Idaho Skies Transcript for May 11 - 17

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

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The moon’s located to Spica’s upper right on the night of the 11th.

PAUL
It’s the brightest star in the rather dim constellation of Virgo.

RACHEL
Spica is the 16th brightest star in the sky and it’s located in a portion of the sky devoid of other bright stars.

PAUL
The name Spica comes from the Latin for a sheaf of wheat.

RACHEL
The primary reason we can see Spica is at a distance of 262 light years is that it’s a pretty bright star.

PAUL
From Spica, the sun is invisible except in a very large telescope.

RACHEL
Spica has a companion star that orbits it in only four days.

PAUL
That very short orbital period tells astronomers that the stars orbit so closely together.

RACHEL
They’re so close together that their mutual gravity pulls them into a football shape.

PAUL
Look for Saturn after sunset on the 13th.

RACHEL
The moon appears a scant four degrees from the ringed planet.

PAUL
Four degrees is less than the distance your three middle fingers span from your outstretched hand.

RACHEL
Saturn is the creamy yellow-white star to the moon’s left.

PAUL
Your eyes and binoculars won’t show any detail.

RACHEL
But a small telescope or spotting scope is powerful enough to show its rings and largest satellite Titan.

PAUL
While observing Saturn, take notice of a star even closer to the moon on its right side.

RACHEL
This is the wide double star Zubenelgenubi.

PAUL
A pair of binoculars, if held steady, shows that it’s actually two stars.

RACHEL
It’s possible that those with good eyesight can see Zubenelgenubi as two stars without optical aid.

PAUL
Do you want to learn how to identify the constellation of Scorpius the Scorpion?

RACHEL
The moon passes close to the scorpion’s northern claw on the morning of the 15th.

PAUL
The heart of Scorpius (Antares) is located to the moon’s lower left.

RACHEL
You’ll find them due south at 2:00 AM.

PAUL
The rest of the scorpion’s body is the curved chain of stars.

RACHEL
The chain forms an 'S' and goes south and east of Antares.

PAUL
The scorpion’s body ends in a close pair of stars called the stinger.

RACHEL
And please, the constellation is called Scorpius and not Scorpio.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of May. Next week Earth may pass through a thick stream of dust from comet LINEAR. If so, we could be in for a treat.

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.