Transcript for October 25 - 31

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for the last week of October. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Turn your astronomical attention to the morning sky on the 25th.

RACHEL
There you’ll see Jupiter and Venus very close together in the low east.

PAUL
This should be a very attractive sight as both Jupiter and Venus are quite bright.

RACHEL
Mars is also there, so don’t forget about it.

PAUL
Mars will be the fainter yellowish star that’s not far below Jupiter and Venus.

RACHEL
Get your camera out as this could make a nice photograph.

PAUL
To record an image, mount your camera to a tripod and set its focus on infinity.

RACHEL
You need the tripod to hold your camera steady for the second or two it will take to record the image.

PAUL
The distance between Jupiter and Venus is just one degree, or about twice the width of the moon.

RACHEL
Whoa, on the morning of the 28th, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus will all fit within your binoculars at the same time.

PAUL
Go outside at around 6:00 AM to see them.

RACHEL
This should be very nice.

PAUL
Then on the evening of the 28th, you’ll find the moon forming a triangle of binocular objects with the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters.

RACHEL
The moon is normally a nice binocular object.

PAUL
However, when it’s full, it only shows maria and not the shadows of craters and mountains.

RACHEL
You’ll be surprised with how bright the full moon will appear in your binoculars.

PAUL
In fact, it will be difficult to see faint objects for a few minutes after looking at the full moon through binoculars.

RACHEL
So you’ll want to view the star clusters prior to looking at the moon.

PAUL
Normally you can only see about 6 stars in each of the star clusters without optical aid.

RACHEL
However, because of the increased light gathering ability of the binoculars, you’ll be able to see around two dozen stars per cluster.

PAUL
It surprises some people to hear that the aperture, or size of a telescope’s lens or mirror, is more important that its highest magnification.

RACHEL
There are a few exceptions, but this is generally true.

PAUL
So if you’re in the market for a telescope, get one with an easy to use mount and larger lens or mirror.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the last week of October. Next week the moon passes close to a bright star that’s orbited by a white dwarf.

PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.

For Idaho Skies this is Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.