Transcript for April 20 - 26

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the last week of April. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on the morning of the 22nd.

PAUL
Unfortunately, this is also the same night that the moon reaches third quarter phase.

RACHEL
Rats. This means the moon’s light will interfere with many of the fainter meteors.

PAUL
However, it has been a while since we’ve had a good meteor shower.

RACHEL
Oh yeah, so you may want to take a chance observing this shower anyways.

PAUL
Meteors from the Lyrid shower will originate in the northeast after midnight.

RACHEL
That’s because the northeast sky is where the orbits of the Lyrid meteor shower and Earth intersect.

PAUL
Meteor showers follow specific orbits around the sun that closely matches their parent.

RACHEL
Just what is the parent of a meteor shower?

PAUL
It’s a comet. Meteors are the dust given off by comets as they approach the warm sun.

RACHEL
So if our listners decide to observe the meteor shower, what should they do?

PAUL
Get inside a warm sleeping bag and look up.

RACHEL
You should see some Lyrids streaking across the sky overhead if you observe long enough.

PAUL
Be sure however to observe the shower from a dark location.

RACHEL
Do you drive to work early in the morning?

PAUL
If so, look in the low east on the morning of the 25th.

RACHEL
There you’ll see the slender crescent moon and the Morning Star side by side.

PAUL
The Morning Star is Venus.

RACHEL
You can’t miss Venus; it’s the brightest star in the sky and it’s located just below the moon.

PAUL
Look for them again the next morning, the 26th.

RACHEL
You’ll find that the moon has moved to the left of Venus.

PAUL
However, both the moon and Venus will still be close enough to form an interesting pair.

That’s Idaho Skies for the last week of April. Join us next month for the space and astronomy events for Idaho.

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.