresses the material below it.
RACHEL
However, rock doesn’t like that compression, so it rebounds as soon as the impact is over and the pressure is relieved.
PAUL
This can result in a central peak that’s over a mile high.
RACHEL
Now look for terraces along the inside of some crater rims.
PAUL
The impact of a meteorite blasts away material to create a crater.
RACHEL
And the walls of the newly formed crater are often too steep, so they collapse in landslides to create terraces.
PAUL
Small craters tend to be just bowl shaped and don’t have these features.
RACHEL
While you’re moon gazing, scan the neighborhood that the moon is visiting.
PAUL
It’s located at the tip of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
So you’ll also see the bright star Aldebaran to the moon’s right.
PAUL
And the combination of moon and Hyades will form an attractive sight for your binoculars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of February.
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 February 23rd, 24th, and 25th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon is first quarter on the 23rd.
PAUL
The half-moon is one of the best astronomical objects for viewing through binoculars, spotting scope, or even a small telescope.
RACHEL
The craters along the terminator or boundary between day and night appear sharp because of the long shadows they cast.
PAUL
So look closely at the craters tonight and see if you can detect these two features of large craters.
RACHEL
First, look for a central peak.
PAUL
The instant that a meteorite strikes the lunar surface, it compresses the material below it.
RACHEL
However, rock doesn’t like that compression, so it rebounds as soon as the impact is over and the pressure is relieved.
PAUL
This can result in a central peak that’s over a mile high.
RACHEL
Now look for terraces along the inside of some crater rims.
PAUL
The impact of a meteorite blasts away material to create a crater.
RACHEL
And the walls of the newly formed crater are often too steep, so they collapse in landslides to create terraces.
PAUL
Small craters tend to be just bowl shaped and don’t have these features.
RACHEL
While you’re moon gazing, scan the neighborhood that the moon is visiting.
PAUL
It’s located at the tip of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
So you’ll also see the bright star Aldebaran to the moon’s right.
PAUL
And the combination of moon and Hyades will form an attractive sight for your binoculars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of February.
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 February 21st and 22nd
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
You’ll find that the moon is being escorted by two attractive star clusters on the 22nd.
RACHEL
In fact, it looks like the moon has a star cluster in each arm that night.
PAUL
Which tells me that the moon has good taste in the company it keeps.
RACHEL
The star clusters are the Pleiades to the moon’s upper right...
PAUL
...and the Hyades to its upper left.
RACHEL
Both star clusters are packed with stars, but they do have some noticeable differences.
PAUL
To start with, the Hyades spans 33 light years and the Pleiades spans 45 light years.
RACHEL
So they’re roughly the same size.
PAUL
But the Hyades is only 150 light years away compared to the Pleiades which is 440 light years away.
RACHEL
Since the Hyades is closer to the solar system, it appears larger than the Pleiades.
PAUL
Second, the Hyades is 700 million years old while the Pleiades is only 100 million years old.
RACHEL
Meaning the stars of the Hyades has had more time to drift farther apart from one another.
PAUL
Without optical aid, stargazers should be able to see six stars in the Pleaides and about a dozen stars in the Hyades.
RACHEL
However, through binoculars, they’ll be able to see over two dozen stars in each star cluster.
PAUL
The stars of the Pleiades will be packed closely together and appear like a scattering of diamond dust.
RACHEL
But the Hyades is so large that it spans the binocular’s entire field of view.
PAUL
And that will weaken the glittery appearance of the star cluster.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of February.
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 February 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
You’ll find that the moon is being escorted by two attractive star clusters on the 22nd.
RACHEL
In fact, it looks like the moon has a star cluster in each arm that night.
PAUL
Which tells me that the moon has good taste in the company it keeps.
RACHEL
The star clusters are the Pleiades to the moon’s upper right...
PAUL
...and the Hyades to its upper left.
RACHEL
Both star clusters are packed with stars, but they do have some noticeable differences.
