RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 4th, 5th, and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey stargazers, get your binoculars out on the morning of the 4th.
PAUL
That’s when you’ll find the waning gibbous moon surrounded by nebulae and star clusters.
RACHEL
These star clusters and nebulae lie between Earth and the star-dense heart of the Milky Way galaxy.
PAUL
Which is why this region of the sky is also so rich in star clusters and nebulae.
RACHEL
If you’re lucky enough to live under dark skies, you’ll see the Milky Way stretch from the low northeast to the south.
PAUL
Ancient people where uncertain about what the Milky Way actually was.
RACHEL
It was Galileo and his new telescope who discovered that the Milky Way was countless millions of faint stars.
PAUL
In places, those stars are packed especially close together.
RACHEL
We call those star clusters and they can be from tens to hundreds of light years across.
PAUL
They’re the product of stellar nurseries where stars are born in a massive clouds of dust and gas.
RACHEL
So scan the area left, above, and right of the moon with binoculars looking for small fuzzy patches.
PAUL
Calling all meteor watchers, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower reaches its peak activity late on the 6th and early on the 7th.
RACHEL
This is a meteor shower that favors observers in the southern hemisphere, since it radiates from our low southeast.
PAUL
However, American observers can usually see between 15 and 20 meteors per hour from this shower.
RACHEL
Except this year, the nearby waning gibbous moon will wash out many of the fainter meteors.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th, 5th, and 6th of May.
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, April 30, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 2nd and 3rd
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 2nd and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
On the morning of May 2nd, the moon appears above the heart of a scorpion.
RACHEL
The heart in this case is a bright orange-red star named Antares.
PAUL
Antares is bright and orange-red because it’s a relatively nearby red giant star.
RACHEL
Since it’s a red giant, it’s no longer fusing hydrogen in its core.
PAUL
Instead, it’s fusing helium in its core.
RACHEL
That helium is the ash of the hydrogen it fused long ago.
PAUL
The hydrogen remaining inside Antares is being fused in a shell surrounding its central core.
RACHEL
So there are two distinct places in red giant stars like Antares, where fusing atoms are together.
PAUL
And in time, it will fuse element heavier than helium, each in a different shell.
RACHEL
That reminds me of the layers in an onion.
PAUL
The heat generated by both helium and hydrogen fusion has expanded the stars’ outer layers.
RACHEL
When any gas is pushed away from its heat source, it cools down.
PAUL
And that cooling has created a surface that’s only red hot and not yellow hot like the sun.
RACHEL
The rest of the constellation of Scorpius is strongly reminiscent of a scorpion.
PAUL
Its tail consists of a slanted S of stars that goes from the lower left of Antares.
RACHEL
And its pinchers are the ‘T’ shape of stars to the right of Antares.
PAUL
Scorpius is not the only company the moon keeps tonight.
RACHEL
That’s right. The moon is flanked on the left and right by bright planets.
PAUL
Jupiter is the bright whitish star to the right of the moon.
RACHEL
And Saturn is the fainter mellow white star on the moon’s left.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd and 3rd of May.
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 May 2nd and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
On the morning of May 2nd, the moon appears above the heart of a scorpion.
RACHEL
The heart in this case is a bright orange-red star named Antares.
PAUL
Antares is bright and orange-red because it’s a relatively nearby red giant star.
RACHEL
Since it’s a red giant, it’s no longer fusing hydrogen in its core.
PAUL
Instead, it’s fusing helium in its core.
RACHEL
That helium is the ash of the hydrogen it fused long ago.
PAUL
The hydrogen remaining inside Antares is being fused in a shell surrounding its central core.
RACHEL
So there are two distinct places in red giant stars like Antares, where fusing atoms are together.
PAUL
And in time, it will fuse element heavier than helium, each in a different shell.
RACHEL
That reminds me of the layers in an onion.
PAUL
The heat generated by both helium and hydrogen fusion has expanded the stars’ outer layers.
RACHEL
When any gas is pushed away from its heat source, it cools down.
PAUL
And that cooling has created a surface that’s only red hot and not yellow hot like the sun.
RACHEL
The rest of the constellation of Scorpius is strongly reminiscent of a scorpion.
