Are you getting a new telescope for Christmas? Well, the Boise Astronomical Society wants you to enjoy many more successful astronomical encounters with your new telescope. That's why on January 12th, they're hosting a free workshop for families with a new telescope.
The astronomical society understands how difficult it can be to operate a new telescope. So club members will be at Anser Charter School on January 12th starting at 7:00 PM to help anyone with a telescope get the most out of their space explorer.
This is one of many ways your local astronomical club is ready to help our community experience the joy and astronomy. So please pay them a visit - you'll get your best astronomical views this summer if you do.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 29th, 30th, and 31st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 29th, 30th, and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon forms a trio with two star clusters on the night of the 29th.
PAUL
The star clusters are the Pleiades and the Hyades.
RACHEL
Both are good binocular objects, but only the Pleiades is suitable for a Christmas telescope.
PAUL
The Pleiades will appear as a tiny dipper of stars through binoculars or telescope of modest power.
RACHEL
After observing the moon on the 29th, look again on the next day to see how close the moon has traveled to Aldebaran.
PAUL
Aldebaran is the bright orangish star at the edge of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
It’s represents the eye of Taurus the Bull and is not a part of the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
The moon is nearly full on the 30th, so its best craters will appear tilted away from Earth.
RACHEL
However, large lunar seas and the mountains rimming them will be quite easy to see.
PAUL
The moon continues its travels and will appear above Orion the Hunter on the 31st.
RACHEL
Look for Orion’s tilted rectangle of four bright stars below and right of the moon.
PAUL
Passing through the center of this large rectangle will be a straight line of three equally bright stars, or Orion’s Belt.
RACHEL
Now look below the middle star of a line of two or three fainter stars.
PAUL
This is Orion’s sword.
RACHEL
If you aim your Christmas telescope at the second, sort of fuzzy looking star in the sword, you’ll be in for a real surprise.
PAUL
This fuzzy star will turn into a white or green cloud filled with swirls and stars.
RACHEL
This is the Great Orion nebula, a stellar nursery where stars and solar systems are being born today.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th, 30th and 31st 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 27th and 28th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by English astronomer William Herschel.
RACHEL
Herschel wasn’t born in England, he was born in the Electorate of Hanover, or what is now a part of Germany.
PAUL
Since 1774, Herschel had been observing the skies with his large telescopes.
RACHEL
These were handmade and of very good quality for their time.
PAUL
On March 13th, 1781, Herschel realized a star he was looking at was not a point of light like the other stars.
RACHEL
At first, he thought his discovery was a new comet.
PAUL
But soon, he discovered his comet moved like the other planets and not like other comets.
RACHEL
Hershel’s discovery of Uranus made him famous overnight.
PAUL
That’s because no planets had been discovered since the times of antiquity.
RACHEL
Astronomy was not Herschel’s first job.
PAUL
That’s right; he was originally a composer and music director.
RACHEL
However, after his discovery of Uranus, King George the Third made him the Royal Astronomer.
PAUL
This allowed Herschel to become a full time astronomer with the assistance of his sister, Caroline.
RACHEL
On the 27th, you too can discover Uranus for yourself.
PAUL
Do so by aiming your binoculars at the moon at 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Then shift the moon to the left edge of your binoculars in the 7:30 position.
PAUL
Then look for the brightest star six degrees to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
Remember that binoculars have a view 7.5 degrees wide.
PAUL
That star you see is Uranus and you can be certain of it if you see a squashed rectangle between the moon and Uranus.
RACHEL
You’ll find a helpful star map on our Twitter account.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by English astronomer William Herschel.
RACHEL
Herschel wasn’t born in England, he was born in the Electorate of Hanover, or what is now a part of Germany.
PAUL
Since 1774, Herschel had been observing the skies with his large telescopes.
RACHEL
These were handmade and of very good quality for their time.
PAUL
On March 13th, 1781, Herschel realized a star he was looking at was not a point of light like the other stars.
RACHEL
At first, he thought his discovery was a new comet.
PAUL
But soon, he discovered his comet moved like the other planets and not like other comets.
RACHEL
Hershel’s discovery of Uranus made him famous overnight.
PAUL
That’s because no planets had been discovered since the times of antiquity.
RACHEL
Astronomy was not Herschel’s first job.
PAUL
That’s right; he was originally a composer and music director.
RACHEL
However, after his discovery of Uranus, King George the Third made him the Royal Astronomer.
PAUL
This allowed Herschel to become a full time astronomer with the assistance of his sister, Caroline.
RACHEL
On the 27th, you too can discover Uranus for yourself.
PAUL
Do so by aiming your binoculars at the moon at 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Then shift the moon to the left edge of your binoculars in the 7:30 position.
PAUL
Then look for the brightest star six degrees to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
Remember that binoculars have a view 7.5 degrees wide.
PAUL
That star you see is Uranus and you can be certain of it if you see a squashed rectangle between the moon and Uranus.
RACHEL
You’ll find a helpful star map on our Twitter account.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 25th and 26th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the 26th.
PAUL
This is the most excellent phase for going moon watching.
RACHEL
So listeners who got a new telescope or binoculars for Christmas have the perfect target tonight.
PAUL
Start by placing a low power eyepiece in your telescope.
RACHEL
The low power eyepiece is the one with the largest number written on its side of its barrel.
PAUL
That number is the focal length of the eyepiece in millimeters.
RACHEL
To calculate the magnification of your telescope, divide the focal length of the main lens, or objective by the focal length of the eyepiece you selected.
PAUL
A lower power is usually better than a higher power, especially when trying to locate objects.
RACHEL
Anther reason is that high magnifications also magnify the distortion caused by the turbulent air.
PAUL
When you look at the moon in low power, you’ll notice that the terminator or boundary between day and night runs straight up and down the center of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll also notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed full of craters.
PAUL
Whether the moon’s southern hemisphere appears at the top or bottom of the moon depends on what kind of instrument you’re looking through.
RACHEL
Binoculars and spotting scopes don’t invert their images, so the southern hemisphere will appear at the bottom of the moon.
PAUL
Telescopes on the other hand do invert their images.
RACHEL
But this is not bad, as binoculars and spotting scopes use additional lens to un-invert their images.
PAUL
Meaning there’s more dimming of the moon’s light and a slight reduction in optical clarity.
RACHEL
Besides, one can always reverse the image of their telescope by standing with their back towards the moon before looking through the eyepiece.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
PAUL
...and Rachel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the 26th.
PAUL
This is the most excellent phase for going moon watching.
RACHEL
So listeners who got a new telescope or binoculars for Christmas have the perfect target tonight.
PAUL
Start by placing a low power eyepiece in your telescope.
RACHEL
The low power eyepiece is the one with the largest number written on its side of its barrel.
PAUL
That number is the focal length of the eyepiece in millimeters.
RACHEL
To calculate the magnification of your telescope, divide the focal length of the main lens, or objective by the focal length of the eyepiece you selected.
PAUL
A lower power is usually better than a higher power, especially when trying to locate objects.
RACHEL
Anther reason is that high magnifications also magnify the distortion caused by the turbulent air.
PAUL
When you look at the moon in low power, you’ll notice that the terminator or boundary between day and night runs straight up and down the center of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll also notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed full of craters.
PAUL
Whether the moon’s southern hemisphere appears at the top or bottom of the moon depends on what kind of instrument you’re looking through.
RACHEL
Binoculars and spotting scopes don’t invert their images, so the southern hemisphere will appear at the bottom of the moon.
PAUL
Telescopes on the other hand do invert their images.
RACHEL
But this is not bad, as binoculars and spotting scopes use additional lens to un-invert their images.
PAUL
Meaning there’s more dimming of the moon’s light and a slight reduction in optical clarity.
RACHEL
Besides, one can always reverse the image of their telescope by standing with their back towards the moon before looking through the eyepiece.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
PAUL
...and Rachel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon finally reappears this week.
PAUL
So stargazers will find a very thin crescent in the low southwest after it get dark, or at around 7:00 PM.
RACHEL
They’ll probably notice a faint illumination on the darken left side of the moon.
PAUL
That’s earthshine, or sunlight illuminating the dark portion of the moon after bouncing off of the reflective Earth.
RACHEL
Earthshine is bright enough that in binoculars, stargazers can see some of the lunar markings.
PAUL
It’s best to use binoculars because their large lens can gather more light that our eyes.
RACHEL
Hey early rises, be sure to look in the southeast on the 23rd.
PAUL
At around 6:00 AM you’ll see bright Jupiter.
RACHEL
More importantly, there’s a star just to the lower right of Jupiter.
PAUL
And it’s close, so you might want binoculars to get a better view.
RACHEL
That star is Zubenelgenubi, a widely spaced double star.
PAUL
Since the spacing between Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi is only ¾ of a degree, they fit very nicely within binoculars.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi have something to offer binocular users.
PAUL
Jupiter sports its largest satellite, Ganymede just above the planet.
RACHEL
And Zubenelgenubi splits into two closely spaced stars.
PAUL
Stargazers will find that the relative angle and spacing between Jupiter and Ganymede and between the two components of Zubenelgenubi are nearly identical.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon finally reappears this week.
PAUL
So stargazers will find a very thin crescent in the low southwest after it get dark, or at around 7:00 PM.
RACHEL
They’ll probably notice a faint illumination on the darken left side of the moon.
PAUL
That’s earthshine, or sunlight illuminating the dark portion of the moon after bouncing off of the reflective Earth.
RACHEL
Earthshine is bright enough that in binoculars, stargazers can see some of the lunar markings.
PAUL
It’s best to use binoculars because their large lens can gather more light that our eyes.
RACHEL
Hey early rises, be sure to look in the southeast on the 23rd.
PAUL
At around 6:00 AM you’ll see bright Jupiter.
RACHEL
More importantly, there’s a star just to the lower right of Jupiter.
PAUL
And it’s close, so you might want binoculars to get a better view.
RACHEL
That star is Zubenelgenubi, a widely spaced double star.
PAUL
Since the spacing between Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi is only ¾ of a degree, they fit very nicely within binoculars.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi have something to offer binocular users.
PAUL
Jupiter sports its largest satellite, Ganymede just above the planet.
RACHEL
And Zubenelgenubi splits into two closely spaced stars.
PAUL
Stargazers will find that the relative angle and spacing between Jupiter and Ganymede and between the two components of Zubenelgenubi are nearly identical.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 20th and 21st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
It’s the winter solstice on the 21st.
RACHEL
The winter what?
PAUL
Solstice. It means sun standing still.
RACHEL
Oh, you mean the first day of winter.
PAUL
That’s right. On the 21st at 9:28 AM, the sun will appear at its lowest elevation with respect to the fixed stars.
RACHEL
And at that time, it will stand directly overhead over the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
This marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
So the 21st is the day with the shortest day and longest night for Idahoans.
PAUL
The sun appears to drift north and south across the sky because Earth’s spin axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
RACHEL
Recall that our spin axis is fixed in space; in fact, it always points towards Polaris the Pole Star.
PAUL
So in December, the direction towards Polaris is away from the sun.
RACHEL
But the boundary between Earth’s day and night always remains vertical.
PAUL
Therefore, in December, the Northern hemisphere tilts more into the night making night last several hours longer.
RACHEL
Longer nights means there’s more time for ground to cool and less time to warm up from exposure to daylight.
PAUL
Making it even worse, the angle that the sun shines on the surface is sloped even more.
RACHEL
This means the ground experiences less intense sunlight and therefore doesn’t get warm as fast as it does during the summer months.
PAUL
And as a result, cold winters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
It’s the winter solstice on the 21st.
RACHEL
The winter what?
PAUL
Solstice. It means sun standing still.
RACHEL
Oh, you mean the first day of winter.
PAUL
That’s right. On the 21st at 9:28 AM, the sun will appear at its lowest elevation with respect to the fixed stars.
RACHEL
And at that time, it will stand directly overhead over the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
This marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
So the 21st is the day with the shortest day and longest night for Idahoans.
PAUL
The sun appears to drift north and south across the sky because Earth’s spin axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
RACHEL
Recall that our spin axis is fixed in space; in fact, it always points towards Polaris the Pole Star.
PAUL
So in December, the direction towards Polaris is away from the sun.
