Transcript for October 10th - 11th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 10th and 11th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Capricornus is not one of the easiest constellations to find.

RACHEL
And that’s despite the fact that it’s a rather large constellation.

PAUL
The reason why it’s difficult for the average stargazer to find Capricornus is because it consists of dim stars.

RACHEL
Fortunately, it is a sign of the zodiac.

PAUL
Meaning solar system objects like the sun, moon, and planets often travel through the constellation.

RACHEL
That means that on the 10th, the moon will be the friend of stargazers looking for Capricornus.

PAUL
That’s when they’ll find the moon at the top center of this constellation.

RACHEL
The constellation has a shape a lot like a big grin.

PAUL
And that makes the moon look like a bright glint of sunlight reflecting off the lips of a grinning Capricornus.

RACHEL
The constellations of the Zodiac where very important to ancient people.

PAUL
Because they formed a calendar for these early farmers.

RACHEL
The Zodiac contained 12 constellations when the ancients created it over 2,000 years ago.

PAUL
Today there are actually 13 constellations the sun passes through in the course of one year.

RACHEL
Why an extra constellation? Did astronomers create a new one?

PAUL
Nope. It’s because the course of the sun across the sky has changed due to the wobble of Earth’s axis.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th and 11th of October.

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.