PAUL
Its tail consists of a slanted S of stars that goes from the lower left of Antares.
RACHEL
And its pinchers are the ‘T’ shape of stars to the right of Antares.
PAUL
Scorpius is not the only company the moon keeps tonight.
RACHEL
That’s right. The moon is flanked on the left and right by bright planets.
PAUL
Jupiter is the bright whitish star to the right of the moon.
RACHEL
And Saturn is the fainter mellow white star on the moon’s left.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd and 3rd of May.
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 April 30th and May 1st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 30th and May 1st. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi form a line with the nearly full moon on the 30th.
PAUL
You’ll see them at the moon’s lower right, with Jupiter the first, or closest star to the moon.
RACHEL
And the double star Zubenelgenubi is the one farther to the lower right.
PAUL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi are very suitable targets for stargazers living in town.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at Jupiter and you’ll see one fainter star to its left and two to its right.
PAUL
Those fainter stars are actually three of Jupiter’s largest satellites.
RACHEL
On Jupiter’s left is Europa, a water world covered in a thick sheet of ice.
PAUL
And on Jupiter’s right are Ganymede and Callisto.
RACHEL
Fiery Io is even closer to Jupiter than Ganymede, but probably too close to Jupiter’s glare to be visible in your binoculars.
PAUL
Your binoculars will show that there are the two stars of Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
So it’s really a double star.
PAUL
These astronomical targets are more easily seen if you steady your binoculars by propping them on something like a fence.
RACHEL
Now for something a bit easier to see...
PAUL
On the evening of the 1st, stargazers will find Venus forming a triangle with two star clusters.
RACHEL
The clusters are the Pleiades and the Hyades and you’ll need to look in the very low west-northwest just after 10 PM.
PAUL
The Pleiades will be to the lower right of Venus and the Hyades to the lower left.
RACHEL
Closer to Venus is the star Aldebaran…
PAUL
…which marks the top corner of the Hyades.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 30th of April and 1st of May.
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 April 30th and May 1st. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi form a line with the nearly full moon on the 30th.
PAUL
You’ll see them at the moon’s lower right, with Jupiter the first, or closest star to the moon.
RACHEL
And the double star Zubenelgenubi is the one farther to the lower right.
PAUL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi are very suitable targets for stargazers living in town.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at Jupiter and you’ll see one fainter star to its left and two to its right.
PAUL
Those fainter stars are actually three of Jupiter’s largest satellites.
RACHEL
On Jupiter’s left is Europa, a water world covered in a thick sheet of ice.
PAUL
And on Jupiter’s right are Ganymede and Callisto.
RACHEL
Fiery Io is even closer to Jupiter than Ganymede, but probably too close to Jupiter’s glare to be visible in your binoculars.
PAUL
Your binoculars will show that there are the two stars of Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
So it’s really a double star.
PAUL
These astronomical targets are more easily seen if you steady your binoculars by propping them on something like a fence.
RACHEL
Now for something a bit easier to see...
PAUL
On the evening of the 1st, stargazers will find Venus forming a triangle with two star clusters.
RACHEL
The clusters are the Pleiades and the Hyades and you’ll need to look in the very low west-northwest just after 10 PM.
PAUL
The Pleiades will be to the lower right of Venus and the Hyades to the lower left.
RACHEL
Closer to Venus is the star Aldebaran…
PAUL
…which marks the top corner of the Hyades.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 30th of April and 1st of May.
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.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for April 27th, 28th, and 29th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 27th, 28th, and 29th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
This weekend stargazers will find Venus resting between two star clusters.
PAUL
To see them, stargazers need to look in the low west-northwest as it’s getting dark.
RACHEL
They’re looking for a star impossible to miss, the brilliant Evening Star or Venus.
PAUL
Using your binoculars will be a good idea, since the star clusters are close to the horizon.
RACHEL
So use your binoculars to scan both the left and right sides of Venus.
PAUL
The Pleiades will be on Venus’ right and the Hyades on its left.
RACHEL
And Venus will be dead center between them on the evening of the 28th.
PAUL
Hey, the moon is full this weekend.
RACHEL
The full moon in April is called the Grass Moon by some cultures.
PAUL
And this year, the Grass Moon passes just above Jupiter on the 29th.