RACHEL
But the boundary between Earth’s day and night always remains vertical.
PAUL
Therefore, in December, the Northern hemisphere tilts more into the night making night last several hours longer.
RACHEL
Longer nights means there’s more time for ground to cool and less time to warm up from exposure to daylight.
PAUL
Making it even worse, the angle that the sun shines on the surface is sloped even more.
RACHEL
This means the ground experiences less intense sunlight and therefore doesn’t get warm as fast as it does during the summer months.
PAUL
And as a result, cold winters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 18th and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
That means stargazers won’t be able to see it for a couple of days.
RACHEL
And when they do, it will be a thin crescent in the low southwest.
PAUL
So get ready to go moon watching in another two or three days.
RACHEL
Let’s dial the way back machine to December 18th, 1958.
PAUL
The Space Age is just over a year old and the United States is trying to place more and better satellites into Earth orbit.
RACHEL
One of our countries first successes was a communication satellite.
PAUL
Called Project Score, this satellite was actually an empty rocket booster.
RACHEL
But the empty Atlas booster carried a tape recorder and radio.
PAUL
Which allowed select ground stations to send a message to the Atlas for storage on its tape recorder.
RACHEL
Then when the Atlas passed over a second ground station, it would replay the message over the radio.
PAUL
The dual redundant radio, antennas, and tape recorders weighed 150 pounds.
RACHEL
And the tape recorder could store a message up to four minutes long.
PAUL
President Eisenhower recorded a Christmas message on Project Score.
RACHEL
His message was for peace on Earth and goodwill.
PAUL
Being a large, but empty booster meant that air drag had a strong effect on the satellite.
RACHEL
As a result, Project Score only remained in orbit for 36 days.
PAUL
And during that month, it illustrated some of the promise of the newly born Space Age.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
That means stargazers won’t be able to see it for a couple of days.
RACHEL
And when they do, it will be a thin crescent in the low southwest.
PAUL
So get ready to go moon watching in another two or three days.
RACHEL
Let’s dial the way back machine to December 18th, 1958.
PAUL
The Space Age is just over a year old and the United States is trying to place more and better satellites into Earth orbit.
RACHEL
One of our countries first successes was a communication satellite.
PAUL
Called Project Score, this satellite was actually an empty rocket booster.
RACHEL
But the empty Atlas booster carried a tape recorder and radio.
PAUL
Which allowed select ground stations to send a message to the Atlas for storage on its tape recorder.
RACHEL
Then when the Atlas passed over a second ground station, it would replay the message over the radio.
PAUL
The dual redundant radio, antennas, and tape recorders weighed 150 pounds.
RACHEL
And the tape recorder could store a message up to four minutes long.
PAUL
President Eisenhower recorded a Christmas message on Project Score.
RACHEL
His message was for peace on Earth and goodwill.
PAUL
Being a large, but empty booster meant that air drag had a strong effect on the satellite.
RACHEL
As a result, Project Score only remained in orbit for 36 days.
PAUL
And during that month, it illustrated some of the promise of the newly born Space Age.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 15th, 16th, and 17th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 15th, 16th, and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 15th 1612, German astronomer Simon Marius became the first person to observe Andromeda galaxy through a telescope.
RACHEL
Through his telescope, Marius discovered that the fuzzy spot grew brighter towards its center.
PAUL
He thought it was best described as looking like a candle shining through horn.
RACHEL
Little did Marius realize he was observing a great island of stars.
PAUL
In fact, it wasn’t until 1864 that a spectroscope was able to detect that the Andromeda nebula actually emitted light like a star and not a gas.
RACHEL
This was the clue astronomers needed to understand that Andromeda was actually a collection of stars so far away that they couldn’t be seen individually.
PAUL
One hundred years ago, astronomers began arguing whether or not Andromeda was what they called an island universe.
RACHEL
Being an island universe meant it wasn’t a star cluster within our galaxy, but actually a distant city of stars like the Milky Way.
PAUL
And by 1925, astronomers had the measurements they needed to prove that Andromeda was so far away that it had to be a galaxy like our own Milky Way.
RACHEL
And you can see this galaxy with binoculars.
PAUL
At 7:50 PM, point your binoculars straight up.
RACHEL
Just two degrees lower in the south will appear an oblong and fuzzy cloud.
PAUL
For a sense of scale, binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
RACHEL
The fuzzy cloud is the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million light years away.
PAUL
If you make this observation outside of town, you can see the galaxy with just your eyes.
RACHEL
And it you can’t make the observation exactly at 7:50 on the 15th, don’t worry.
PAUL
That’s because Andromeda will just appear slightly more towards the west if you look later.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th, 16th, and 17th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 15th, 16th, and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 15th 1612, German astronomer Simon Marius became the first person to observe Andromeda galaxy through a telescope.
RACHEL
Through his telescope, Marius discovered that the fuzzy spot grew brighter towards its center.
PAUL
He thought it was best described as looking like a candle shining through horn.
RACHEL
Little did Marius realize he was observing a great island of stars.
PAUL
In fact, it wasn’t until 1864 that a spectroscope was able to detect that the Andromeda nebula actually emitted light like a star and not a gas.
RACHEL
This was the clue astronomers needed to understand that Andromeda was actually a collection of stars so far away that they couldn’t be seen individually.
PAUL
One hundred years ago, astronomers began arguing whether or not Andromeda was what they called an island universe.
RACHEL
Being an island universe meant it wasn’t a star cluster within our galaxy, but actually a distant city of stars like the Milky Way.
PAUL
And by 1925, astronomers had the measurements they needed to prove that Andromeda was so far away that it had to be a galaxy like our own Milky Way.
RACHEL
And you can see this galaxy with binoculars.
PAUL
At 7:50 PM, point your binoculars straight up.
RACHEL
Just two degrees lower in the south will appear an oblong and fuzzy cloud.
PAUL
For a sense of scale, binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
RACHEL
The fuzzy cloud is the Andromeda Galaxy, which is 2.5 million light years away.
PAUL
If you make this observation outside of town, you can see the galaxy with just your eyes.
RACHEL
And it you can’t make the observation exactly at 7:50 on the 15th, don’t worry.
PAUL
That’s because Andromeda will just appear slightly more towards the west if you look later.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th, 16th, and 17th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 13th and 14th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers with binoculars are in for a double treat on the morning of the 14th.
PAUL
Next to the thin crescent moon in the low east will be two unequally bright stars.
RACHEL
The brightest is Jupiter, a planet 11 times larger in diameter than Earth.
PAUL
The fainter is the double star Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi are fine binocular objects.
PAUL
Because they both show some sort of detail.
RACHEL
Jupiter for instance, will be accompanied by two of its brightest satellites.
PAUL
Below Jupiter, will the volcanic moon Io.
RACHEL
And above Jupiter will be the icy moon Europa.
PAUL
Zubenelgenubi on the other hand will turn into a double star through binoculars.
RACHEL
Even the moon is a fine binocular object, but too thin to show much in the way of details tonight.
PAUL
Stargazers wanting to spend time observing this trio should do so between 6:00 and 7:00 AM.
RACHEL
Recall that both Io and Europa are close to the size of our moon.
PAUL
So what you see though binoculars is how Earth’s moon would appear from Jupiter.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a twin star system 77 light years away.
PAUL
The fact that we can still see this star when it’s so far away indicates it’s much brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
In fact, about six times brighter.
PAUL
The distance between the stars of Zubenelgenubi is over 5,000 times greater than the distance between Earth and the sun.
RACHEL
This means our solar system would appear as a tiny blip between these two stars in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers with binoculars are in for a double treat on the morning of the 14th.
PAUL
Next to the thin crescent moon in the low east will be two unequally bright stars.
RACHEL
The brightest is Jupiter, a planet 11 times larger in diameter than Earth.
PAUL
The fainter is the double star Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi are fine binocular objects.
PAUL
Because they both show some sort of detail.
RACHEL
Jupiter for instance, will be accompanied by two of its brightest satellites.
PAUL
Below Jupiter, will the volcanic moon Io.
RACHEL
And above Jupiter will be the icy moon Europa.
PAUL
Zubenelgenubi on the other hand will turn into a double star through binoculars.
RACHEL
Even the moon is a fine binocular object, but too thin to show much in the way of details tonight.
PAUL
Stargazers wanting to spend time observing this trio should do so between 6:00 and 7:00 AM.
RACHEL
Recall that both Io and Europa are close to the size of our moon.
PAUL
So what you see though binoculars is how Earth’s moon would appear from Jupiter.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a twin star system 77 light years away.
PAUL
The fact that we can still see this star when it’s so far away indicates it’s much brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
In fact, about six times brighter.
PAUL
The distance between the stars of Zubenelgenubi is over 5,000 times greater than the distance between Earth and the sun.
RACHEL
This means our solar system would appear as a tiny blip between these two stars in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 11th and 12th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 12th, 1871, English astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer was in India to view a total solar eclipse.
RACHEL
He experienced a lot of difficulty getting to India, so Lockyer was very happy to be there in time to prepare for the eclipse.
PAUL
At the business end of his telescope was a spectroscope, or an instrument designed to split the sun’s light into its component colors.
RACHEL
Lockyer was looking for thin dark lines in the rainbow of light that his spectroscope produced.
PAUL
This was because in 1868, he and French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered the opposite, a bright yellow line in the sun’s spectrum during a similar eclipse.
RACHEL
By this time, astronomers and physicists understood that hot atoms emit patterns of colored lines unique to each element.
PAUL
The yellow line Lockyer and Janssen discovered had never been observed in any experiment performed on Earth before.
RACHEL
Lockyer understood this line came from a new element, one unknown on Earth.
PAUL
So he named the element after the sun god, Helios.
RACHEL
Helium would not be discovered on Earth until 1895, some 27 years later.
PAUL
The ability to detect elements on the sun contradicted the writings of philosopher Auguste Comte.
RACHEL
Comte claimed that the doctrine of Positivism meant that humans could never know the composition of the stars.
PAUL
Primarily because we could never travel to the stars to collect samples.
RACHEL
So by traveling to India with a telescope, Lockyer was using the black line(s) in the solar spectrum to discover the elements making up the sun.
PAUL
Score one for science and technology.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On December 12th, 1871, English astronomer Sir Norman Lockyer was in India to view a total solar eclipse.
RACHEL
He experienced a lot of difficulty getting to India, so Lockyer was very happy to be there in time to prepare for the eclipse.
PAUL
At the business end of his telescope was a spectroscope, or an instrument designed to split the sun’s light into its component colors.
RACHEL
Lockyer was looking for thin dark lines in the rainbow of light that his spectroscope produced.
PAUL
This was because in 1868, he and French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovered the opposite, a bright yellow line in the sun’s spectrum during a similar eclipse.
RACHEL
By this time, astronomers and physicists understood that hot atoms emit patterns of colored lines unique to each element.
PAUL
The yellow line Lockyer and Janssen discovered had never been observed in any experiment performed on Earth before.
RACHEL
Lockyer understood this line came from a new element, one unknown on Earth.
PAUL
So he named the element after the sun god, Helios.
RACHEL
Helium would not be discovered on Earth until 1895, some 27 years later.
PAUL
The ability to detect elements on the sun contradicted the writings of philosopher Auguste Comte.
RACHEL
Comte claimed that the doctrine of Positivism meant that humans could never know the composition of the stars.
PAUL
Primarily because we could never travel to the stars to collect samples.
RACHEL
So by traveling to India with a telescope, Lockyer was using the black line(s) in the solar spectrum to discover the elements making up the sun.
PAUL
Score one for science and technology.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, December 4, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 8th, 9th, and 10th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 8th, 9th, and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
What are the best moon phases for stargazers with binoculars?
PAUL
That would be when the moon is half full, or at first and third quarter phases.
RACHEL
Good, the moon stands at third quarter on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th.
PAUL
Do you know why the moon makes a better binocular target when it’s half full?
RACHEL
Sure. Because when it’s half full, the lunar terminator is directly between the Earth and moon.
PAUL
Remember that the terminator is the boundary between day and night.
RACHEL
And that it marks the location of sunrise and sunset...
PAUL
...or when the shadows cast by the sun stretch their longest across the ground.
