Transcript: September 2 - 4

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The 1.5 day old moon reappears very low in the west on the evening of the 2nd.

RACHEL
To find the moon, check around 8:30 PM, after sunset but before the sky is dark.

PAUL
The moon will be incredibly thin and easier to find if you locate Venus first.

RACHEL
Venus will appear as the brightest star very low in the west

PAUL
At just 1.5 days old, the moon may be difficult to detect in the still lukewarm evening sky.

RACHEL
No doubt, your binoculars will come in handy for seeing the tiny sliver of moon.

PAUL
There’s one more challenge, Jupiter.

RACHEL
The solar system’s largest planet is very close to the sun, from Earth’s perspective.

PAUL
As a result, casual stargazers lost sight of it two weeks ago.

RACHEL
With binoculars and the help of Venus, stargazers may still detect Jupiter.

PAUL
It appears as the only star located to the right of both Venus and the moon.

RACHEL
Jupiter is much closer to the moon than Venus is to the moon.

PAUL
Which means Jupiter might help you locate the moon rather than the other way around.

RACHEL
Even though Jupiter and the moon will look close, they are very far apart in space.

PAUL
The moon is 240,000 miles away

RACHEL
While Jupiter is 540 million miles away.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of September.

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

For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.