RACHEL
These are fine objects for your binoculars, so have them handy.
PAUL
The moon will be blindingly bright through binoculars, so be warned.
RACHEL
You’ll really want to aim them at Jupiter, or the yellowish star beneath the moon.
PAUL
To Jupiter’s upper right will appear a star that’s actually its second largest satellite, Callisto.
RACHEL
The other three Galilean Satellites are too close to Jupiter’s glare for binoculars to show them tonight.
PAUL
Before going inside for the night, we have one more target.
RACHEL
Aim your binoculars at the star that’s just below the Moon and closer than Jupiter.
PAUL
This is Zubenelgenubi, a double star.
RACHEL
And good binoculars are capable of showing you both components.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th, 28th, and 29th of April.
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 April 27th, 28th, and 29th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
This weekend stargazers will find Venus resting between two star clusters.
PAUL
To see them, stargazers need to look in the low west-northwest as it’s getting dark.
RACHEL
They’re looking for a star impossible to miss, the brilliant Evening Star or Venus.
PAUL
Using your binoculars will be a good idea, since the star clusters are close to the horizon.
RACHEL
So use your binoculars to scan both the left and right sides of Venus.
PAUL
The Pleiades will be on Venus’ right and the Hyades on its left.
RACHEL
And Venus will be dead center between them on the evening of the 28th.
PAUL
Hey, the moon is full this weekend.
RACHEL
The full moon in April is called the Grass Moon by some cultures.
PAUL
And this year, the Grass Moon passes just above Jupiter on the 29th.
RACHEL
These are fine objects for your binoculars, so have them handy.
PAUL
The moon will be blindingly bright through binoculars, so be warned.
RACHEL
You’ll really want to aim them at Jupiter, or the yellowish star beneath the moon.
PAUL
To Jupiter’s upper right will appear a star that’s actually its second largest satellite, Callisto.
RACHEL
The other three Galilean Satellites are too close to Jupiter’s glare for binoculars to show them tonight.
PAUL
Before going inside for the night, we have one more target.
RACHEL
Aim your binoculars at the star that’s just below the Moon and closer than Jupiter.
PAUL
This is Zubenelgenubi, a double star.
RACHEL
And good binoculars are capable of showing you both components.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th, 28th, and 29th of April.
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 April 25th and 26th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon passed close to Regulus back on the night of the 24th.
RACHEL
That means its passing below the constellation of Leo the Lion for the next two days.
PAUL
So on the 25th, you’ll see the hindquarters of Leo above the moon.
RACHEL
Leo’s head and mane is the backwards question mark of stars located on the moon’s upper right.
PAUL
His hindquarters are represented by that triangle of stars at the moon’s upper left.
RACHEL
The star at the east end of the triangle is called Denebola, which means tail.
PAUL
Did you know Leo use to have a tufted tail and not just a single star?
RACHEL
His old tail is now a separate constellation called Coma Berenices.
PAUL
Stargazers can find Leo’s old tail if they search northeast of Denebola with their binoculars.
RACHEL
You’ll know you have it when you see a triangle shaped group of stars that fills your binoculars’ view.
PAUL
The tail is actually a star cluster called Melotte-111, after the astronomer who cataloged it.
RACHEL
And it’s informally named the Coma Star Cluster.
PAUL
Your binoculars will show you several dozen stars in this cluster.
RACHEL
But since they’re spread out across your binoculars, the star cluster won’t have the sparkle of the Pleiades.
PAUL
The Coma Star Cluster is 280 light years away, so the light you see tonight left in 1738.
RACHEL
Astronomers estimate the stars in this cluster were born 450 million years old.
PAUL
Fish dominated Earth’s oceans and there was no significant life forms on land when the stars of the Coma Star Cluster formed.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of April.
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 April 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon passed close to Regulus back on the night of the 24th.
RACHEL
That means its passing below the constellation of Leo the Lion for the next two days.
PAUL
So on the 25th, you’ll see the hindquarters of Leo above the moon.
RACHEL
Leo’s head and mane is the backwards question mark of stars located on the moon’s upper right.
PAUL
His hindquarters are represented by that triangle of stars at the moon’s upper left.