RACHEL
Since the terminator is directly between the Earth and moon, the shadows are not foreshortened by the curvature of the moon.
PAUL
The result is long shadows that accentuate small changes in the lunar surface.
RACHEL
This makes it much easier to see features like craters and mountains on the moon, even small ones.
PAUL
Binoculars, with their two inch lens, can make out craters as small as five or six miles across on the moon.
RACHEL
Meaning that over 100 craters are potentially visible through binoculars, especially in the moon’s southern hemisphere.
PAUL
That’s an old region of the moon and it hasn’t been subject to lava flows.
RACHEL
Being old terrain means there’s been lots of time to accumulate craters.
PAUL
And no lava flows means none of these craters have been covered up.
RACHEL
So get your binoculars out on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th and spend a little quality time with the moon.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 8th, 9th, and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
What are the best moon phases for stargazers with binoculars?
PAUL
That would be when the moon is half full, or at first and third quarter phases.
RACHEL
Good, the moon stands at third quarter on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th.
PAUL
Do you know why the moon makes a better binocular target when it’s half full?
RACHEL
Sure. Because when it’s half full, the lunar terminator is directly between the Earth and moon.
PAUL
Remember that the terminator is the boundary between day and night.
RACHEL
And that it marks the location of sunrise and sunset...
PAUL
...or when the shadows cast by the sun stretch their longest across the ground.
RACHEL
Since the terminator is directly between the Earth and moon, the shadows are not foreshortened by the curvature of the moon.
PAUL
The result is long shadows that accentuate small changes in the lunar surface.
RACHEL
This makes it much easier to see features like craters and mountains on the moon, even small ones.
PAUL
Binoculars, with their two inch lens, can make out craters as small as five or six miles across on the moon.
RACHEL
Meaning that over 100 craters are potentially visible through binoculars, especially in the moon’s southern hemisphere.
PAUL
That’s an old region of the moon and it hasn’t been subject to lava flows.
RACHEL
Being old terrain means there’s been lots of time to accumulate craters.
PAUL
And no lava flows means none of these craters have been covered up.
RACHEL
So get your binoculars out on the night of the 9th and morning of the 10th and spend a little quality time with the moon.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 6th and 7th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey, the Beehive star cluster is only three degrees away from the moon on the 7th.
RACHEL
By the way, three degrees is less than half the field of view through binoculars.
PAUL
The Beehive is large and bright enough that stargazers can see this star cluster as a fuzzy patch with just their eyes in dark skies.
RACHEL
But the Beehive really shines in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s where the star cluster appears as a swarm of stars instead of a fuzzy spot.
RACHEL
In fact, in good skies, stargazers may see as many as two dozen stars in a small area.
PAUL
The stars inside a star cluster are stellar brothers and sisters.
RACHEL
That’s because they were born from the same parent cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
Like siblings, stars in a star cluster will eventually leave their homes to wander the galaxy.
RACHEL
They’ll develop the tendency to never call their moms, either.
PAUL
The presence of the moon will make it easier for city dwellers to find the Beehive star cluster.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at the moon at around 5:00 AM on the 7th.
PAUL
Then look to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
About six lunar diameters away stargazers will see a grouping of stars about the size of the moon.
PAUL
The stars will remind many stargazers of a swarm of bees around their hive.
RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster is 577 light years away.
PAUL
So the light you see tonight left in the year 1440, or 52 years before Columbus left Spain on a voyage that he thought would bring him to India (and China).
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey, the Beehive star cluster is only three degrees away from the moon on the 7th.
RACHEL
By the way, three degrees is less than half the field of view through binoculars.
PAUL
The Beehive is large and bright enough that stargazers can see this star cluster as a fuzzy patch with just their eyes in dark skies.
RACHEL
But the Beehive really shines in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s where the star cluster appears as a swarm of stars instead of a fuzzy spot.
RACHEL
In fact, in good skies, stargazers may see as many as two dozen stars in a small area.
PAUL
The stars inside a star cluster are stellar brothers and sisters.
RACHEL
That’s because they were born from the same parent cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
Like siblings, stars in a star cluster will eventually leave their homes to wander the galaxy.
RACHEL
They’ll develop the tendency to never call their moms, either.
PAUL
The presence of the moon will make it easier for city dwellers to find the Beehive star cluster.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at the moon at around 5:00 AM on the 7th.
PAUL
Then look to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
About six lunar diameters away stargazers will see a grouping of stars about the size of the moon.
PAUL
The stars will remind many stargazers of a swarm of bees around their hive.
RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster is 577 light years away.
PAUL
So the light you see tonight left in the year 1440, or 52 years before Columbus left Spain on a voyage that he thought would bring him to India (and China).
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 4th and 5th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 4th and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Do you remember the names of two rovers that are still traversing the Martian surface?
PAUL
Sure, one is Opportunity and the other is Curiosity.
RACHEL
Opportunity landed in 2004 and has traveled over 28 miles across the Martian surface.
PAUL
Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 and it has covered over 10 miles of Martian terrain.
RACHEL
There are two other Mars rovers, Spirit and Sojourner.
PAUL
And it all began with the first, Sojourner, which was launched 21 years ago this Monday.
RACHEL
After an eight month flight, she landed on Mars on Independence Day, 1997.
PAUL
Sojourner was a secondary payload to the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft.
RACHEL
Which was the third American spacecraft that landed on Mars.
PAUL
This was 21 years after the previous two landers, Viking 1 and Viking 2.
RACHEL
Since the Viking landers non-discovery of life was a little bit of a letdown, there was little interest in trying to land on Mars again.
PAUL
Which is a shame, since Mars is actually quite an interesting place.
RACHEL
Sojourner’s success is what led to the rovers exploring Mars today.
PAUL
The Sojourner rover was only the size of a microwave oven.
RACHEL
The Sojourner rover was solar powered and depended on the Mars Pathfinder lander for communication with Earth.
PAUL
JPL sent Sojourner out to sample neighboring rocks using its Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer.
RACHEL
JPL designed the little rover to function for seven days, but it ended up operating for 82.
PAUL
And she drove a bit more than 300 feet during that time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th and 5th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 4th and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Do you remember the names of two rovers that are still traversing the Martian surface?
PAUL
Sure, one is Opportunity and the other is Curiosity.
RACHEL
Opportunity landed in 2004 and has traveled over 28 miles across the Martian surface.
PAUL
Curiosity landed on Mars in 2012 and it has covered over 10 miles of Martian terrain.
RACHEL
There are two other Mars rovers, Spirit and Sojourner.
PAUL
And it all began with the first, Sojourner, which was launched 21 years ago this Monday.
RACHEL
After an eight month flight, she landed on Mars on Independence Day, 1997.
PAUL
Sojourner was a secondary payload to the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft.
RACHEL
Which was the third American spacecraft that landed on Mars.
PAUL
This was 21 years after the previous two landers, Viking 1 and Viking 2.
RACHEL
Since the Viking landers non-discovery of life was a little bit of a letdown, there was little interest in trying to land on Mars again.
PAUL
Which is a shame, since Mars is actually quite an interesting place.
RACHEL
Sojourner’s success is what led to the rovers exploring Mars today.
PAUL
The Sojourner rover was only the size of a microwave oven.
RACHEL
The Sojourner rover was solar powered and depended on the Mars Pathfinder lander for communication with Earth.
PAUL
JPL sent Sojourner out to sample neighboring rocks using its Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer.
RACHEL
JPL designed the little rover to function for seven days, but it ended up operating for 82.
PAUL
And she drove a bit more than 300 feet during that time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th and 5th of December.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Idaho skies Transcript for December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers will find the moon close to the Hyades star cluster on the evening of the 2nd.
PAUL
The Hyades forms the face of Taurus the Bull.
RACHEL
The eye of Taurus is marked with the orangish star Aldebaran.
PAUL
Not quite a red eye, is it?
RACHEL
Did you know that although Aldebaran marks one end of the Hyades, it’s not a part of the star cluster?
PAUL
That’s right. Aldebaran is actually only half as far away from the solar system as the Hyades.
RACHEL
This is an example of how the third dimension or depth is not apparent in stargazing.
PAUL
Stargazers will enjoy the Hyades because they make a great binocular object.
RACHEL
First, see how many stars you can see without the aid of binoculars.
PAUL
Some people can see a dozen with just their eyes.
RACHEL
Now aim your binoculars at the star cluster and count the number of stars you can see.
PAUL
Under good conditions, binoculars can show several dozen stars in the Hyades.
RACHEL
Telescopes, which can collect a lot of light, have detected over 100 stars inside the cluster.
PAUL
While you’re observing the Hyades through binoculars, notice how the stars are arranged in a V-shaped pattern.
RACHEL
It’s not difficult to picture a bull’s horns in that V-shape arrangement of stars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers will find the moon close to the Hyades star cluster on the evening of the 2nd.
PAUL
The Hyades forms the face of Taurus the Bull.
RACHEL
The eye of Taurus is marked with the orangish star Aldebaran.
PAUL
Not quite a red eye, is it?
RACHEL
Did you know that although Aldebaran marks one end of the Hyades, it’s not a part of the star cluster?
PAUL
That’s right. Aldebaran is actually only half as far away from the solar system as the Hyades.
RACHEL
This is an example of how the third dimension or depth is not apparent in stargazing.
PAUL
Stargazers will enjoy the Hyades because they make a great binocular object.
RACHEL
First, see how many stars you can see without the aid of binoculars.
PAUL
Some people can see a dozen with just their eyes.
RACHEL
Now aim your binoculars at the star cluster and count the number of stars you can see.
PAUL
Under good conditions, binoculars can show several dozen stars in the Hyades.
RACHEL
Telescopes, which can collect a lot of light, have detected over 100 stars inside the cluster.
PAUL
While you’re observing the Hyades through binoculars, notice how the stars are arranged in a V-shaped pattern.
RACHEL
It’s not difficult to picture a bull’s horns in that V-shape arrangement of stars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 29th and 30th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 29th and 30th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On the 29th, stargazers will find the planet Uranus only seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
That’s so close that binoculars can easily locate the solar system’s 7th planet.
PAUL
To see Uranus, stargazers should take a pair of binoculars to a location with dark skies.
RACHEL
They won’t need to leave town, but they should at least get out from under street lights.
PAUL
Now Uranus will look like a star, so stargazers will need to take their time verifying the planet.
RACHEL
Fortunately, Uranus will be the brightest star in the area, so that won’t be too difficult.
PAUL
Stargazers should start by pointing their binoculars at the moon at around 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Don’t worry if you can’t make this observation exactly at 8:00 PM, it’s just a little bit easier to identify Uranus at around this time.
PAUL
Then put the moon just outside the edge of the binoculars’ field of view at the 4:30 position.
RACHEL
Uranus will be the star just inside the binoculars’ field of view at the 10:30 position.
PAUL
Uranus is a planet four times larger than the Earth.
RACHEL
Astronomers consider it to be an ice giant.
PAUL
Ice giants are planets that formed from lots of water and frozen gases in the outer solar system.
RACHEL
The atmospheres of ice giants are richer in gases like methane than the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn.
PAUL
A day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, so not much shorter than a day on Earth.
RACHEL
However, a year on Uranus lasts 84 years.
PAUL
Its long year means that since its discovery in 1781, Uranus hasn’t even made three trips around the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 29th and 30th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On the 29th, stargazers will find the planet Uranus only seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
That’s so close that binoculars can easily locate the solar system’s 7th planet.
PAUL
To see Uranus, stargazers should take a pair of binoculars to a location with dark skies.
RACHEL
They won’t need to leave town, but they should at least get out from under street lights.
PAUL
Now Uranus will look like a star, so stargazers will need to take their time verifying the planet.
RACHEL
Fortunately, Uranus will be the brightest star in the area, so that won’t be too difficult.
PAUL
Stargazers should start by pointing their binoculars at the moon at around 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Don’t worry if you can’t make this observation exactly at 8:00 PM, it’s just a little bit easier to identify Uranus at around this time.
PAUL
Then put the moon just outside the edge of the binoculars’ field of view at the 4:30 position.
RACHEL
Uranus will be the star just inside the binoculars’ field of view at the 10:30 position.
