Transcript for October 18th to 24th

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

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Hey, Capricornus the Sea-Goat has a clown nose on the 21st.

PAUL
Check out the moon in the low south after 8:30 PM and you’ll find the grim formed by Capricornus below it.

RACHEL
It’s bound to remind you of a smiling clown and his or her big red nose.

PAUL
What’s this Tropic of Capricorn that we’ve heard of before?

RACHEL
This is the name of the Earth’s line of latitude that’s 23.5 degrees south of the equator.

PAUL
Why is this so special?

RACHEL
Because on the first day of winter, the sun is located directly above this latitude.

PAUL
So why call it the Tropic of Capricorn?

RACHEL
Well, over 2,000 years ago, the sun was also located in the constellation of Capricornus on the day that it appeared overhead at -23.5 degrees latitude.

PAUL
Which is also the first day of the northern winter.

RACHEL
That’s right. The ancients named the southern most latitude of the sun after the constellation the sun was passing through.

PAUL
In the 2,000 years since then, the sun’s southernmost constellation has drifted from Capricornus to Sagittarius.

RACHEL
Yep, but no one wants to rename it the Tropic of Sagittarius.

PAUL
But if you can wait another 22,000 years, the sun will appear in the constellation of Aquarius the Water Bearer on the solstice.

RACHEL
Then we can begin celebrating the Age of Aquarius.

PAUL
The Orionid meteor shower reaches its peak on the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd.

RACHEL
The moon is first quarter this night, so its light will interfere some what with the meteors.

PAUL
However, the moon will set as Orion the Hunter and the meteor showers’ radiant rises in the southeast.

RACHEL
You might see between 10 and 20 meteors per hour from this shower from a dark sky location.

PAUL
The best observing comes from just lying back and looking up.

RACHEL
So get your reclining lawn chair and a warm sleeping bag and look up.

PAUL
You might also want a warm caffeinated beverage of your choice to help you keep awake...

RACHEL
...because you might still find yourself outside until after midnight watching meteors.    

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of October. Next week you can see Mars, Jupiter, and Venus at the same time in a pair of binoculars.

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.