RACHEL
The star at the east end of the triangle is called Denebola, which means tail.
PAUL
Did you know Leo use to have a tufted tail and not just a single star?
RACHEL
His old tail is now a separate constellation called Coma Berenices.
PAUL
Stargazers can find Leo’s old tail if they search northeast of Denebola with their binoculars.
RACHEL
You’ll know you have it when you see a triangle shaped group of stars that fills your binoculars’ view.
PAUL
The tail is actually a star cluster called Melotte-111, after the astronomer who cataloged it.
RACHEL
And it’s informally named the Coma Star Cluster.
PAUL
Your binoculars will show you several dozen stars in this cluster.
RACHEL
But since they’re spread out across your binoculars, the star cluster won’t have the sparkle of the Pleiades.
PAUL
The Coma Star Cluster is 280 light years away, so the light you see tonight left in 1738.
RACHEL
Astronomers estimate the stars in this cluster were born 450 million years old.
PAUL
Fish dominated Earth’s oceans and there was no significant life forms on land when the stars of the Coma Star Cluster formed.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of April.
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 April 23rd and 24th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 23rd and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Today we have the story of a planet and a star cluster.
PAUL
Venus is that bright star that stargazers see in the low west-northwest this evening.
RACHEL
The Evening Star is so bright that stargazers can’t miss it.
PAUL
Venus is the second planet of the solar system and similar to Earth in size and composition.
RACHEL
However, it’s far from Earth-like.
PAUL
With a perpetual reflective cloud cover, one would think Venus couldn’t get hot from sunlight.
RACHEL
But its carbon dioxide atmosphere traps all the heat generated from the tiny amount of sunlight reaching its surface.
PAUL
Over time, this created a planet with crushing air pressure and an air temperature hot enough to melt lead.
RACHEL
Next to Venus, you’ll find the Pleaides star cluster.
PAUL
This is a cloud of 1,000 stars, some dust, and gas 444 light years away.
RACHEL
Binoculars can show over two dozen member stars inside the Pleiades.
PAUL
And over the next few nights, brilliant Venus will appear as distant member of this cluster.
RACHEL
Since their distance apart is smaller than the width of a binocular field of view, you’ll see both at the same time.
PAUL
So spend a few minutes looking at this pairing of brilliant point of light and a gossamer star cloud.
RACHEL
You’ll see the relative positions between Venus and the Pleiades change every night.
PAUL
That’s because Venus is slowly getting higher every day and the Pleiades are approaching the horizon.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd and 24th of April.
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 April 23rd and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Today we have the story of a planet and a star cluster.
PAUL
Venus is that bright star that stargazers see in the low west-northwest this evening.
RACHEL
The Evening Star is so bright that stargazers can’t miss it.
PAUL
Venus is the second planet of the solar system and similar to Earth in size and composition.
RACHEL
However, it’s far from Earth-like.
PAUL
With a perpetual reflective cloud cover, one would think Venus couldn’t get hot from sunlight.
RACHEL
But its carbon dioxide atmosphere traps all the heat generated from the tiny amount of sunlight reaching its surface.
PAUL
Over time, this created a planet with crushing air pressure and an air temperature hot enough to melt lead.
RACHEL
Next to Venus, you’ll find the Pleaides star cluster.
PAUL
This is a cloud of 1,000 stars, some dust, and gas 444 light years away.
RACHEL
Binoculars can show over two dozen member stars inside the Pleiades.
PAUL
And over the next few nights, brilliant Venus will appear as distant member of this cluster.
RACHEL
Since their distance apart is smaller than the width of a binocular field of view, you’ll see both at the same time.
PAUL
So spend a few minutes looking at this pairing of brilliant point of light and a gossamer star cloud.
RACHEL
You’ll see the relative positions between Venus and the Pleiades change every night.
PAUL
That’s because Venus is slowly getting higher every day and the Pleiades are approaching the horizon.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd and 24th of April.
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, April 16, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for April 20th, 21st, and 22nd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 20th, 21st, and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
It’s been a pretty dry season when it comes to meteor showers.
PAUL
In fact, our last one was over three months ago.
RACHEL
So happy news, Earth passes through a dense comet dust trail on the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd.