PAUL
Uranus is a planet four times larger than the Earth.
RACHEL
Astronomers consider it to be an ice giant.
PAUL
Ice giants are planets that formed from lots of water and frozen gases in the outer solar system.
RACHEL
The atmospheres of ice giants are richer in gases like methane than the gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn.
PAUL
A day on Uranus lasts 17 hours, so not much shorter than a day on Earth.
RACHEL
However, a year on Uranus lasts 84 years.
PAUL
Its long year means that since its discovery in 1781, Uranus hasn’t even made three trips around the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 27th and 28th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers will find Mars just three degrees from the star Spica.
PAUL
Mars has just rounded the far side of the sun, from Earth’s perspective.
RACHEL
This summer it will blaze as a bright reddish-orange beacon.
PAUL
Meanwhile, stargazers will find Mars right now if they look in the low southeast at 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
The first star you’ll see is pure white Spica; the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
PAUL
Then to the upper left of Spica and pretty close to it is a fainter, slightly yellowish star.
RACHEL
That star is Mars.
PAUL
Mars is too far away to show any detail in telescopes, let alone binoculars.
RACHEL
The casual stargazer can take pleasure in knowing they’re looking at a world half the size of Earth.
PAUL
And one with an atmosphere only 1% as dense as ours.
RACHEL
However, this may be a future second home for our near descendants.
PAUL
One thing they’ll have to do is beef up the little planet’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
That way it can be breathable and comfortably warm.
PAUL
The process is called terraforming.
RACHEL
And it could require that we crash icy comets into the planet at regular intervals.
PAUL
Or dump massive quantities of chlorofluorocarbons into the Martian atmosphere.
RACHEL
That sounds like a lot of ethical questions I don’t want to even try to unpack.
PAUL
However, one day our ancestors might know a red Mars, a green Mars, and finally a blue Mars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of November.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Early risers will find Mars just three degrees from the star Spica.
PAUL
Mars has just rounded the far side of the sun, from Earth’s perspective.
RACHEL
This summer it will blaze as a bright reddish-orange beacon.
PAUL
Meanwhile, stargazers will find Mars right now if they look in the low southeast at 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
The first star you’ll see is pure white Spica; the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
PAUL
Then to the upper left of Spica and pretty close to it is a fainter, slightly yellowish star.
RACHEL
That star is Mars.
PAUL
Mars is too far away to show any detail in telescopes, let alone binoculars.
RACHEL
The casual stargazer can take pleasure in knowing they’re looking at a world half the size of Earth.
PAUL
And one with an atmosphere only 1% as dense as ours.
RACHEL
However, this may be a future second home for our near descendants.
PAUL
One thing they’ll have to do is beef up the little planet’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
That way it can be breathable and comfortably warm.
PAUL
The process is called terraforming.
RACHEL
And it could require that we crash icy comets into the planet at regular intervals.
PAUL
Or dump massive quantities of chlorofluorocarbons into the Martian atmosphere.
RACHEL
That sounds like a lot of ethical questions I don’t want to even try to unpack.
PAUL
However, one day our ancestors might know a red Mars, a green Mars, and finally a blue Mars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of November.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 24th, 25th, and 26th.
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mercury’s a tiny little squirt as far as planets go.
PAUL
Yep, and it hardly ever appears in our sky.
RACHEL
This planet is only 50% wider than the moon.
PAUL
And it orbits the sun at only 1/3rd the distance that Earth does.
RACHEL
So when Mercury does manage to get far enough away for the sun for us to see, it’s a rare opportunity.
PAUL
Such are the nights around 24th.
RACHEL
Even better, Mercury will have company, Saturn.
PAUL
To see Mercury, look in the low southwest at 6:00 PM on the 24th.
RACHEL
Mercury will be the brightest star really close to the horizon.
PAUL
And Saturn will be half as bright and about three times higher.
RACHEL
Stargazers will probably want to use their binoculars to find elusive little Mercury.
PAUL
But please, don’t start scanning the horizon with them until after the sun has set.
RACHEL
When you do find Mercury, you’ll be looking at a world that looks a lot like the moon on account of its craters.
PAUL
Mercury is so close to the sun that surface temperatures can reach 800 degrees.
RACHEL
Ouch! That’s hot enough to melt lead!
PAUL
Then at night, the temperature drops down to nearly 300 degrees below zero.
RACHEL
Oh well, I guess I won’t recommend Mercury as a vacation spot based on its climate.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th and 26th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mercury’s a tiny little squirt as far as planets go.
PAUL
Yep, and it hardly ever appears in our sky.
RACHEL
This planet is only 50% wider than the moon.
PAUL
And it orbits the sun at only 1/3rd the distance that Earth does.
RACHEL
So when Mercury does manage to get far enough away for the sun for us to see, it’s a rare opportunity.
PAUL
Such are the nights around 24th.
RACHEL
Even better, Mercury will have company, Saturn.
PAUL
To see Mercury, look in the low southwest at 6:00 PM on the 24th.
RACHEL
Mercury will be the brightest star really close to the horizon.
PAUL
And Saturn will be half as bright and about three times higher.
RACHEL
Stargazers will probably want to use their binoculars to find elusive little Mercury.
PAUL
But please, don’t start scanning the horizon with them until after the sun has set.
RACHEL
When you do find Mercury, you’ll be looking at a world that looks a lot like the moon on account of its craters.
PAUL
Mercury is so close to the sun that surface temperatures can reach 800 degrees.
RACHEL
Ouch! That’s hot enough to melt lead!
PAUL
Then at night, the temperature drops down to nearly 300 degrees below zero.
RACHEL
Oh well, I guess I won’t recommend Mercury as a vacation spot based on its climate.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th and 26th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 22nd and 23rd.
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On our last show, we mentioned that the moon was first visited by spacecraft in 1959 and Saturn was first visited in 1979.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft to visit the moon was Luna 1, a Soviet spacecraft.
PAUL
Luna 1 was humanity’s eighth attempt to send a spacecraft to the moon.
RACHEL
The previous seven either didn’t reach space because the booster rocket exploded...
PAUL
...or because the booster stage performed so poorly that the spacecraft just arced up and then crashed back into Earth’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
Luna 1 was not a completely successful mission, however.
PAUL
That’s right; Soviets engineers intended it to impact the moon.
RACHEL
And instead, it missed the moon by 3,700 miles, or by a distance greater than the moon’s diameter.
PAUL
Saturn on the other hand, had a completely successful first visit.
RACHEL
It was by the American spacecraft Pioneer 11 on September 1st, 1979.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 was the second spacecraft to visit Jupiter and the second to escape the solar system.
RACHEL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory sent Pioneer 11 to Saturn as a trail blazer.
PAUL
Because it was unknown if the soon to arrive Voyager 1 would survive its passage around Saturn.
RACHEL
So after passing Jupiter, Pioneer 11 was send on a trajectory to closely approach Saturn.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 flew past Saturn at a distance of 12,500 miles and it survived.
RACHEL
And that successful encounter gave mission controllers confidence that Voyager 1 would fly past Saturn safely.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
On our last show, we mentioned that the moon was first visited by spacecraft in 1959 and Saturn was first visited in 1979.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft to visit the moon was Luna 1, a Soviet spacecraft.
PAUL
Luna 1 was humanity’s eighth attempt to send a spacecraft to the moon.
RACHEL
The previous seven either didn’t reach space because the booster rocket exploded...
PAUL
...or because the booster stage performed so poorly that the spacecraft just arced up and then crashed back into Earth’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
Luna 1 was not a completely successful mission, however.
PAUL
That’s right; Soviets engineers intended it to impact the moon.
RACHEL
And instead, it missed the moon by 3,700 miles, or by a distance greater than the moon’s diameter.
PAUL
Saturn on the other hand, had a completely successful first visit.
RACHEL
It was by the American spacecraft Pioneer 11 on September 1st, 1979.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 was the second spacecraft to visit Jupiter and the second to escape the solar system.
RACHEL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory sent Pioneer 11 to Saturn as a trail blazer.
PAUL
Because it was unknown if the soon to arrive Voyager 1 would survive its passage around Saturn.
RACHEL
So after passing Jupiter, Pioneer 11 was send on a trajectory to closely approach Saturn.
PAUL
Pioneer 11 flew past Saturn at a distance of 12,500 miles and it survived.
RACHEL
And that successful encounter gave mission controllers confidence that Voyager 1 would fly past Saturn safely.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 20th and 21st.
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey moon watchers, the moon reappears on the evening of the 20th.
PAUL
It’s a very thin crescent that evening, so it might be difficult to see.
RACHEL
Especially if there are any obstructions on your southwestern horizon.
PAUL
Helping you find the moon will be Saturn.
RACHEL
So first find Saturn; it’s the faintly tinted star in the low southwest at 6:15 PM.
PAUL
Once you’ve located Saturn, then look for the moon just to the upper right of Saturn.
RACHEL
The moon is only two days old, so it’s younger than most people have ever seen it.
PAUL
That also means you won’t see much detail along the lunar limb in your binoculars.
RACHEL
However, a small telescope might show some craters.
PAUL
What craters are visible will be turned nearly edge-on.
RACHEL
So they’ll appear as very thin ovals.
PAUL
You might be able to detect earthshine on the 20th, if you can see the moon in dark enough skies.
RACHEL
If you don’t see earthshine on the 20th, then try again each evening starting on the 21st.
PAUL
The moon and Saturn are an interesting study in contrasts.
RACHEL
The moon is one-quarter the diameter of Earth and Saturn is nine larger than Earth.
PAUL
The moon is a dry rocky world and Saturn is a gas giant.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft visit to the moon occurred in 1959 and the first spacecraft visit to Saturn occurred in 1979.
PAUL
And of course, Saturn as a beautiful ring whereas the moon has just craters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of November.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
RACHEL
...and Paul.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey moon watchers, the moon reappears on the evening of the 20th.
PAUL
It’s a very thin crescent that evening, so it might be difficult to see.
RACHEL
Especially if there are any obstructions on your southwestern horizon.
PAUL
Helping you find the moon will be Saturn.
RACHEL
So first find Saturn; it’s the faintly tinted star in the low southwest at 6:15 PM.
PAUL
Once you’ve located Saturn, then look for the moon just to the upper right of Saturn.
RACHEL
The moon is only two days old, so it’s younger than most people have ever seen it.
PAUL
That also means you won’t see much detail along the lunar limb in your binoculars.
RACHEL
However, a small telescope might show some craters.
PAUL
What craters are visible will be turned nearly edge-on.
RACHEL
So they’ll appear as very thin ovals.
PAUL
You might be able to detect earthshine on the 20th, if you can see the moon in dark enough skies.
RACHEL
If you don’t see earthshine on the 20th, then try again each evening starting on the 21st.
PAUL
The moon and Saturn are an interesting study in contrasts.
RACHEL
The moon is one-quarter the diameter of Earth and Saturn is nine larger than Earth.
PAUL
The moon is a dry rocky world and Saturn is a gas giant.
RACHEL
The first spacecraft visit to the moon occurred in 1959 and the first spacecraft visit to Saturn occurred in 1979.
PAUL
And of course, Saturn as a beautiful ring whereas the moon has just craters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of November.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
RACHEL
...and Paul.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 17th, 18th, and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 17th, 18th, and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey Idaho, let’s go meteor watching this week!
PAUL
The Leonid meteor shower is now at its peak intensity.
RACHEL
This meteor shower consists of cometary dust that’s slamming into the atmosphere at 44 miles per second.
PAUL
That’s faster than most other meteors and it results in a tremendously high kinetic energy for meteoroids.
RACHEL
Therefore, it’s not surprising that the largest Leonid meteoroids can result in spectacularly bright meteors.
PAUL
Look for Leonid meteors as they radiate from the low east after midnight.
RACHEL
And be sure to dress warmly.
PAUL
Stargazers could see upwards of 20 meteors per hour from this shower.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
Which is one reason why the Leonids are such a great meteor shower this year.
RACHEL
The new moon means that the moon is passing too close to the sun for us to see it.
PAUL
The moon’s super thin crescent shape and location in the daytime sky makes it’s all but invisible.
RACHEL
Even though it is hiding in plain sight.