PAUL
To start with, the Hyades spans 33 light years and the Pleiades spans 45 light years.
RACHEL
So they’re roughly the same size.
PAUL
But the Hyades is only 150 light years away compared to the Pleiades which is 440 light years away.
RACHEL
Since the Hyades is closer to the solar system, it appears larger than the Pleiades.
PAUL
Second, the Hyades is 700 million years old while the Pleiades is only 100 million years old.
RACHEL
Meaning the stars of the Hyades has had more time to drift farther apart from one another.
PAUL
Without optical aid, stargazers should be able to see six stars in the Pleaides and about a dozen stars in the Hyades.
RACHEL
However, through binoculars, they’ll be able to see over two dozen stars in each star cluster.
PAUL
The stars of the Pleiades will be packed closely together and appear like a scattering of diamond dust.
RACHEL
But the Hyades is so large that it spans the binocular’s entire field of view.
PAUL
And that will weaken the glittery appearance of the star cluster.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of February.
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 February 19th and 20th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 19th and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The seventh planet is too dim to see without visual aid in all but the clearest and darkest skies.
PAUL
But it’s bright enough that it can be seen through binoculars, even in town.
RACHEL
Of course, you’ll need to block the street lights of your neighborhood if you want to see it.
PAUL
Look for Uranus on the 19th when it’s just seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
Since most binoculars, like 7X50s, have a field of view of 7.5 degrees, you can see both the moon and Uranus simultaneously.
PAUL
This is an evening event, so wait until the end of dusk.
RACHEL
Then aim your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Next place the moon at the bottom of your binoculars in the seven o’clock position.
RACHEL
Then find the star in the middle of your binoculars.
PAUL
If you follow a line between the moon and that star, it will take you to Uranus at the other end of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Uranus is considered an ice giant by astronomers.
PAUL
That means it’s more massive than Earth and made of compounds that are frozen solid at its distance from the sun.
RACHEL
Therefore, Uranus has only one quarter the amount of hydrogen and helium as Jupiter, but lots of methane, ammonia, and water.
PAUL
Most likely, there’s solid core residing inside of Uranus.
RACHEL
And astronomers predict its diameter is only 6,000 miles.
PAUL
Or ¾ of the dimeter of Earth.
RACHEL
But it’s primarily icy and not as rocky like Earth.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th and 20th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 19th and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The seventh planet is too dim to see without visual aid in all but the clearest and darkest skies.
PAUL
But it’s bright enough that it can be seen through binoculars, even in town.
RACHEL
Of course, you’ll need to block the street lights of your neighborhood if you want to see it.
PAUL
Look for Uranus on the 19th when it’s just seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
Since most binoculars, like 7X50s, have a field of view of 7.5 degrees, you can see both the moon and Uranus simultaneously.
PAUL
This is an evening event, so wait until the end of dusk.
RACHEL
Then aim your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Next place the moon at the bottom of your binoculars in the seven o’clock position.
RACHEL
Then find the star in the middle of your binoculars.
PAUL
If you follow a line between the moon and that star, it will take you to Uranus at the other end of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Uranus is considered an ice giant by astronomers.
PAUL
That means it’s more massive than Earth and made of compounds that are frozen solid at its distance from the sun.
RACHEL
Therefore, Uranus has only one quarter the amount of hydrogen and helium as Jupiter, but lots of methane, ammonia, and water.
PAUL
Most likely, there’s solid core residing inside of Uranus.
RACHEL
And astronomers predict its diameter is only 6,000 miles.
PAUL
Or ¾ of the dimeter of Earth.
RACHEL
But it’s primarily icy and not as rocky like Earth.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th and 20th 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, February 12, 2018
Idaho Skies for Transcript February 16th, 17th, and 18th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon was new on the 15th.
RACHEL
Meaning that it was too close to the sun for Idaho stargazers to see that day.
PAUL
However, stargazers have a chance to see the moon on the 16th.