PAUL
That trail was left by Comet Thatcher, which astronomer A.E. Thatcher discovered in 1861.
RACHEL
Comets consist of a snowball of ice and dust, which astronomers call the comet’s nucleus.
PAUL
As the comet’s nucleus approaches the sun, its icy surface warms up and tries to melt.
RACHEL
But since the comet is located in deep space, there’s no air pressure on the nucleus.
PAUL
Which means the ice can’t melt; instead, it sublimates directly into gas rather than melting into a liquid.
RACHEL
The expanding cloud gas surrounding the nucleus is called the comet’s coma.
PAUL
And it’s carrying away rocky material from the comet’s nucleus.
RACHEL
That rocky material spreads out and continues to orbit the sun in the comet’s elongated orbit.
PAUL
And it’s on the 22nd that Earth’s circular orbit intersects the orbit of Comet Thatcher.
RACHEL
The dust from Comet Thatcher slams into the upper atmosphere at a speed of 29 miles per second.
PAUL
Or 146 times faster than the speed of sound.
RACHEL
That rapidly compresses the air ahead of the meteoric dust.
PAUL
And causes the air to get extremely hot and melt the dust.
RACHEL
Which gives rise to the meteor streak we see during a meteor shower.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 20th, 21st, and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
It’s been a pretty dry season when it comes to meteor showers.
PAUL
In fact, our last one was over three months ago.
RACHEL
So happy news, Earth passes through a dense comet dust trail on the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23rd.
PAUL
That trail was left by Comet Thatcher, which astronomer A.E. Thatcher discovered in 1861.
RACHEL
Comets consist of a snowball of ice and dust, which astronomers call the comet’s nucleus.
PAUL
As the comet’s nucleus approaches the sun, its icy surface warms up and tries to melt.
RACHEL
But since the comet is located in deep space, there’s no air pressure on the nucleus.
PAUL
Which means the ice can’t melt; instead, it sublimates directly into gas rather than melting into a liquid.
RACHEL
The expanding cloud gas surrounding the nucleus is called the comet’s coma.
PAUL
And it’s carrying away rocky material from the comet’s nucleus.
RACHEL
That rocky material spreads out and continues to orbit the sun in the comet’s elongated orbit.
PAUL
And it’s on the 22nd that Earth’s circular orbit intersects the orbit of Comet Thatcher.
RACHEL
The dust from Comet Thatcher slams into the upper atmosphere at a speed of 29 miles per second.
PAUL
Or 146 times faster than the speed of sound.
RACHEL
That rapidly compresses the air ahead of the meteoric dust.
PAUL
And causes the air to get extremely hot and melt the dust.
RACHEL
Which gives rise to the meteor streak we see during a meteor shower.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for April 18th and 19th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the moon immersed in a large star cluster on the evening of the 18th.
RACHEL
We know that star cluster by its name, the Hyades.
PAUL
Which means the moon is also passing through Taurus the Bull.
RACHEL
It also means that the moon appears close to the brightest star of Taurus, Aldebaran.
PAUL
So get your binoculars out as this view is bound to please the most discriminating stargazer.
RACHEL
Stargazers will first notice just how thin the moon appears.
PAUL
Then they’ll see many of the stars of the Hyades below and right of the moon.
RACHEL
Aldebaran will be the bright and orangish-yellow star appearing at the moon’s upper left.
PAUL
While the moon and Aldebaran appear close together in binoculars, they’re not really that close at all.
RACHEL
It takes light about 1.25 seconds to travel the distance between the moon and Earth...
PAUL
...but 65 years to travel between Earth and Aldebaran.
RACHEL
Did you know that Aldebaran is more massive than the sun?
PAUL
Which means it’s fusing its supply of hydrogen faster than the sun.
RACHEL
Astronomers believe there’s no more hydrogen fusing in the core of Aldebaran
PAUL
Instead, its core is made up of helium ash, which Aldebaran is not hot enough to fuse yet.
RACHEL
However, the fusing hydrogen is confined to a shell surrounding its hot helium core.
PAUL
And that’s expanded the stars atmosphere to 44 times larger than our sun.
RACHEL
That expansion has also cooled its atmosphere.
PAUL
Which is why it appears a light orange to us and not yellow or blue-white.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of April.
