Transcript for March 3 - 9

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of March. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
… and Paul.

RACHEL
If you’re up late on the 1st and early morning of the 2nd, then look for Saturn. It will be located above the moon.

PAUL
The actual distance between the moon and Saturn is over 860 million miles.

RACHEL
From our perspective on Earth however, the two nearly line up with each other. They will be less than five degrees apart.

PAUL
That means you can see both at the same time in your binoculars.

RACHEL
The moon is last quarter on the 4th. For Idahoans, it doesn’t rise until 2 AM.

PAUL
Last quarter is a good time to observe the moon through your binoculars or small telescope.

RACHEL
Unlike the first quarter moon, lunar seas or maria cover most of the moon’s surface during last quarter.

PAUL
The largest is the Ocean of Storms and it occupies nearly the entire northwest quadrant of the moon.

RACHEL
From north to south, this large lunar sea spans 1600 miles. That’s about half the width of the United States.

PAUL
Here’s an opportunity to learn about the astronomy you can enjoy from home or while camping.

RACHEL
The Street Astronomer presents Easy Star Gazing on Wednesday the 6th.

PAUL
The presentation takes place at the REI in Boise and begins at 7 PM.

RACHEL
Idaho’s high power rocketry club also meets in Boise on the 6th.

PAUL
The club meets at the Idaho Pizza on Fairview near Cole at 6:30 PM.

RACHEL
Warmer weather means now is the time to prepare for rocket launches again. Idaho Tripoli is just the organization to help you.

PAUL
On Thursday night, there’s a planetarium show about the planets Mars and Mercury in Caldwell.

RACHEL
The Whittenberger planetarium at the College of Idaho begins its program at 7 PM on the 7th.

PAUL
If you want to attend, you’ll need to make a reservation. Contact Kinga at 459-5211.

RACHEL
The BYU Idaho planetarium is also presenting a show on Thursday the 7th.

PAUL
The planetarium shows in March are about black holes.

RACHEL
Black holes are the remains of stars so massive, that they cannot support themselves from the unrelenting crush of their gravity.

PAUL
After stars collapse into a black hole, the only thing remaining is their mass, electrical charge, and spin.

RACHEL
The BYU Idaho planetarium is located in room 107 of the Romney Science Building

PAUL
The door opens at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00 PM.

RACHEL
There are two astronomy club meetings this week. The first is the Boise Astronomical Society.

PAUL
The club meets at the Discovery Center of Idaho on the 8th. The meeting begins at 7 PM. Look for their sign at the southwest corner of the building.

RACHEL
The second is the Magic Valley Astronomical Society, which meets on Saturday the 9th.

PAUL
Their meeting takes place at the Herrett Center at CSI and begins at 7 PM.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of March. Next week we’ll tell you when and where to search for a very thin crescent moon. It’s also the Ides of March, according to the old Roman calendar.

PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.

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.