Transcript for September 9th to 11th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
…and Paul.

RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the evening of the 9th.

PAUL
First quarter phase is a great time to observe the moon in your binoculars or small telescope.

RACHEL
Because that’s when the boundary between day and night is turned directly towards Earth.

PAUL
As a result, the shadows cast by the rising sun extend their greatest distance across the lunar surface, from our perspective.

RACHEL
Those stretched out shadows accentuate even small changes in lunar elevation.

PAUL
And that helps to make the moon’s surface appear more jagged than it actually is.

RACHEL
In reality, the lunar surface is for the most part, rounded and very dusty.

PAUL
That’s the result from the relentless bombardment of micrometeorites and cosmic rays that the moon experiences.

RACHEL
Mars is the bright orangish star that you’ll find to the lower left of the moon on the 9th.

PAUL
The distance between the moon and Mars is too great for both to be seen together in binoculars.

RACHEL
Besides, Mars appears as just an orange star in binoculars.

PAUL
When you look at Mars, remember that there are two robots traversing its surface.

RACHEL
The oldest is named Opportunity and it’s been on Mars since 2004.

PAUL
The newest is named Curiosity and it landed in August 2012.

RACHEL
Wait; wasn’t Opportunity accompanied by a twin rover?

PAUL
Yep. It’s companion rover was named Spirit.

RACHEL
Unfortunately, it stopped working after spending over 2,200 days traversing Mars

PAUL
Not bad for a rover designed for a 90 day mission.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th of September.

PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.

For Idaho Skies this is Paul…

RACHEL
…and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.