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 April 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the moon immersed in a large star cluster on the evening of the 18th.
RACHEL
We know that star cluster by its name, the Hyades.
PAUL
Which means the moon is also passing through Taurus the Bull.
RACHEL
It also means that the moon appears close to the brightest star of Taurus, Aldebaran.
PAUL
So get your binoculars out as this view is bound to please the most discriminating stargazer.
RACHEL
Stargazers will first notice just how thin the moon appears.
PAUL
Then they’ll see many of the stars of the Hyades below and right of the moon.
RACHEL
Aldebaran will be the bright and orangish-yellow star appearing at the moon’s upper left.
PAUL
While the moon and Aldebaran appear close together in binoculars, they’re not really that close at all.
RACHEL
It takes light about 1.25 seconds to travel the distance between the moon and Earth...
PAUL
...but 65 years to travel between Earth and Aldebaran.
RACHEL
Did you know that Aldebaran is more massive than the sun?
PAUL
Which means it’s fusing its supply of hydrogen faster than the sun.
RACHEL
Astronomers believe there’s no more hydrogen fusing in the core of Aldebaran
PAUL
Instead, its core is made up of helium ash, which Aldebaran is not hot enough to fuse yet.
RACHEL
However, the fusing hydrogen is confined to a shell surrounding its hot helium core.
PAUL
And that’s expanded the stars atmosphere to 44 times larger than our sun.
RACHEL
That expansion has also cooled its atmosphere.
PAUL
Which is why it appears a light orange to us and not yellow or blue-white.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of April.
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 April 16th and 17th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 16th and 17th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Last month on the 18th, the two day old moon passes very close to Venus.
PAUL
So it’s not surprising that about a month later the moon does it again.
RACHEL
On the night of the 17th, the waxing crescent moon will appear to the left of the Evening Star.
PAUL
To see them, look in the low west at around 8:45 PM.
RACHEL
Venus will be easy to see, since it’s the brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
And the moon will appear as a very thin crescent, much thinner than most people ever see.
RACHEL
The pair are so close together that both can be seen at the same time in binoculars.
PAUL
However, the moon’s thin crescent shape means you won’t be able to see any craters.
RACHEL
And of course, you won’t see Venus as anything other than a star in binoculars.
PAUL
But binoculars will help you see earthshine covering the moon’s dark portion.
RACHEL
Since both the moon and Venus are planetary bodies, they don’t emit any light of their own.
PAUL
So instead, stargazers see them by reflected sunlight.
RACHEL
In the case of earthshine, we’re seeing that sunlight after it’s reflected off of Earth.
PAUL
The moon is a very dark body; only 7% of the sunlight shining on it is reflected.
RACHEL
But Earth reflects roughly 30% of the sunlight shining on it on account of its clouds.
PAUL
And some of that 30% reflects towards the moon.
RACHEL
And we can see some of that 30% illuminating the dark portion of the moon during earthshine.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th and 17th of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 16th and 17th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Last month on the 18th, the two day old moon passes very close to Venus.
PAUL
So it’s not surprising that about a month later the moon does it again.
RACHEL
On the night of the 17th, the waxing crescent moon will appear to the left of the Evening Star.
PAUL
To see them, look in the low west at around 8:45 PM.
RACHEL
Venus will be easy to see, since it’s the brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
And the moon will appear as a very thin crescent, much thinner than most people ever see.
RACHEL
The pair are so close together that both can be seen at the same time in binoculars.
PAUL
However, the moon’s thin crescent shape means you won’t be able to see any craters.
RACHEL
And of course, you won’t see Venus as anything other than a star in binoculars.
PAUL
But binoculars will help you see earthshine covering the moon’s dark portion.
RACHEL
Since both the moon and Venus are planetary bodies, they don’t emit any light of their own.
PAUL
So instead, stargazers see them by reflected sunlight.
RACHEL
In the case of earthshine, we’re seeing that sunlight after it’s reflected off of Earth.
PAUL
The moon is a very dark body; only 7% of the sunlight shining on it is reflected.
RACHEL
But Earth reflects roughly 30% of the sunlight shining on it on account of its clouds.
PAUL
And some of that 30% reflects towards the moon.
