Transcript for October 14th to 16th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 14th, 15th, and 16th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Stargazers with binoculars will find the planet Uranus in the same field of view at the moon on the evening of the 15th.

RACHEL
On account of its great brightness, Uranus will be much easier to see than Neptune was on the 12th.

PAUL
However, stargazers who want to see Uranus are advised to at least leave downtown for darker skies.

RACHEL
From a location with reasonably dark skies, aim your binoculars at the moon.

PAUL
Then place the moon at the bottom of your binoculars.

RACHEL
You’re now looking for an upside down L shape of four stars.

PAUL
The upside down L starts at the upper left of the moon.

RACHEL
And it continues nearly straight up and then turns to the right above the moon.

PAUL
Uranus will be the star at the end of the L.

RACHEL
Listeners will find a helpful star map on our Twitter account, @IdahoSkies.

PAUL
Do you want to learn to identify the constellation of Aries the Ram?

PAUL
Then look for the moon at 9:00 PM the night of the 16th.

RACHEL
Aries is the small curve of three stars located twice as high above the horizon as the moon.

PAUL
Its brightest star is the one on the right end of the constellation.

RACHEL
Astronomers call it Alpha Arietis, but its friends just call it Hamal.

PAUL
Over 2,000 years ago, Hamal marked the location of the sun on the first day of spring.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th, 15th, and 16th 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.