Transcript for December 23rd to 25th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 23rd, 24th, and 25th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The moon, Jupiter, and Spica form an astronomical trio on the morning of the 23rd.

PAUL
Earthshine should be easier to see the morning of the 23rd than it was a day ago.

RACHEL
You’ll need to be outside some time between 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM.

PAUL
That’s between the time of moonrise and the break of dawn.

RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star that appears as a single star to most people.

PAUL
Stargazers with binoculars won’t be tricked however.

RACHEL
That’s because it takes only a little magnification to split the star into two companions.

PAUL
Stargazers can find this double star for themselves on the morning of the 24th.

RACHEL
It’s easier that morning because Zubenelgenubi is the star below the crescent moon at 6:00 AM.

PAUL
You’ll find that the moon and Zubenelgenubi so close enough together, that you can see both at the same time in binoculars.

RACHEL
But just barely.

PAUL
Did you get a telescope on Christmas Eve or very early Christmas morning?

RACHEL
Then put a low power eyepiece into the telescope and point it at the thin crescent moon at 6:00 AM on the 25th.

PAUL
By the way, a low power eyepiece is one with a large focal length.

RACHEL
So a 25 or 50 mm eyepiece would be ideal.

PAUL
Stargazers will see earthshine illuminating the dark portion of the moon.

RACHEL
And sunlit craters nearly edge-on.

PAUL
Their shadows will be cast long...

RACHEL
...but those shadows are pointing towards Earth so we see them strongly foreshortened.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of December.

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.