RACHEL
And we can see some of that 30% illuminating the dark portion of the moon during earthshine.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th and 17th of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, April 9, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for April 13th, 14th, and 15th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 13th, 14th, and 15th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
A month ago, the world lost Physicist Stephen Hawking.
RACHEL
He was one of the greatest physicist and one of this century’s most famous popularizers of science.
PAUL
Among his amazing discoveries was that black holes don’t last forever.
RACHEL
What! Wait! Black holes grow old and die?
PAUL
In a matter of speaking, yes.
RACHEL
How can a gravitational rip in the fabric of space-time just give up the ghost?
PAUL
Because over time, black holes emit radiation, like subatomic particles.
RACHEL
Well, if they’re emitting particles, then must be losing mass.
PAUL
Yep. And the rate at which they emit particles increases as they get smaller.
RACHEL
Which means they’re evaporating faster and faster all the time.
PAUL
That’s right, but only if the matter or energy falling into them is less than they are evaporating.
RACHEL
So very tiny black holes, which may or may not exist, are evaporating today.
PAUL
While stellar mass black holes continue to gain too much matter and energy to evaporate today.
RACHEL
But billions of years from now, the universe will have expanded much larger than it is today.
PAUL
And the distance between atoms in the universe will be too far apart for the gravity of black holes.
RACHEL
And the background temperature of the universe will be very close to absolute zero.
PAUL
Then large black holes will start evaporating away.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April.
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 April 13th, 14th, and 15th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
A month ago, the world lost Physicist Stephen Hawking.
RACHEL
He was one of the greatest physicist and one of this century’s most famous popularizers of science.
PAUL
Among his amazing discoveries was that black holes don’t last forever.
RACHEL
What! Wait! Black holes grow old and die?
PAUL
In a matter of speaking, yes.
RACHEL
How can a gravitational rip in the fabric of space-time just give up the ghost?
PAUL
Because over time, black holes emit radiation, like subatomic particles.
RACHEL
Well, if they’re emitting particles, then must be losing mass.
PAUL
Yep. And the rate at which they emit particles increases as they get smaller.
RACHEL
Which means they’re evaporating faster and faster all the time.
PAUL
That’s right, but only if the matter or energy falling into them is less than they are evaporating.
RACHEL
So very tiny black holes, which may or may not exist, are evaporating today.
PAUL
While stellar mass black holes continue to gain too much matter and energy to evaporate today.
RACHEL
But billions of years from now, the universe will have expanded much larger than it is today.
PAUL
And the distance between atoms in the universe will be too far apart for the gravity of black holes.
RACHEL
And the background temperature of the universe will be very close to absolute zero.
PAUL
Then large black holes will start evaporating away.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th, 14th, and 15th of April.
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 April 11th and 12th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey! Do you remember who Yuri Gagarin was?
PAUL
Sure, he was the first human to travel into space.
RACHEL
That’s right. He spent 108 minutes on his mission and made one orbit of Earth.
PAUL
This was back on April 12th, 1961 and when the US was in a space race with the Soviet Union.
RACHEL
And at this time, the Soviets were making all kinds of firsts, like first satellite and first spaceflight to the moon.
PAUL
Yuri’s flight caught the US by surprise, partly because the Soviets kept their progress so secret.
RACHEL
He rode into space inside the two-piece Vostok 1 space capsule.
PAUL
Specifically, the top of Vostok 1, or its descent module.
RACHEL
Which was a sphere 7.5 feet in diameter.
PAUL
The bottom of the Vostok 1 was its descent module, which looked like two cones back to back.
RACHEL
After one orbit, Vostok 1 fired its retro rockets and the spherical descent module separated from the equipment module.
PAUL
In Yuri’s case, the equipment module didn’t cleanly separate because of cables connecting the two modules together.
RACHEL
This resulted in his capsule swinging and spinning around during reentry.
PAUL
Fortunately for Yuri, it didn’t take long for the forces of reentry to snap the cable.
RACHEL
It would be another year before the US was ready to orbit one of the Mercury astronauts.
PAUL
Meanwhile, two Mercury astronauts rode their Mercury capsules briefly into space on ballistic trajectories.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th of April.
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 April 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey! Do you remember who Yuri Gagarin was?
