Transcript for October 26th and 27th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 26th and 27th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Stargazers will remember that Jupiter disappeared back in late July or early August.

PAUL
The exact day depended on their western horizon and amount of smoke in the sky.

RACHEL
Now Jupiter is reappearing.

PAUL
That’s right. And below it you’ll find a very thin moon on the morning of the 27th.

RACHEL
To see Jupiter, look for the moon in the low east at about 6:45 AM.

PAUL
Stargazers might find binoculars helpful in seeing the moon on account of its thinness.

RACHEL
Below the moon, you’ll see a bright spark of light.

PAUL
That’s the giant planet Jupiter.

RACHEL
Jupiter is ten times larger than Earth and over 300 times as massive.

PAUL
It orbits five times farther from the sun than Earth.

RACHEL
Than means sunlight at Jupiter is only 4% as bright as it is from Earth.

PAUL
Jupiter has a much more intense magnetic field than Earth.

RACHEL
Its powerful magnetic field traps more radiation emitted from the sun than Earth can.

PAUL
And this results in a very intense radiation belt surrounding the planet.

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It’s so intense in fact that it could kill an unprotected astronaut within minutes.

PAUL
Spacecraft, like Juno currently orbiting Jupiter have shielding surrounding their electronics.

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Without that protection, Jupiter’s radiation belt would render the spacecraft’s electronics inoperable in minutes.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 26th and 27th of October.

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.