RACHEL
That’s when the exceptionally thin moon will appear next to the bright Evening Star.
PAUL
So shortly after sunset on the 16th, look for Venus in the low west southwest.
RACHEL
Venus won’t be difficult to find if you look at around 6:30 PM.
PAUL
Ahh, but the moon on the other hand...
RACHEL
...that will be a tough nut to crack, so you’ll probably want binoculars.
PAUL
Look just a little above and left of Venus.
RACHEL
There you should see an incredibly thin crescent moon.
PAUL
The moon will only be 24 hours old on the 16th.
RACHEL
Which is far younger than two or three days old when most people first glimpse it.
PAUL
After you spot the moon in your binoculars, try looking for it without them.
RACHEL
It will help if you have a clear and low western horizon.
PAUL
So you might want to drive up into the foothills around Boise.
RACHEL
Now if you can’t find the moon on the 16th, try again on the 17th.
PAUL
That day the moon will be thicker, brighter, and even higher above Venus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of February.
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 February 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon was new on the 15th.
RACHEL
Meaning that it was too close to the sun for Idaho stargazers to see that day.
PAUL
However, stargazers have a chance to see the moon on the 16th.
RACHEL
That’s when the exceptionally thin moon will appear next to the bright Evening Star.
PAUL
So shortly after sunset on the 16th, look for Venus in the low west southwest.
RACHEL
Venus won’t be difficult to find if you look at around 6:30 PM.
PAUL
Ahh, but the moon on the other hand...
RACHEL
...that will be a tough nut to crack, so you’ll probably want binoculars.
PAUL
Look just a little above and left of Venus.
RACHEL
There you should see an incredibly thin crescent moon.
PAUL
The moon will only be 24 hours old on the 16th.
RACHEL
Which is far younger than two or three days old when most people first glimpse it.
PAUL
After you spot the moon in your binoculars, try looking for it without them.
RACHEL
It will help if you have a clear and low western horizon.
PAUL
So you might want to drive up into the foothills around Boise.
RACHEL
Now if you can’t find the moon on the 16th, try again on the 17th.
PAUL
That day the moon will be thicker, brighter, and even higher above Venus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of February.
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 February 14th and 15th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On February 15th, 1564, Vincenzo Galilei and his wife Giulia welcomed their first child to the world.
PAUL
Vincenzo and Giulia were citizens of Renaissance Pisa.
RACHEL
And their son Galileo Galilei was to become one of the most important people in the history of science.
PAUL
Prior to Galileo’s work, ancient philosophers, primarily the Greeks, were held as the standard bearer of knowledge.
RACHEL
Which is why educated European’s of the time viewed what the classical Greeks wrote as the truth handed down by authority.
PAUL
Galileo challenged that notion because he believed that empirical evidence always trumps authority.
RACHEL
So when Aristotle said that heavy objects fell faster than light objects, Galileo tested it.
PAUL
He found that there was virtually no difference in fall rate based on weight.
RACHEL
And that the minor difference he measured was most likely accounted for by air resistance.
PAUL
Now Galileo was not the discoverer of the telescope, but he was knowledgeable enough to make one after he heard about its discovery.
RACHEL
He was however, one of the first people to turn his telescope towards the heavens.
PAUL
And he was the first to publish his observations in common Italian so that every person could learn about his discoveries.
RACHEL
Prior to this, scholars published in Latin, which prevented most people from reading about new ideas and discoveries.
PAUL
Making empirical evidence the authority for knowledge was a threat to the old way of thinking.
RACHEL
So it’s not surprising Galileo experienced some opposition.
PAUL
However, his methods have persisted and created the modern, scientific world of today.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of February.
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 February 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On February 15th, 1564, Vincenzo Galilei and his wife Giulia welcomed their first child to the world.
PAUL
Vincenzo and Giulia were citizens of Renaissance Pisa.
RACHEL
And their son Galileo Galilei was to become one of the most important people in the history of science.