PAUL
Sure, he was the first human to travel into space.
RACHEL
That’s right. He spent 108 minutes on his mission and made one orbit of Earth.
PAUL
This was back on April 12th, 1961 and when the US was in a space race with the Soviet Union.
RACHEL
And at this time, the Soviets were making all kinds of firsts, like first satellite and first spaceflight to the moon.
PAUL
Yuri’s flight caught the US by surprise, partly because the Soviets kept their progress so secret.
RACHEL
He rode into space inside the two-piece Vostok 1 space capsule.
PAUL
Specifically, the top of Vostok 1, or its descent module.
RACHEL
Which was a sphere 7.5 feet in diameter.
PAUL
The bottom of the Vostok 1 was its descent module, which looked like two cones back to back.
RACHEL
After one orbit, Vostok 1 fired its retro rockets and the spherical descent module separated from the equipment module.
PAUL
In Yuri’s case, the equipment module didn’t cleanly separate because of cables connecting the two modules together.
RACHEL
This resulted in his capsule swinging and spinning around during reentry.
PAUL
Fortunately for Yuri, it didn’t take long for the forces of reentry to snap the cable.
RACHEL
It would be another year before the US was ready to orbit one of the Mercury astronauts.
PAUL
Meanwhile, two Mercury astronauts rode their Mercury capsules briefly into space on ballistic trajectories.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th of April.
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 April 9th and 10th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 9th and 10th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey, the moon is approaching new this week.
RACHEL
Which means the next few mornings are a good time to look for Earthshine.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the moon in the low east-southeast before heading to work.
RACHEL
The crescent moon will be bright, but stargazers will see a faint illumination on the moon’s dark portion.
PAUL
Because of the glare, Earthshine is easier to see through binoculars.
RACHEL
The moon recently left the neighborhood of Saturn and its rings.
PAUL
Saturn’s ring was a wonder to the early astronomers.
RACHEL
They wondered for example whether or not the rings were solid.
PAUL
19th century physicist James Maxwell argued that the rings couldn’t be solid.
RACHEL
That’s because the inner ring orbits Saturn more quickly than the outer ring.
PAUL
And eventually, the rings would wind up so much that they would get torn up.
RACHEL
It wasn’t until April 9th, 1895 that astronomer James Keeler was able prove that Saturn’s rings weren’t solid.
PAUL
He did this by using a spectroscope to measure the rotational speed across Saturn’s rings.
RACHEL
Specifically, he was measuring the Doppler shift of sunlight reflecting off of the rings.
PAUL
And his measurements proved the spin rate across the rings wasn’t constant like they would be if solid.
RACHEL
Today we know the rings of Saturn consist of swarms of icy particles.
PAUL
Most of those particles are the size of smoke, but some can reach a yard across.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th and 10th of April.
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 April 9th and 10th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey, the moon is approaching new this week.
RACHEL
Which means the next few mornings are a good time to look for Earthshine.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the moon in the low east-southeast before heading to work.
RACHEL
The crescent moon will be bright, but stargazers will see a faint illumination on the moon’s dark portion.
PAUL
Because of the glare, Earthshine is easier to see through binoculars.
RACHEL
The moon recently left the neighborhood of Saturn and its rings.
PAUL
Saturn’s ring was a wonder to the early astronomers.
RACHEL
They wondered for example whether or not the rings were solid.
PAUL
19th century physicist James Maxwell argued that the rings couldn’t be solid.
RACHEL
That’s because the inner ring orbits Saturn more quickly than the outer ring.
PAUL
And eventually, the rings would wind up so much that they would get torn up.
RACHEL
It wasn’t until April 9th, 1895 that astronomer James Keeler was able prove that Saturn’s rings weren’t solid.
PAUL
He did this by using a spectroscope to measure the rotational speed across Saturn’s rings.
RACHEL
Specifically, he was measuring the Doppler shift of sunlight reflecting off of the rings.
PAUL
And his measurements proved the spin rate across the rings wasn’t constant like they would be if solid.
RACHEL
Today we know the rings of Saturn consist of swarms of icy particles.
PAUL
Most of those particles are the size of smoke, but some can reach a yard across.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th and 10th of April.
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.
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