Transcript for March 16-22

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the third week of March. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The moon glides between Mars and the star Spica on the morning of the 19th.

RACHEL
The trio will almost close enough together to be seen at the same time through a pair or binoculars.

PAUL
How can you tell the difference between the Mars and Spica?

RACHEL
Mars is the much brighter orange-colored star to the upper right of the moon.

PAUL
And Spica, which is the brightest star of Virgo, is pure white and located a little farther away to the moon’s left

RACHEL
Spring begins at 11:57 AM on the 20th.

PAUL
This moment in time is called the Vernal Equinox and it’s the moment when the sun stands directly overhead Earth’s equator.

RACHEL
For the last six months, Earth’s southern hemisphere has faced directly towards the sun.

PAUL
That means it’s been spring and summer for our friends in Australia.

RACHEL
Now it’s the northern hemisphere’s chance to enjoy some light and heat from the sun.

PAUL
Want to find Saturn?

RACHEL
Let the moon help you out.

PAUL
Saturn and the moon appear close together on the morning of the 21st.

RACHEL
They actually crossed paths at 8:18 PM on the 20th when the moon occulted Saturn

PAUL
Unfortunately for Idaho, this occurred while they were above the Atlantic Ocean and below our horizon.

RACHEL
Venus reaches its greatest distance from the sun on the morning of the 22nd.

PAUL
However, morning appearances of Venus occurring during March take place at a time when the planet’s orbit is very shallow with respect to the northern hemisphere’s horizon.

RACHEL
So although Venus will appear 46 degrees away from the sun, it’s only seven degrees above the horizon at 5:30 AM.

PAUL
The moon reaches the third quarter phase on the 23rd.

RACHEL
Third quarter is a half full moon, but this time it’s the eastern half that’s in sunlight.

PAUL
Like the first quarter moon, this is an excellent phase for observing the moon

RACHEL
However, you’ll need to go outside after midnight to see the moon.

PAUL
Be sure to focus your attention on the terminator, or boundary between day and night.

RACHEL
Look closely and you may notice there are small points of light on the dark portion of the moon.

PAUL
These will be easier to see through a telescope.

RACHEL
If you do see them, you’ll be seeing high mountain tops or crater peaks where sunrise has occurred hours before it occurs at the surface below.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of March. Next week you have an opportunity to photograph an attractive pairing of the moon and Venus. 

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

For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.