Transcript: 14 - 20 February

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

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The moon reaches the first quarter phase on the 15th.

PAUL
That’s the same day it passes through the Hyades star cluster.

RACHEL
But wait, there’s more.

PAUL
The moon is also approaching the brightest star in the Hyades, Aldebaran.

RACHEL
Then starting just after 2:00 AM you can watch Aldebaran skim the north polar region of the moon.

PAUL
Even your binoculars are enough to observe this occultation.

RACHEL
If you observe Aldebaran winking out and then reappearing soon after if disappears, it’s because the star is passing behind tall mountains or crater rims.

PAUL
The occultation ends at 2:25 AM on the 16th.

RACHEL
Meaning you’ll have between 2:00 to 2:25 AM to watch Aldebaran skim the northern polar region of the moon.

PAUL
The next evening, the 16th, the moon passes through Taurus the Bull and above Orion the Hunter.

RACHEL
Four very bright stars make up the corners of the rectangular body of Orion.

PAUL
Clockwise, starting from top left, the stars are named Betelgeuse...

RACHEL
...Bellatrix...

PAUL
...Rigel...

RACHEL
...and Saph.

PAUL
The moon continues in its restless ways.

RACHEL
It leaves Orion on the 16th and enters Gemini on the 18th.

PAUL
That night, the moon passes below the twins, specifically, Pollux.

RACHEL
Pollux was the mortal half of the Gemini Twins and his star is slightly brighter than his brother, Castor, which is above Pollux.

PAUL
Finally, this week, the moon takes us on a trip to find an easy to see star cluster.

RACHEL
On the night of the 20th, the moon is below the Beehive star cluster.

PAUL
The Beehive is one of the closest star clusters at a mere 577 light years away.

RACHEL
Astronomers have determined that the cluster contains over 1,000 members.

PAUL
...although only some four dozen are observable in binoculars.

RACHEL
Because of its small size and the relative brightness of its members, it’s a very attractive sight through binoculars or small telescope.

PAUL
Did you know that you can see the Beehive without optical aid?

RACHEL
In dark skies, it appears as a small fuzzy patch.

PAUL
This is why the ancients knew about it over 2,000 years ago.

RACHEL
Well, did you know they also used it to predict the weather?

PAUL
How do you the predict weather using a star cluster?

RACHEL
It’s supposed to be a sign of approaching rain if you can’t see this fuzzy cluster.

PAUL
Why would this be true?

RACHEL
Perhaps because rain is sometimes preceded by high altitude cirrus clouds.

PAUL
And high altitude cirrus clouds will block the light of a fuzzy cluster like the Beehive?

RACHEL
That’s right.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the third week of February. Have you heard about the Moon Illusion? We’ll explain it next week.

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.