Transcript for September 7th and 8th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul…

RACHEL
…and Rachel.

PAUL
Saturn is the creamy white star below the moon on the evening of the 8th.

RACHEL
The moon and Saturn are less than 4 degrees apart that night.

PAUL
Since most binoculars have a field of view of 5 degrees, the moon and Saturn will fit comfortably together in your binoculars.

RACHEL
You won’t see much of Saturn in your binoculars, however.

PAUL
That’s because it takes at a minimum of 25 power magnification to see the planet’s rings.

RACHEL
So you’ll need at least spotting scope to see the rings of Saturn.

PAUL
The rings are tilted at nearly their greatest extend away from Earth.

RACHEL
This makes them appear at their most open to stargazers.

PAUL
Did you know that a year on Saturn lasts 29 years?

RACHEL
That means in about seven years, those rings will turn edge on and become invisible in many telescope.

PAUL
Along with rings and satellites, larger amateur telescope can also see the planet’s equatorial belt.

RACHEL
Which is a wide band of clouds wrapped around the planet’s mid-section.

PAUL
Through a telescope, Saturn appears so serene.

RACHEL
Don’t be fooled. Below its calm exterior, howl winds faster than 1,000 miles per hour.

PAUL
Winds on Earth are driven by uneven heating by sunlight.

RACHEL
But Saturn is nine times farther from the sun than Earth. That means solar heating is 81 less intense.

PAUL
So what is driving the winds on Saturn?

RACHEL
Most likely from internal heating from its core.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th 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.