PAUL
Prior to Galileo’s work, ancient philosophers, primarily the Greeks, were held as the standard bearer of knowledge.
RACHEL
Which is why educated European’s of the time viewed what the classical Greeks wrote as the truth handed down by authority.
PAUL
Galileo challenged that notion because he believed that empirical evidence always trumps authority.
RACHEL
So when Aristotle said that heavy objects fell faster than light objects, Galileo tested it.
PAUL
He found that there was virtually no difference in fall rate based on weight.
RACHEL
And that the minor difference he measured was most likely accounted for by air resistance.
PAUL
Now Galileo was not the discoverer of the telescope, but he was knowledgeable enough to make one after he heard about its discovery.
RACHEL
He was however, one of the first people to turn his telescope towards the heavens.
PAUL
And he was the first to publish his observations in common Italian so that every person could learn about his discoveries.
RACHEL
Prior to this, scholars published in Latin, which prevented most people from reading about new ideas and discoveries.
PAUL
Making empirical evidence the authority for knowledge was a threat to the old way of thinking.
RACHEL
So it’s not surprising Galileo experienced some opposition.
PAUL
However, his methods have persisted and created the modern, scientific world of today.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of February.
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 February 12th and 13th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The 14th marks the 28th anniversary of the first solar system portrait.
RACHEL
It was a recommendation by Astronomer Carl Sagan that a Voyager spacecraft take a photograph of the solar system.
PAUL
This would be unique perspective since the Voyagers were on the outskirts of the solar system.
RACHEL
And it would be the same view that a visiting starship would have of our solar system.
PAUL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory finally agreed and selected Voyager 1 to take the picture.
RACHEL
It was actually 60 images, since from four billion miles away the solar system still spans more than a single picture.
PAUL
We find that the sun is still incredibly bright four billion miles away.
RACHEL
Sadly though, not all planets made it into this portrait.
PAUL
Because Mercury was too close to the sun’s glare...
RACHEL
...and Mars was too small and faint.
PAUL
By the way, Pluto doesn’t show up either, but it’s not a planet any how.
RACHEL
Earth appears as a pale blue dot, as Carl Sagan later described it in his 1994 book.
PAUL
And this pale blue dot just happened to lie on a beam of sunlight that result of solar glare.
RACHEL
Sagan reminds us that all the people of Earth and all their history resides on that single pale blue dot.
PAUL
So it’s a picture of all the people of Earth and their history in a single pale blue dot set in the vast blackness of the universe.
RACHEL
This is a powerful reminder that all the differences that keep us apart are very indeed tiny.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th 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 February 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The 14th marks the 28th anniversary of the first solar system portrait.
RACHEL
It was a recommendation by Astronomer Carl Sagan that a Voyager spacecraft take a photograph of the solar system.
PAUL
This would be unique perspective since the Voyagers were on the outskirts of the solar system.
RACHEL
And it would be the same view that a visiting starship would have of our solar system.
PAUL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory finally agreed and selected Voyager 1 to take the picture.
RACHEL
It was actually 60 images, since from four billion miles away the solar system still spans more than a single picture.
PAUL
We find that the sun is still incredibly bright four billion miles away.
RACHEL
Sadly though, not all planets made it into this portrait.
PAUL
Because Mercury was too close to the sun’s glare...
RACHEL
...and Mars was too small and faint.
PAUL
By the way, Pluto doesn’t show up either, but it’s not a planet any how.
RACHEL
Earth appears as a pale blue dot, as Carl Sagan later described it in his 1994 book.
PAUL
And this pale blue dot just happened to lie on a beam of sunlight that result of solar glare.
RACHEL
Sagan reminds us that all the people of Earth and all their history resides on that single pale blue dot.
PAUL
So it’s a picture of all the people of Earth and their history in a single pale blue dot set in the vast blackness of the universe.