PAUL
With impossibly fantastic eyes, you would see the moon five degrees above the sun on the 18th.
RACHEL
Which is ten times the apparent diameter of the sun.
PAUL
So even when the moon is new, it’s still located in the sky.
RACHEL
It’s just too faint to see against an even brighter sky.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 17th, 18th, and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey Idaho, let’s go meteor watching this week!
PAUL
The Leonid meteor shower is now at its peak intensity.
RACHEL
This meteor shower consists of cometary dust that’s slamming into the atmosphere at 44 miles per second.
PAUL
That’s faster than most other meteors and it results in a tremendously high kinetic energy for meteoroids.
RACHEL
Therefore, it’s not surprising that the largest Leonid meteoroids can result in spectacularly bright meteors.
PAUL
Look for Leonid meteors as they radiate from the low east after midnight.
RACHEL
And be sure to dress warmly.
PAUL
Stargazers could see upwards of 20 meteors per hour from this shower.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
Which is one reason why the Leonids are such a great meteor shower this year.
RACHEL
The new moon means that the moon is passing too close to the sun for us to see it.
PAUL
The moon’s super thin crescent shape and location in the daytime sky makes it’s all but invisible.
RACHEL
Even though it is hiding in plain sight.
PAUL
With impossibly fantastic eyes, you would see the moon five degrees above the sun on the 18th.
RACHEL
Which is ten times the apparent diameter of the sun.
PAUL
So even when the moon is new, it’s still located in the sky.
RACHEL
It’s just too faint to see against an even brighter sky.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th, 18th, and 19th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 15th and 16th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 15th and 16th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Mars is currently located on the other side of the solar system.
RACHEL
Since it’s such a small planet, this means it doesn’t appear very bright and might be difficult to locate.
PAUL
Its color, which is pale orange, doesn’t help much when it’s so faint.
RACHEL
In fact, it’s quite easily mistaken for a star right now.
PAUL
So it’s nice of the moon to help stargazers locate this little world.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 15th, look for the very thin crescent moon in the low east-southeast.
PAUL
Mars is the yellowish-orange star to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
And the brighter white star below the moon is the star Spica.
PAUL
The distance between Earth and Mars will decrease until mid-summer next year.
RACHEL
That’s when Mars will be an unmistakable reddish-orange beacon in our sky.
PAUL
Mars is not the only planet to look for.
RACHEL
Look of for the moon on the morning of the 16th when it will stand just above Jupiter and Venus.
PAUL
The moon will be an incredibly thin crescent, so you might need binoculars to see it at around 8:00 AM.
RACHEL
However, brilliant Venus will still be easy to spot below the moon.
PAUL
Jupiter will glow with a cooler light between Venus and the moon.
RACHEL
While your binoculars are handy, take a quick peek at Jupiter.
PAUL
You’ll see a star to the planet’s upper right.
RACHEL
That’s Ganymede, the largest satellite in the solar system.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th and 16th of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 15th and 16th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Mars is currently located on the other side of the solar system.
RACHEL
Since it’s such a small planet, this means it doesn’t appear very bright and might be difficult to locate.
PAUL
Its color, which is pale orange, doesn’t help much when it’s so faint.
RACHEL
In fact, it’s quite easily mistaken for a star right now.
PAUL
So it’s nice of the moon to help stargazers locate this little world.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 15th, look for the very thin crescent moon in the low east-southeast.
PAUL
Mars is the yellowish-orange star to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
And the brighter white star below the moon is the star Spica.
PAUL
The distance between Earth and Mars will decrease until mid-summer next year.
RACHEL
That’s when Mars will be an unmistakable reddish-orange beacon in our sky.
PAUL
Mars is not the only planet to look for.
RACHEL
Look of for the moon on the morning of the 16th when it will stand just above Jupiter and Venus.
PAUL
The moon will be an incredibly thin crescent, so you might need binoculars to see it at around 8:00 AM.
RACHEL
However, brilliant Venus will still be easy to spot below the moon.
PAUL
Jupiter will glow with a cooler light between Venus and the moon.
RACHEL
While your binoculars are handy, take a quick peek at Jupiter.
PAUL
You’ll see a star to the planet’s upper right.
RACHEL
That’s Ganymede, the largest satellite in the solar system.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th and 16th of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 13th and 14th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Venus and Jupiter are in the process of switching places.
PAUL
Venus has been the Morning Star for months now.
RACHEL
Jupiter was an evening object last summer.
PAUL
At the end of summer, Jupiter approached too close to the sun for Idahoans to see.
RACHEL
Actually, the fault was with Earth, and not in our stars.
PAUL
That’s because Earth travels much faster as it orbits the sun.
RACHEL
So from our perspective, we left Jupiter in the dust.
PAUL
Or at least the sun’s glare.
RACHEL
Now that Jupiter has rounded the sun, it’s reappeared in our morning sky.
PAUL
Again, it’s really due to Earth’s orbital speed being so fast that we’re gaining on Jupiter again.
RACHEL
Since Venus orbits the sun faster than Earth, we can’t keep up.
PAUL
Which makes Venus slowly sink lower and lower in our morning sky.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 13th you’ll see Jupiter just a third of a degree away from Venus.
PAUL
One third of a degree is less than the apparent diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Or less than 1/20th of a binoculars’ field of view.
PAUL
Since they’re so close, how can a stargazer tell one apart from the other?
RACHEL
Easy, Venus will appear much brighter than Jupiter.
PAUL
Keep an eye on this pair; they’re moving rapidly relative to each other.
RACHEL
That means each morning you’ll easily see the increasing distance between these two planets.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 13th and 14th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Venus and Jupiter are in the process of switching places.
PAUL
Venus has been the Morning Star for months now.
RACHEL
Jupiter was an evening object last summer.
PAUL
At the end of summer, Jupiter approached too close to the sun for Idahoans to see.
RACHEL
Actually, the fault was with Earth, and not in our stars.
PAUL
That’s because Earth travels much faster as it orbits the sun.
RACHEL
So from our perspective, we left Jupiter in the dust.
PAUL
Or at least the sun’s glare.
RACHEL
Now that Jupiter has rounded the sun, it’s reappeared in our morning sky.
PAUL
Again, it’s really due to Earth’s orbital speed being so fast that we’re gaining on Jupiter again.
RACHEL
Since Venus orbits the sun faster than Earth, we can’t keep up.
PAUL
Which makes Venus slowly sink lower and lower in our morning sky.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 13th you’ll see Jupiter just a third of a degree away from Venus.
PAUL
One third of a degree is less than the apparent diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Or less than 1/20th of a binoculars’ field of view.
PAUL
Since they’re so close, how can a stargazer tell one apart from the other?
RACHEL
Easy, Venus will appear much brighter than Jupiter.
PAUL
Keep an eye on this pair; they’re moving rapidly relative to each other.
RACHEL
That means each morning you’ll easily see the increasing distance between these two planets.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th and 14th of November.
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.
Monday, November 6, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 10th, 11th, and 12th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 10th, 11th, and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches the last quarter phase on the 10th.
RACHEL
That means it’s a great time for stargazers to take in a little moon watching.
PAUL
The only negative is that they’ll need to go outside after midnight.
RACHEL
So perhaps stargazers ought to moon watch a few minutes before leaving for work.
PAUL
Concentrate your attention along the terminator, or boundary between the lunar day and night.
RACHEL
That’s where the morning shadows will make lunar features their most visible.
PAUL
Then take another look at the moon on the morning of Saturday the 11th.
RACHEL
That morning, stargazers will see a bright star just to the moon’s left.
PAUL
The star is named Regulus and it’s the brightest of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
The moon is approaching Regulus, but daylight will prevent Idaho stargazers from seeing the moon occult this star.
PAUL
This next event you won’t miss because of daylight.
RACHEL
From now until the 15th, look in the low east-southeast for the astronomical dance of Venus and Jupiter.
PAUL
Venus is slowly approaching the sun, while Jupiter is rapidly rising higher each morning.
RACHEL
So over the next four days you’ll be able to watch Jupiter climb towards Venus.
PAUL
Then on the 13th, Jupiter will finally appear above Venus.
RACHEL
Jupiter is doing its best to become an evening object.
PAUL
While Venus is doing its best to hide behind the far side of the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 10th, 11th, and 12th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon reaches the last quarter phase on the 10th.
RACHEL
That means it’s a great time for stargazers to take in a little moon watching.
PAUL
The only negative is that they’ll need to go outside after midnight.
RACHEL
So perhaps stargazers ought to moon watch a few minutes before leaving for work.
PAUL
Concentrate your attention along the terminator, or boundary between the lunar day and night.
RACHEL
That’s where the morning shadows will make lunar features their most visible.
PAUL
Then take another look at the moon on the morning of Saturday the 11th.
RACHEL
That morning, stargazers will see a bright star just to the moon’s left.
PAUL
The star is named Regulus and it’s the brightest of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
The moon is approaching Regulus, but daylight will prevent Idaho stargazers from seeing the moon occult this star.
PAUL
This next event you won’t miss because of daylight.
RACHEL
From now until the 15th, look in the low east-southeast for the astronomical dance of Venus and Jupiter.
PAUL
Venus is slowly approaching the sun, while Jupiter is rapidly rising higher each morning.
RACHEL
So over the next four days you’ll be able to watch Jupiter climb towards Venus.
PAUL
Then on the 13th, Jupiter will finally appear above Venus.
RACHEL
Jupiter is doing its best to become an evening object.
PAUL
While Venus is doing its best to hide behind the far side of the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th, 11th, and 12th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 8th and 9th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 8th and 9th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Astronomers announced one of the greatest astronomical discoveries last month.
PAUL
It was the detection of gravity waves from a collision of two orbiting neutron stars.
RACHEL
Neutron stars are the remains of very massive stars, but stars not quite massive enough to collapse into black holes.
PAUL
In 1915, Einstein predicted that the force of gravity takes energy away from massive orbiting objects.
RACHEL
So as these neutron stars continued to orbit each other, they lost kinetic energy and slowly spiraled into each other.
PAUL
Fortunately, gravity is so weak between Earth and the moon that their orbits shrink too slowly to detect, even after billions of years.
RACHEL
The gravitational field between neutron stars is so powerful that it shrunk their orbits quite quickly compared to the lifetime of a star.
PAUL
Rapidly orbiting neutron stars create an ever changing gravitational field.
RACHEL
And this changing gravitational field creates expanding wrinkles in space-time.
PAUL
All matter immersed within the passage space-time wrinkles vibrates back and forth almost like fishing bobs floating on water waves.
RACHEL
Scientists can measure those vibrations by measuring the distances between mirrors inside a vacuum.
PAUL
Those vibrations are tiny by the time they reach Earth, in fact, far less than the width of an atom.
RACHEL
But a device called an interferometer can detect vibrations that small.
PAUL
The detection of gravity waves last August told astronomers where to aim their telescopes before the light of the collision reached Earth.
RACHEL
Which is the first time astronomers have observed an astronomical event using both the electromagnetic spectrum and gravity.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th and 9th of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 8th and 9th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Astronomers announced one of the greatest astronomical discoveries last month.
PAUL
It was the detection of gravity waves from a collision of two orbiting neutron stars.
RACHEL
Neutron stars are the remains of very massive stars, but stars not quite massive enough to collapse into black holes.
PAUL
In 1915, Einstein predicted that the force of gravity takes energy away from massive orbiting objects.
RACHEL
So as these neutron stars continued to orbit each other, they lost kinetic energy and slowly spiraled into each other.
PAUL
Fortunately, gravity is so weak between Earth and the moon that their orbits shrink too slowly to detect, even after billions of years.
RACHEL
The gravitational field between neutron stars is so powerful that it shrunk their orbits quite quickly compared to the lifetime of a star.
PAUL
Rapidly orbiting neutron stars create an ever changing gravitational field.
RACHEL
And this changing gravitational field creates expanding wrinkles in space-time.
PAUL
All matter immersed within the passage space-time wrinkles vibrates back and forth almost like fishing bobs floating on water waves.
RACHEL
Scientists can measure those vibrations by measuring the distances between mirrors inside a vacuum.
PAUL
Those vibrations are tiny by the time they reach Earth, in fact, far less than the width of an atom.
