Welcome to Idaho Skies for the first week of July. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
It’s a shame we don’t live in Chile or Argentina.
PAUL
Why?
RACHEL
Because they get to see the moon pass over Saturn on the afternoon of the 7th.
PAUL
So what do we get to see instead?
RACHEL
We’ll see the moon and Saturn with a separation of 1.3 degrees between them.
PAUL
Since the moon has an apparent diameter of ½ of a degree, they’ll be separated by less than three times the moon’s apparent diameter.
RACHEL
And that’s bound to be an attractive sight, so get you binoculars out.
PAUL
When an astronomical body like the moon covers another object, astronomers call it an occultation.
RACHEL
That’s right and occultations are important tools in astronomy.
PAUL
Because when the time of the occultation is carefully measured, astronomers can accurately measure positions of bodies, like asteroids.
RACHEL
And by measuring the time of the occultation for telescopes in many locations, astronomers can determine the size and shape of an asteroid.
PAUL
New planetary rings and asteroid satellites have been discovered using occultation timings.
RACHEL
Hey, there’s a Super Moon on the 12th.
PAUL
That’s because the moon becomes full just a few hours before reaching its closest point to Earth.
RACHEL
As a result of its closeness this month, the full moon will be slightly larger and brighter than usual.
PAUL
You probably won’t notice this difference with your eye, but you can if you take a picture of the full moon.
RACHEL
After taking a picture of the full moon, record your camera settings.
PAUL
Then take an identical picture six months from now.
RACHEL
And be sure you used the same camera setting for both photographs.
PAUL
When you compare the two images, you’ll see that July’s full moon was both the larger and brighter full moon.
RACHEL
Don’t worry if you can’t record this month’s Super Moon, we’ll get three more Super Moons this year.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the first week of July. Mercury is visible next week, but not for long. Listen in to learn where you can find it.
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.
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