RACHEL
This is a powerful reminder that all the differences that keep us apart are very indeed tiny.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th 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.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for February 9th, 10th, and 11th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mars is the orangish star to the moon’s right on the morning of the 9th at 5 AM.
PAUL
But don’t mistake Mars for the slightly brighter Antares, which is the star below Mars.
RACHEL
Antares is a red giant star that’s 550 light years away.
PAUL
The name Antares is Greek for Rival of Ares, or the Greek god of war.
RACHEL
Which is the Roman version we call Mars.
PAUL
The distinctive tint of Antares is similar to that of Mars.
RACHEL
This explains how Antares got its name; it looks a lot like Mars.
PAUL
And Mars just happens to be the planet passing close to Antares this winter.
RACHEL
Did you know that Antares is only 11 million years old?
PAUL
Wait, it’s a red giant. So Antares is nearing the end of its life in only 11 million years?
RACHEL
Yep. That’s because Antares has a mass 12 times greater than the sun’s.
PAUL
Its greater mass puts the squeeze on its hydrogen core.
RACHEL
The heavier mass creates enough heat and pressure to fuse the hydrogen in its core more rapidly than the sun.
PAUL
So Antares is really living in the fast lane.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 11th, you’ll see a pale yellow star below the moon.
PAUL
That star is Saturn and you should notice that it doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
RACHEL
To see the planet’s rings, you’ll need a telescope.
PAUL
If you have one, then go outside at around 6:00 AM to enjoy the ringed wonder of the solar system.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th of February.
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 February 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mars is the orangish star to the moon’s right on the morning of the 9th at 5 AM.
PAUL
But don’t mistake Mars for the slightly brighter Antares, which is the star below Mars.
RACHEL
Antares is a red giant star that’s 550 light years away.
PAUL
The name Antares is Greek for Rival of Ares, or the Greek god of war.
RACHEL
Which is the Roman version we call Mars.
PAUL
The distinctive tint of Antares is similar to that of Mars.
RACHEL
This explains how Antares got its name; it looks a lot like Mars.
PAUL
And Mars just happens to be the planet passing close to Antares this winter.
RACHEL
Did you know that Antares is only 11 million years old?
PAUL
Wait, it’s a red giant. So Antares is nearing the end of its life in only 11 million years?
RACHEL
Yep. That’s because Antares has a mass 12 times greater than the sun’s.
PAUL
Its greater mass puts the squeeze on its hydrogen core.
RACHEL
The heavier mass creates enough heat and pressure to fuse the hydrogen in its core more rapidly than the sun.
PAUL
So Antares is really living in the fast lane.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 11th, you’ll see a pale yellow star below the moon.
PAUL
That star is Saturn and you should notice that it doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
RACHEL
To see the planet’s rings, you’ll need a telescope.
PAUL
If you have one, then go outside at around 6:00 AM to enjoy the ringed wonder of the solar system.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th of February.
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 February 7th and 8th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears at the last quarter phase on the 7th.
RACHEL
So the 7th is the perfect time to view the moon through binoculars.
PAUL
But stargazers will need to go outside after midnight to see it.
RACHEL
You’ll be rewarded with lots of craters in the southern half of the moon if you spend a few minutes observing.
PAUL
After looking at the lunar craters, turn your binoculars towards Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star and it’s the star to the moon’s lower right
PAUL
After splitting the two stars of Zubenelgenubi, then aim your binoculars at the brightest star below the moon.
RACHEL
Stargazers will notice this star, which is slightly yellowish, doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
PAUL
That’s because the star is actually a planet.
RACHEL
Jupiter to be specific.
PAUL
When you look at Jupiter though binoculars, they’ll show you that the planet has company.
RACHEL
Its four large Galilean satellites.
PAUL
Finally, don’t forget Mars.
RACHEL
Which is much fainter than Jupiter and distinctly yellow-orange in color.
PAUL
Mars is located to the lower left of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll notice that Mars has a neighboring star that looks a lot like it.