RACHEL
But a device called an interferometer can detect vibrations that small.
PAUL
The detection of gravity waves last August told astronomers where to aim their telescopes before the light of the collision reached Earth.
RACHEL
Which is the first time astronomers have observed an astronomical event using both the electromagnetic spectrum and gravity.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th and 9th of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 6th and 7th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Sixty years ago on the 3rd, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 into orbit.
RACHEL
This was a painful shot to American pride, as the spacecraft weighed 1,100 pounds.
PAUL
Which was over 340 times heavier than America’s planned first satellite, Vanguard 1.
RACHEL
The satellite’s weight was evidence that the Soviets had the capability to launch nuclear warheads to the United States.
PAUL
Sputnik 2 sent several additional messages to the world.
RACHEL
First, that the Soviet Union was capable of sending more satellites into orbit than the US.
PAUL
Second, they could launch heavier satellites than Sputnik 1.
RACHEL
And finally, they could send a passenger into space.
PAUL
The passenger in this case was a dog named Laika.
RACHEL
So why did the Soviets launch a dog into space?
PAUL
Well, Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev was delighted by the world’s response to his country’s launch of the first satellite.
RACHEL
So he insisted on a second satellite launch to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution.
PAUL
And the second launch was to be more impressive than the first.
RACHEL
This gave his chief rocket designer, Korolev only a little over a month to prepare.
PAUL
To speed up the design, Korolev used a backup Sputnik 1 and a high altitude chamber used to launch dogs on suborbital sounding rockets.
RACHEL
Sputnik 2 safely carried Laika into Earth orbit, but things went badly afterwards.
PAUL
The satellite’s system of thermal protection didn’t operate properly and Laika died from overheating.
RACHEL
Poor Laika only lived for four orbits, or for six hours in Earth orbit.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Sixty years ago on the 3rd, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 into orbit.
RACHEL
This was a painful shot to American pride, as the spacecraft weighed 1,100 pounds.
PAUL
Which was over 340 times heavier than America’s planned first satellite, Vanguard 1.
RACHEL
The satellite’s weight was evidence that the Soviets had the capability to launch nuclear warheads to the United States.
PAUL
Sputnik 2 sent several additional messages to the world.
RACHEL
First, that the Soviet Union was capable of sending more satellites into orbit than the US.
PAUL
Second, they could launch heavier satellites than Sputnik 1.
RACHEL
And finally, they could send a passenger into space.
PAUL
The passenger in this case was a dog named Laika.
RACHEL
So why did the Soviets launch a dog into space?
PAUL
Well, Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev was delighted by the world’s response to his country’s launch of the first satellite.
RACHEL
So he insisted on a second satellite launch to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Soviet Revolution.
PAUL
And the second launch was to be more impressive than the first.
RACHEL
This gave his chief rocket designer, Korolev only a little over a month to prepare.
PAUL
To speed up the design, Korolev used a backup Sputnik 1 and a high altitude chamber used to launch dogs on suborbital sounding rockets.
RACHEL
Sputnik 2 safely carried Laika into Earth orbit, but things went badly afterwards.
PAUL
The satellite’s system of thermal protection didn’t operate properly and Laika died from overheating.
RACHEL
Poor Laika only lived for four orbits, or for six hours in Earth orbit.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of November.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 30, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 3rd, 4th, and 5th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 3rd, 4th, and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Venus appears next to the star Spica on the morning of the 3rd.
PAUL
To find Venus and Spica, look in the low east at around 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
Venus will be brilliant, so you can’t miss seeing it.
PAUL
Spica will be the fainter star to the right of Venus.
RACHEL
The two have nearly the same color, but dramatically different brightness.
PAUL
Astronomers call the brightness of an astronomical object its magnitude.
RACHEL
In astronomical terms, Venus is magnitude negative four and Spica is only magnitude one.
PAUL
So you can see that brighter stars as having a lower or more negative magnitude than fainter stars.
RACHEL
Over the next two nights, the moon drifts across the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
And on the 5th, it passes so close to the star Aldebaran that you might need binoculars to separate it from the moon’s glare.
RACHEL
The Hyades appears as a large star cluster in our sky.
PAUL
But it’s not packed as densely with stars as some other star clusters.
RACHEL
Stargazers can usually detect about two dozen stars in this star cluster through binoculars.
PAUL
While you have your binoculars out, take a peek at the moon on the 9th.
RACHEL
You’ll see Aldebaran a little to the right of the moon.
PAUL
Unfortunately, the moon has already passed its closest to the moon.
RACHEL
So the distance between the moon and Aldebaran will only increase though out the night.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of November.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 3rd, 4th, and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Venus appears next to the star Spica on the morning of the 3rd.
PAUL
To find Venus and Spica, look in the low east at around 6:00 AM.
RACHEL
Venus will be brilliant, so you can’t miss seeing it.
PAUL
Spica will be the fainter star to the right of Venus.
RACHEL
The two have nearly the same color, but dramatically different brightness.
PAUL
Astronomers call the brightness of an astronomical object its magnitude.
RACHEL
In astronomical terms, Venus is magnitude negative four and Spica is only magnitude one.
PAUL
So you can see that brighter stars as having a lower or more negative magnitude than fainter stars.
RACHEL
Over the next two nights, the moon drifts across the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
And on the 5th, it passes so close to the star Aldebaran that you might need binoculars to separate it from the moon’s glare.
RACHEL
The Hyades appears as a large star cluster in our sky.
PAUL
But it’s not packed as densely with stars as some other star clusters.
RACHEL
Stargazers can usually detect about two dozen stars in this star cluster through binoculars.
PAUL
While you have your binoculars out, take a peek at the moon on the 9th.
RACHEL
You’ll see Aldebaran a little to the right of the moon.
PAUL
Unfortunately, the moon has already passed its closest to the moon.
RACHEL
So the distance between the moon and Aldebaran will only increase though out the night.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of November.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for November 1st and 2nd
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 1st and 2nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus is five degrees above the moon on the 2nd.
RACHEL
The seventh planet was discovered in 1781 by astronomer William Herschel.
PAUL
And it was the first planet to be discovered by telescope.
RACHEL
However, Uranus is often faintly visible without a telescope.
PAUL
The emphasis here is on the word faintly.
RACHEL
Fortunately, Uranus is approaching opposition, so it’s a bit brighter than usual.
PAUL
Still, a pair of binoculars will make it much easier to see this planet.
RACHEL
To find Uranus, point your binoculars at the moon after it gets dark on the 2nd.
PAUL
Then look five degrees above the moon and slightly left.
RACHEL
Recall that most binoculars have field of view equal to 7.5 degrees.
PAUL
Which means Uranus will appear 2/3rds of the way above the moon.
RACHEL
Or put another way, Uranus is ten times the moon’s apparent diameter above it.
PAUL
If you see a warped rectangle of stars just below what you think is Uranus, then you’ll know you’re seeing Uranus.
RACHEL
Especially if only one of the star in the rectangle is as bright as Uranus.
PAUL
And the other three are slightly fainter.
RACHEL
Through binoculars, Uranus appears star-like.
PAUL
But it’s four times larger than Earth...
RACHEL
...or the third largest planet in the solar system.
PAUL
And it’s 18 times more distant from the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st and 2nd of November.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 1st and 2nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus is five degrees above the moon on the 2nd.
RACHEL
The seventh planet was discovered in 1781 by astronomer William Herschel.
PAUL
And it was the first planet to be discovered by telescope.
RACHEL
However, Uranus is often faintly visible without a telescope.
PAUL
The emphasis here is on the word faintly.
RACHEL
Fortunately, Uranus is approaching opposition, so it’s a bit brighter than usual.
PAUL
Still, a pair of binoculars will make it much easier to see this planet.
RACHEL
To find Uranus, point your binoculars at the moon after it gets dark on the 2nd.
PAUL
Then look five degrees above the moon and slightly left.
RACHEL
Recall that most binoculars have field of view equal to 7.5 degrees.
PAUL
Which means Uranus will appear 2/3rds of the way above the moon.
RACHEL
Or put another way, Uranus is ten times the moon’s apparent diameter above it.
PAUL
If you see a warped rectangle of stars just below what you think is Uranus, then you’ll know you’re seeing Uranus.
RACHEL
Especially if only one of the star in the rectangle is as bright as Uranus.
PAUL
And the other three are slightly fainter.
RACHEL
Through binoculars, Uranus appears star-like.
PAUL
But it’s four times larger than Earth...
RACHEL
...or the third largest planet in the solar system.
PAUL
And it’s 18 times more distant from the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st and 2nd of November.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 30th and 31st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 30th and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey, there’s a bright star below and to the right of the moon on the 30th.
PAUL
That star’s name is Fomalhaut and its 25 light years away.
RACHEL
Astronomers have discovered that Fomalhaut emits more infrared radiation than other stars like it.
PAUL
Turns out, that excess infrared is from a ring of dust surrounding the star.
RACHEL
Ring of dust? Well, that sounds an awful like the disk of dust and gas that stars form from.
PAUL
Exactly. Fomalhaut is so young that it’s still surrounded in its birth cocoon.
RACHEL
Even more interesting is that its dusty ring is forming planets.
PAUL
And one of those planets has been observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.
RACHEL
We said Fomalhaut is young, but what does young mean to a star?
PAUL
In Fomalhaut’s case, it means it’s only on the order of 300 million years old.
RACHEL
Three hundred million years ago, much of Earth was covered in forests that would eventually create most of our coal deposits.
PAUL
And life on Earth was mostly insects and amphibians.
RACHEL
I wonder if Fomalhaut will be around long enough for life on its planets to evolve into something similar.
PAUL
The problem is that stars having twice the mass of sun only live for 1.7 billion years before turning into a red giant.
RACHEL
When Earth was 1.7 billion years old, the only life on it was single cell in form.
PAUL
And none of it is believed to have inhabited the surface.
RACHEL
So poor Fomalhaut, none of its planetary lifeforms will ever be aware of this star.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 30th and 31st of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 30th and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Hey, there’s a bright star below and to the right of the moon on the 30th.
PAUL
That star’s name is Fomalhaut and its 25 light years away.
RACHEL
Astronomers have discovered that Fomalhaut emits more infrared radiation than other stars like it.
PAUL
Turns out, that excess infrared is from a ring of dust surrounding the star.
RACHEL
Ring of dust? Well, that sounds an awful like the disk of dust and gas that stars form from.
PAUL
Exactly. Fomalhaut is so young that it’s still surrounded in its birth cocoon.
RACHEL
Even more interesting is that its dusty ring is forming planets.
PAUL
And one of those planets has been observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.
RACHEL
We said Fomalhaut is young, but what does young mean to a star?
PAUL
In Fomalhaut’s case, it means it’s only on the order of 300 million years old.
RACHEL
Three hundred million years ago, much of Earth was covered in forests that would eventually create most of our coal deposits.
PAUL
And life on Earth was mostly insects and amphibians.
RACHEL
I wonder if Fomalhaut will be around long enough for life on its planets to evolve into something similar.
PAUL
The problem is that stars having twice the mass of sun only live for 1.7 billion years before turning into a red giant.
RACHEL
When Earth was 1.7 billion years old, the only life on it was single cell in form.
PAUL
And none of it is believed to have inhabited the surface.
RACHEL
So poor Fomalhaut, none of its planetary lifeforms will ever be aware of this star.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 30th and 31st of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 27th, 28th, and 29th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 27th, 28th, and 29th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On October 29th, 1998, John Glenn junior traveled back into Earth orbit onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
PAUL
This was the 92nd mission of the Space Transportation System, or STS.
RACHEL
And the 25th flight of Discovery.
PAUL
At 77 years old, Glenn is still the oldest person to travel into space.
RACHEL
However, John Glenn was no stranger to Earth orbit.
PAUL
That’s right. He was the first American to travel into orbit back on February 20th, 1962.
RACHEL
Glenn was actually the third American to travel into space.
PAUL
His two predecessors were Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom.
RACHEL
But the Mercury capsules of Shepard and Grissom were launched on top of the Redstone Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, or IRBM.
PAUL
Their Redstone boosters were modified with extended propellant tanks to increase their final velocity.
RACHEL
But the Redstone still didn’t have the energy to put a nearly 3,000 pound Mercury capsule into orbit.
