Transcript for June 22 to 28

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

PAUL
...and Paul
.

RACHEL
Some of our listeners know that Aries represents the ram with the Golden Fleece in Greek mythology.

PAUL
Have you ever wanted to know how to find the constellation of Aries the Ram?

RACHEL
Well, at 4:00 AM on the 22nd the constellation is located just above the moon.

PAUL
Aries appears as the small 3-star constellation with a squat triangular shape sitting above the moon.

RACHEL
The triangle has a base several times wider than the moon and it points nearly straight up.

PAUL
Pluto’s first moon was discovered 36 years ago on the 22nd.

RACHEL
For 48 years after Pluto’s discovery, the outermost world remained an enigma to astronomers.

PAUL
That changed however when astronomer Jim Christy discovered that Pluto had a satellite.

RACHEL
The new satellite was named Charon, after the ferryman of the dead.

PAUL
The gravitational interaction between Pluto and Charon and a fortunate set of eclipses taught astronomers a lot about Pluto.

RACHEL
For one, they learned that Pluto had a diameter of 1,400 miles.

PAUL
Charon’s orbit told astronomers that Pluto must consists of a large rocky core and thinner coating of ice.

RACHEL
Since Charon’s discovery, astronomers have discovered four other satellites orbiting this distant world.

PAUL
All five satellites have densities close to that of water.

RACHEL
Therefore, it’s known that they are predominately composed of ice.

PAUL
It’s most likely the five satellites formed as the result of a collision between Pluto and another icy body.

RACHEL
There were a lot of these collisions during the formation of the solar system and our moon is most likely a product of one.

PAUL
The moon makes a call on Venus, the Morning Star on the 24th.

RACHEL
At 5:00 AM, look very low in the east for this attractive pair.

PAUL
Their distance apart is a scant two degrees, so they will fit well together in your binoculars.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the fourth week of June. Be sure to listen in next week to learn about the Tunguska event.

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

For Idaho Skies this is Paul...

RACHEL
and Rachel
.

RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.