PAUL
That star is Antares and we’ll have more to say about it next time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of February.
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 February 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears at the last quarter phase on the 7th.
RACHEL
So the 7th is the perfect time to view the moon through binoculars.
PAUL
But stargazers will need to go outside after midnight to see it.
RACHEL
You’ll be rewarded with lots of craters in the southern half of the moon if you spend a few minutes observing.
PAUL
After looking at the lunar craters, turn your binoculars towards Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star and it’s the star to the moon’s lower right
PAUL
After splitting the two stars of Zubenelgenubi, then aim your binoculars at the brightest star below the moon.
RACHEL
Stargazers will notice this star, which is slightly yellowish, doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
PAUL
That’s because the star is actually a planet.
RACHEL
Jupiter to be specific.
PAUL
When you look at Jupiter though binoculars, they’ll show you that the planet has company.
RACHEL
Its four large Galilean satellites.
PAUL
Finally, don’t forget Mars.
RACHEL
Which is much fainter than Jupiter and distinctly yellow-orange in color.
PAUL
Mars is located to the lower left of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll notice that Mars has a neighboring star that looks a lot like it.
PAUL
That star is Antares and we’ll have more to say about it next time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of February.
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 February 5th and 6th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
After midnight on the 5th, stargazers will see a bright white star below and right of the moon.
PAUL
This star is Spica and it’s the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.
RACHEL
Spica, by the way is the 16th brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
But you’ll find an even brighter star nearby.
RACHEL
Yep, it’s Arcturus and it’s farther away from the moon than Spica.
PAUL
You’ll find Arcturus to the upper right of the moon rather than the lower right like Spica.
RACHEL
Orange Arcturus is the brightest star of Bootes the Herdsman.
PAUL
And it’s the 4th brightest star in the sky.
RACHEL
One reason why it appears so bright is that it’s only 37 light years away.
PAUL
The other reason Arcturus is so bright is because it’s 10% heavier than the sun.
RACHEL
That extra heft means its fusing hydrogen into helium faster than the sun.
PAUL
Which also means it’s also living its life more quickly than the sun.
RACHEL
So even though Arcturus is only seven billion years old, it’s already used most of its allotted hydrogen fuel.
PAUL
For comparison, it will take the sun about ten billion years to do the same.
RACHEL
Astronomers aren’t sure, but Arcturus actually might be fusing the helium in its core.
PAUL
If so, then its core is surrounded by a shell of fusing hydrogen, which is adding even more helium to its core.
RACHEL
And that’s increasing the star’s diameter and brightness even more.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of February.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
After midnight on the 5th, stargazers will see a bright white star below and right of the moon.
PAUL
This star is Spica and it’s the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.
RACHEL
Spica, by the way is the 16th brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
But you’ll find an even brighter star nearby.
RACHEL
Yep, it’s Arcturus and it’s farther away from the moon than Spica.
PAUL
You’ll find Arcturus to the upper right of the moon rather than the lower right like Spica.
RACHEL
Orange Arcturus is the brightest star of Bootes the Herdsman.
PAUL
And it’s the 4th brightest star in the sky.
RACHEL
One reason why it appears so bright is that it’s only 37 light years away.
PAUL
The other reason Arcturus is so bright is because it’s 10% heavier than the sun.
RACHEL
That extra heft means its fusing hydrogen into helium faster than the sun.
PAUL
Which also means it’s also living its life more quickly than the sun.
RACHEL
So even though Arcturus is only seven billion years old, it’s already used most of its allotted hydrogen fuel.
PAUL
For comparison, it will take the sun about ten billion years to do the same.
RACHEL
Astronomers aren’t sure, but Arcturus actually might be fusing the helium in its core.
PAUL
If so, then its core is surrounded by a shell of fusing hydrogen, which is adding even more helium to its core.
RACHEL
And that’s increasing the star’s diameter and brightness even more.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of February.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
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