Idaho Skies Transcript for June 13th and 14th

RACHEL

Welcome to Idaho Skies for June 13^th and 14^th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

 

PAUL

…and Paul.

 

RACHEL

Hey, where’s the moon?

 

PAUL

Well, the moon is new on the morning of the 13^th.

 

RACHEL

Oh, so it’s far too close to the sun for stargazers to see for the next several days?

 

PAUL

That’s right. In fact, this month the sun will pass a little below the sun.

 

RACHEL

Meaning both the sun and moon will be located in the constellation Taurus the Bull.

 

PAUL

Until about a month ago, we could see Taurus in the low west at sunset.

 

RACHEL

And now, Earth’s motion around the sun makes the sun appear in the Taurus.

 

PAUL

But remember, this is just an appearance.

 

RACHEL

Because the stars are dozens or even hundreds of light years away.

 

PAUL

And the sun is just eight light minutes away.

 

RACHEL

The sun can only appear projected in 13 of the 88 recognized constellations.

 

PAUL

Twelve of those thirteen constellations equate to the signs of the Zodiac.

 

RACHEL

And the thirteenth constellation is named Ophiuchus the Snake Bearer.

 

PAUL

It’s the large house-shaped constellation sitting above Scorpius the Scorpion.

 

RACHEL

Astrologers didn’t draw the boundary for Ophiuchus to include the sun’s path.

 

PAUL

So it’s not considered a Zodiacal sign.

 

RACHEL

But astronomers standardized the borders of the constellations in 1930.

 

PAUL

And the boundaries they drew for Ophiuchus does include the sun’s path.

 

RACHEL

Meaning a 20^th century version of the Zodiac would include a sign called Ophiuchus.

 

PAUL

That’s Idaho Skies for the 13^th and 14^th of June.

 

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.