Idaho Skies Transcript for December 10th and 11th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 10th and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
There are three crescents in the sky this week.

PAUL
The first you can se without optical aid. It’s the young crescent moon or more specifically, the waxing crescent moon. Stargazers will find the moon in the low southwest after sunset. Since the moon is only four days old and traveling slowly away from the sun from our perspective, it remains a very thin crescent. This increases your chances of seeing earthshine for the next few nights. .   

RACHEL
Next is Venus. Stargazers will see the Morning Star in the southeast as they drive to work in the morning. Venus is so bright that you can’t mistake it for anything other than Venus. Right now Venus is too far form Earth to show a crescent shape in binoculars. But a small telescope or even spotting scope has the necessary magnification to do so.

PAUL
Much closer to the horizon is innermost planet Mercury. It too is located between Earth and the sun. This means its phase is crescent shaped. Mercury is swiftly traveling to the other side of the sun from our perspective. This is why the planet will climb slightly higher and grow fainter over the next few weeks. 

RACHEL
In a telescope, you would see Mercury become fuller and smaller as it travels to the other side of the solar system. Jupiter, which is also on the other side of the solar system, is much farther away than Mercury. So form Jupiter’s perspective, Mercury is approaching closer to the sun and becoming more crescent shaped. 

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th and 11th of December.

RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com

For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.