PAUL
It took the more powerful Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM to give the Mercury capsule enough velocity to achieve orbit.
RACHEL
Glenn spent four and a half hours making three orbits of Earth in 1962.
PAUL
Before he was to slow his capsule down for reentry, technicians on the ground received distressing telemetry.
RACHEL
The telemetry indicated the possibly of a loose heat shield on Glenn’s capsule.
PAUL
Fortunately, it was a problem with a switch in contact with the heat shield and not the heat shield itself.
RACHEL
So John Glenn safely returned to Earth and became a true American hero.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th, 28th and 29th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 27th, 28th, and 29th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On October 29th, 1998, John Glenn junior traveled back into Earth orbit onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
PAUL
This was the 92nd mission of the Space Transportation System, or STS.
RACHEL
And the 25th flight of Discovery.
PAUL
At 77 years old, Glenn is still the oldest person to travel into space.
RACHEL
However, John Glenn was no stranger to Earth orbit.
PAUL
That’s right. He was the first American to travel into orbit back on February 20th, 1962.
RACHEL
Glenn was actually the third American to travel into space.
PAUL
His two predecessors were Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom.
RACHEL
But the Mercury capsules of Shepard and Grissom were launched on top of the Redstone Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, or IRBM.
PAUL
Their Redstone boosters were modified with extended propellant tanks to increase their final velocity.
RACHEL
But the Redstone still didn’t have the energy to put a nearly 3,000 pound Mercury capsule into orbit.
PAUL
It took the more powerful Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM to give the Mercury capsule enough velocity to achieve orbit.
RACHEL
Glenn spent four and a half hours making three orbits of Earth in 1962.
PAUL
Before he was to slow his capsule down for reentry, technicians on the ground received distressing telemetry.
RACHEL
The telemetry indicated the possibly of a loose heat shield on Glenn’s capsule.
PAUL
Fortunately, it was a problem with a switch in contact with the heat shield and not the heat shield itself.
RACHEL
So John Glenn safely returned to Earth and became a true American hero.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th, 28th and 29th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 25th and 26th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The center of the Milky Way appears to the moon’s right on the night of the 25th.
RACHEL
In this region of the sky, a stargazer with binoculars will be rewarded with views of little fuzzy clouds.
PAUL
Many of these are nebulae, a word from the Latin meaning fog.
RACHEL
But they’re not really heavenly fog banks.
PAUL
Nope, they’re actually giant glowing clouds of gas and dust.
RACHEL
How large, how about from one to a few hundred light years across?
PAUL
While telescopic images show them as dense clouds of dust and gas, they’re actually rather thin.
RACHEL
In fact, they’re better vacuums than we can create on Earth.
PAUL
A sugar cube sized sample of nebula would only contain a single hydrogen atom.
RACHEL
And a chunk of nebula the size of Earth would only weight around ten pounds.
PAUL
Nebulae glow because their gases are being excited to higher energy states by ultraviolet radiation from nearby stars.
RACHEL
The electrons in these excited atoms then return to their low energy state by emitting one or more photons of light.
PAUL
With so many atoms emitting light, rarefied nebulae can shine brightly enough for stargazers to see.
RACHEL
In most nebulae, there are regions of dust and gas that are collapsing under their own gravity.
PAUL
The result of the collapse will be the birth of a new star and possibly planets in a few million years time.
RACHEL
So search the region right on the moon on the 25th for tiny glowing clouds of dust and gas.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The center of the Milky Way appears to the moon’s right on the night of the 25th.
RACHEL
In this region of the sky, a stargazer with binoculars will be rewarded with views of little fuzzy clouds.
PAUL
Many of these are nebulae, a word from the Latin meaning fog.
RACHEL
But they’re not really heavenly fog banks.
PAUL
Nope, they’re actually giant glowing clouds of gas and dust.
RACHEL
How large, how about from one to a few hundred light years across?
PAUL
While telescopic images show them as dense clouds of dust and gas, they’re actually rather thin.
RACHEL
In fact, they’re better vacuums than we can create on Earth.
PAUL
A sugar cube sized sample of nebula would only contain a single hydrogen atom.
RACHEL
And a chunk of nebula the size of Earth would only weight around ten pounds.
PAUL
Nebulae glow because their gases are being excited to higher energy states by ultraviolet radiation from nearby stars.
RACHEL
The electrons in these excited atoms then return to their low energy state by emitting one or more photons of light.
PAUL
With so many atoms emitting light, rarefied nebulae can shine brightly enough for stargazers to see.
RACHEL
In most nebulae, there are regions of dust and gas that are collapsing under their own gravity.
PAUL
The result of the collapse will be the birth of a new star and possibly planets in a few million years time.
RACHEL
So search the region right on the moon on the 25th for tiny glowing clouds of dust and gas.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 23rd and 24th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 23rd and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The crescent moon resides within the center of the Milky Way on the evening of the 24th.
PAUL
This region of the sky points towards the center of our Galaxy.
RACHEL
Since this is the direction of the dense core of the Milky Way galaxy, it’s rich in stars.
PAUL
It’s also loaded with star clusters and nebulae.
RACHEL
There are two types of star clusters, galactic and globular.
PAUL
Galactic star clusters contain everywhere from hundreds to thousands of stars.
RACHEL
The stars within a single star cluster formed at roughly the same time from a single cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
And they tend to be young, only a few hundred millions years old.
RACHEL
Globular star clusters are the polar opposite.
PAUL
They’re several times larger than galactic star clusters and can contain up to a million stars.
RACHEL
And they tend to be old, as much as ten billion years old.
PAUL
Galactic star clusters are native to the Milky Way.
RACHEL
Globular star clusters on the other hand may be the cores of small galaxies captured by the Milky Way long ago.
PAUL
So on the night of the 24th, search above and below the moon with binoculars.
RACHEL
You’re looking for hazy spots mixes within the star clouds you’ll see in this region of the sky.
PAUL
Small irregularly shaped fuzzies with a scattering of stars are galactic star clusters.
RACHEL
Whereas round and tiny spots are most likely globular star clusters.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd and 24th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 23rd and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The crescent moon resides within the center of the Milky Way on the evening of the 24th.
PAUL
This region of the sky points towards the center of our Galaxy.
RACHEL
Since this is the direction of the dense core of the Milky Way galaxy, it’s rich in stars.
PAUL
It’s also loaded with star clusters and nebulae.
RACHEL
There are two types of star clusters, galactic and globular.
PAUL
Galactic star clusters contain everywhere from hundreds to thousands of stars.
RACHEL
The stars within a single star cluster formed at roughly the same time from a single cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
And they tend to be young, only a few hundred millions years old.
RACHEL
Globular star clusters are the polar opposite.
PAUL
They’re several times larger than galactic star clusters and can contain up to a million stars.
RACHEL
And they tend to be old, as much as ten billion years old.
PAUL
Galactic star clusters are native to the Milky Way.
RACHEL
Globular star clusters on the other hand may be the cores of small galaxies captured by the Milky Way long ago.
PAUL
So on the night of the 24th, search above and below the moon with binoculars.
RACHEL
You’re looking for hazy spots mixes within the star clouds you’ll see in this region of the sky.
PAUL
Small irregularly shaped fuzzies with a scattering of stars are galactic star clusters.
RACHEL
Whereas round and tiny spots are most likely globular star clusters.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd and 24th 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.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 20th, 21st, and 22nd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 20th, 21st, and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon returns to the evening sky on the 22nd.
PAUL
Look for a very thin crescent barely above the west-southwest horizon at 8:15.
RACHEL
Wait, what’s that pale star I see to the left of the moon?
PAUL
Why it’s Saturn, the solar system’s sixth planet.
RACHEL
Many listeners will recall Saturn was in the news last month.
PAUL
That’s because the Cassini spacecraft ended its mission by entering the planet’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
What a sad loss of a functioning spacecraft.
PAUL
It was necessary to prevent the school bus-sized spacecraft from possibly crashing into Titan or Enceladus in the future.
RACHEL
Before the arrival of Cassini, Titan was a cloud covered world with a mysterious surface.
PAUL
And Enceladus was a tiny icy world.
RACHEL
Because of Cassini, we now know that Titan is a world with a hydrological cycle and large seas of hydrocarbons.
PAUL
And that Enceladus has a liquid ocean beneath its frozen crust that produces geysers.
RACHEL
Because of the discoveries of Cassini, the possibly of finding new lifeforms in the solar system has increased.
PAUL
And for that reason, it’s important to protect these two moons from contamination by Cassini.
RACHEL
Therefore, the Jet Propulsion Lab targeted Cassini to fly into the atmosphere of Saturn.
PAUL
There it burned up like a meteor.
RACHEL
And that was an end fit for a world-class discoverer.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th, 21st, and 22nd 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 20th, 21st, and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon returns to the evening sky on the 22nd.
PAUL
Look for a very thin crescent barely above the west-southwest horizon at 8:15.
RACHEL
Wait, what’s that pale star I see to the left of the moon?
PAUL
Why it’s Saturn, the solar system’s sixth planet.
RACHEL
Many listeners will recall Saturn was in the news last month.
PAUL
That’s because the Cassini spacecraft ended its mission by entering the planet’s atmosphere.
RACHEL
What a sad loss of a functioning spacecraft.
PAUL
It was necessary to prevent the school bus-sized spacecraft from possibly crashing into Titan or Enceladus in the future.
RACHEL
Before the arrival of Cassini, Titan was a cloud covered world with a mysterious surface.
PAUL
And Enceladus was a tiny icy world.
RACHEL
Because of Cassini, we now know that Titan is a world with a hydrological cycle and large seas of hydrocarbons.
PAUL
And that Enceladus has a liquid ocean beneath its frozen crust that produces geysers.
RACHEL
Because of the discoveries of Cassini, the possibly of finding new lifeforms in the solar system has increased.
PAUL
And for that reason, it’s important to protect these two moons from contamination by Cassini.
RACHEL
Therefore, the Jet Propulsion Lab targeted Cassini to fly into the atmosphere of Saturn.
PAUL
There it burned up like a meteor.
RACHEL
And that was an end fit for a world-class discoverer.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th, 21st, and 22nd 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 18th and 19th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Mars and Venus had an encounter with the moon on the 17th.
RACHEL
These two planets are Earth’s closest neighbors.
PAUL
And prior to the Space Age, they were the topics of endless speculation.
RACHEL
Venus was always appeared as a shiny orb while Mars showed surface details through a telescope.
PAUL
Early astronomers were certain Venus was so bright on account of its perpetual cloud cover.
RACHEL
And once astronomer knew the distance to Venus, they could tell the planet was roughly the size of Earth.
PAUL
Several explanations for the cloud cover over Venus where proposed.
RACHEL
One explanation was that the clouds were covering a swampy Earth-like planet.
PAUL
Or that Venus might be an ocean planet filled with seltzer water.
RACHEL
Mars, astronomers determined, was smaller than Earth.
PAUL
And its greater distance from the sun meant it had a surface temperature colder than Earth’s.
RACHEL
The apparent changes in its surface features lead some to believe that the planet was cover in plant life.
PAUL
And that the surface changes were due to plants responding to the changing seasons.
RACHEL
All that changed in 1962 and 1964.
PAUL
On December 14th, 1962, the Mariner 2 spacecraft fly past Venus.
RACHEL
And on November 28th, 1964, Mariner 4 flew past Mars.
PAUL
We learned that Venus was indeed a hellishly hot world where no liquid water could exist.
RACHEL
And that Mars had an atmosphere too thin and too cold to support plant life.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Mars and Venus had an encounter with the moon on the 17th.
RACHEL
These two planets are Earth’s closest neighbors.
PAUL
And prior to the Space Age, they were the topics of endless speculation.
RACHEL
Venus was always appeared as a shiny orb while Mars showed surface details through a telescope.
PAUL
Early astronomers were certain Venus was so bright on account of its perpetual cloud cover.
RACHEL
And once astronomer knew the distance to Venus, they could tell the planet was roughly the size of Earth.
PAUL
Several explanations for the cloud cover over Venus where proposed.
RACHEL
One explanation was that the clouds were covering a swampy Earth-like planet.
PAUL
Or that Venus might be an ocean planet filled with seltzer water.
RACHEL
Mars, astronomers determined, was smaller than Earth.
PAUL
And its greater distance from the sun meant it had a surface temperature colder than Earth’s.
RACHEL
The apparent changes in its surface features lead some to believe that the planet was cover in plant life.
PAUL
And that the surface changes were due to plants responding to the changing seasons.
RACHEL
All that changed in 1962 and 1964.
PAUL
On December 14th, 1962, the Mariner 2 spacecraft fly past Venus.
RACHEL
And on November 28th, 1964, Mariner 4 flew past Mars.
PAUL
We learned that Venus was indeed a hellishly hot world where no liquid water could exist.
RACHEL
And that Mars had an atmosphere too thin and too cold to support plant life.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 16th and 17th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 16th and 17th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Earth’s two closest neighbors, Mars and Venus have a rendezvous with the moon on the 17th.
PAUL
This is a morning event and perfect for stargazers who leave for work before sunrise.
RACHEL
So look in the low east at around 6:45 AM for brilliant Venus.
PAUL
Or the Morning Star as many people like to call it.
RACHEL
Above Venus will be a very thin crescent moon.
PAUL
If the horizon is hazy with smoke, you might need binoculars to see the moon.
RACHEL
Mars will be the star above the moon.
PAUL
And we mean right above the moon.
RACHEL
It appears as a yellowish-orange star to the moon’s upper right.
PAUL
The angular distance between Venus, the moon, and Mars is 7 degrees.
RACHEL
This means stargazers can see all three astronomical bodies together in most 7X50 binoculars.
PAUL
The moon will be too thin to show any craters or maria.
RACHEL
And Venus is too close to the other side of the solar system.
PAUL
That means Venus is too small and to close to the full phase to show any shape.
RACHEL
Recall that Venus is racing ahead of Earth and Earth is catching up to Mars.
PAUL
So the angular distance between Venus and Mars will increase each morning.
RACHEL
Watch them for the next few weeks and you’ll see Venus appear closer to the horizon each morning.
PAUL
And you’ll see Mars higher and higher above the horizon.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th and 17th of October.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 16th and 17th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Earth’s two closest neighbors, Mars and Venus have a rendezvous with the moon on the 17th.
PAUL
This is a morning event and perfect for stargazers who leave for work before sunrise.
RACHEL
So look in the low east at around 6:45 AM for brilliant Venus.
PAUL
Or the Morning Star as many people like to call it.
RACHEL
Above Venus will be a very thin crescent moon.
PAUL
If the horizon is hazy with smoke, you might need binoculars to see the moon.
RACHEL
Mars will be the star above the moon.
PAUL
And we mean right above the moon.
RACHEL
It appears as a yellowish-orange star to the moon’s upper right.
PAUL
The angular distance between Venus, the moon, and Mars is 7 degrees.
RACHEL
This means stargazers can see all three astronomical bodies together in most 7X50 binoculars.
PAUL
The moon will be too thin to show any craters or maria.
RACHEL
And Venus is too close to the other side of the solar system.
PAUL
That means Venus is too small and to close to the full phase to show any shape.
RACHEL
Recall that Venus is racing ahead of Earth and Earth is catching up to Mars.
PAUL
So the angular distance between Venus and Mars will increase each morning.
RACHEL
Watch them for the next few weeks and you’ll see Venus appear closer to the horizon each morning.
PAUL
And you’ll see Mars higher and higher above the horizon.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th and 17th of October.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 9, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 13th, 14th, and 15th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 13th, 14th, and 15th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The Beehive star cluster and the star Regulus are the astronomical news makers for this episode of Idaho Skies.
RACHEL
So let’s start with the Beehive, which stargazers will find within a binocular view of the moon.
PAUL
This is an event for early risers, so stargazers will need to go outside at around 4:00 AM.
RACHEL
Aim your binoculars at the moon and then shift it to the right edge.
PAUL
The Beehive will then appear as a compact clump of stars a little inside of the left edge.
RACHEL
Now center your binoculars on the Beehive.
PAUL
As your eyes adapt to the absence of the moon, you might be able to see as many as two dozen stars.
RACHEL
The reason the Beehive appears so prominent is that it’s one of the nearest star clusters to the solar system.
PAUL
It’s also unusually rich in stars.
RACHEL
Next up is Regulus.
PAUL
The moon almost scrapes this bright star on the morning of the 15th.
RACHEL
To see this near occultation, go outside a short time before 4:00 AM.
PAUL
The star will be the bright star above the thin crescent moon.
RACHEL
Regulus, as you recall, is the brightest star of Leo the Lion.
PAUL
In fact, 140 times brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
Which is the reason that you can see this Regulus when its 77 light years from Earth.
PAUL
You would need binoculars to the see the sun from Regulus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th, 14th, and 15th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 13th, 14th, and 15th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The Beehive star cluster and the star Regulus are the astronomical news makers for this episode of Idaho Skies.
RACHEL
So let’s start with the Beehive, which stargazers will find within a binocular view of the moon.
PAUL
This is an event for early risers, so stargazers will need to go outside at around 4:00 AM.
RACHEL
Aim your binoculars at the moon and then shift it to the right edge.
PAUL
The Beehive will then appear as a compact clump of stars a little inside of the left edge.
RACHEL
Now center your binoculars on the Beehive.
PAUL
As your eyes adapt to the absence of the moon, you might be able to see as many as two dozen stars.
RACHEL
The reason the Beehive appears so prominent is that it’s one of the nearest star clusters to the solar system.
PAUL
It’s also unusually rich in stars.
RACHEL
Next up is Regulus.
PAUL
The moon almost scrapes this bright star on the morning of the 15th.
RACHEL
To see this near occultation, go outside a short time before 4:00 AM.
PAUL
The star will be the bright star above the thin crescent moon.
RACHEL
Regulus, as you recall, is the brightest star of Leo the Lion.
PAUL
In fact, 140 times brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
Which is the reason that you can see this Regulus when its 77 light years from Earth.
PAUL
You would need binoculars to the see the sun from Regulus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th, 14th, and 15th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 11th and 12th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Looking for Gemini?
PAUL
Stargazers will find the Twins to the left of the moon early morning of the 11th.
RACHEL
And above the moon the next day.
PAUL
Gemini appears as two parallel rows of stars in the low east.
RACHEL
The Twins appear horizontal now that they’re rising, but they’ll appear vertical when the set in the west.
PAUL
The twins’ names are Castor and Pollux.
RACHEL
The constellation is one of the original 48 constellations described in the 2nd century by astronomer Ptolemy.
PAUL
And it’s one of the constellations of the Zodiac.
RACHEL
Being a part of the Zodiac means the sun, moon, and planets occasionally pass through Gemini.
PAUL
The constellation is home to a bright star cluster called M-35.
RACHEL
M-35 is barely visible without optical aid under really dark skies.
PAUL
And much easier to see with binoculars even in less than stellar skies. Get it, stellar skies?
RACHEL
Um, yeah. Anyways, one of the better meteor showers appears to originate from Gemini.
PAUL
The shower is called the Geminids and its peak intensity is on the night of December 13th and 14th.
RACHEL
Fortunately, the moon will appear as a thin crescent on the night of the 13th.
PAUL
Meaning stargazers will see plenty of meteors from this stellar meteor shower in 2017. Get it?
RACHEL
Anyways, stargazers could see up to 120 meteors (per hour) from this shower.
PAUL
So keep listening and we’ll remind you about this shower on Idaho Skies.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 11th and 12th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Looking for Gemini?
PAUL
Stargazers will find the Twins to the left of the moon early morning of the 11th.
RACHEL
And above the moon the next day.
PAUL
Gemini appears as two parallel rows of stars in the low east.
RACHEL
The Twins appear horizontal now that they’re rising, but they’ll appear vertical when the set in the west.
PAUL
The twins’ names are Castor and Pollux.
RACHEL
The constellation is one of the original 48 constellations described in the 2nd century by astronomer Ptolemy.
PAUL
And it’s one of the constellations of the Zodiac.
RACHEL
Being a part of the Zodiac means the sun, moon, and planets occasionally pass through Gemini.
PAUL
The constellation is home to a bright star cluster called M-35.
RACHEL
M-35 is barely visible without optical aid under really dark skies.
PAUL
And much easier to see with binoculars even in less than stellar skies. Get it, stellar skies?
RACHEL
Um, yeah. Anyways, one of the better meteor showers appears to originate from Gemini.
PAUL
The shower is called the Geminids and its peak intensity is on the night of December 13th and 14th.
RACHEL
Fortunately, the moon will appear as a thin crescent on the night of the 13th.
PAUL
Meaning stargazers will see plenty of meteors from this stellar meteor shower in 2017. Get it?
RACHEL
Anyways, stargazers could see up to 120 meteors (per hour) from this shower.
PAUL
So keep listening and we’ll remind you about this shower on Idaho Skies.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th and 12th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 9th and 10th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 9th and 10th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon travels through the Hyades star cluster on the 9th.
RACHEL
So after it gets dark that night, aim your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the star cluster to the moon’s left.
RACHEL
The cluster consists of two bright branches of stars.
PAUL
The moon and Hyades star cluster will fill your binoculars.
RACHEL
The Hyades represents the face of Taurus the Bull and is the star cluster closest to the solar system.
PAUL
The stars represent daughters of the Greek Titan, Atlas.
RACHEL
Atlas, as most listeners know, lost in the war between the Titans and the Greek gods.
PAUL
As a punishment, the Greek gods condemned him to support the heavens for the rest of eternity.
RACHEL
Atlas however, had many daughters prior, including the Pleiades and Hyades.
PAUL
According the legend, the brother of the Hyades was named Hyas and he was killed in a hunting accident.
RACHEL
The Hyades wept for the loss of their brother. So much that it brought rain to the earth.
PAUL
As a result, the Hyades were associated with rain by the Greeks.
RACHEL
So the Greeks expected the day when the Hyades rises just before the sun mark the start of the rainy period.
PAUL
When a star rises just before the sun, is called the star’s heliacal rising.
RACHEL
And the most famous heliacal rising is the one for Sirius.
PAUL
The ancient Egyptians used the heliacal rising of Sirius to predict the flooding of the Nile River.
RACHEL
Which was an important event to their society because the silt left by the flood fertilized their farm fields.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th and 10th of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 9th and 10th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon travels through the Hyades star cluster on the 9th.
RACHEL
So after it gets dark that night, aim your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Stargazers will find the star cluster to the moon’s left.
RACHEL
The cluster consists of two bright branches of stars.
PAUL
The moon and Hyades star cluster will fill your binoculars.
RACHEL
The Hyades represents the face of Taurus the Bull and is the star cluster closest to the solar system.
PAUL
The stars represent daughters of the Greek Titan, Atlas.
RACHEL
Atlas, as most listeners know, lost in the war between the Titans and the Greek gods.
PAUL
As a punishment, the Greek gods condemned him to support the heavens for the rest of eternity.
RACHEL
Atlas however, had many daughters prior, including the Pleiades and Hyades.
PAUL
According the legend, the brother of the Hyades was named Hyas and he was killed in a hunting accident.
RACHEL
The Hyades wept for the loss of their brother. So much that it brought rain to the earth.
PAUL
As a result, the Hyades were associated with rain by the Greeks.
RACHEL
So the Greeks expected the day when the Hyades rises just before the sun mark the start of the rainy period.
PAUL
When a star rises just before the sun, is called the star’s heliacal rising.
RACHEL
And the most famous heliacal rising is the one for Sirius.
PAUL
The ancient Egyptians used the heliacal rising of Sirius to predict the flooding of the Nile River.
RACHEL
Which was an important event to their society because the silt left by the flood fertilized their farm fields.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th and 10th of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, October 2, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 6th, 7th, and 8th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 6th, 7th, and 8th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
What’s the relation between Aries and Uranus?
PAUL
Umm, one’s a planet and the other’s a constellation. So nothing?
RACHEL
Usually that’s true. However, this week the moon passes close to both.
PAUL
Let’s start with Aries then.
RACHEL
Sure, Aries the Ram is a small constellation of four stars.
PAUL
Unusually though, stargazers will only notice three of them.
RACHEL
They form a small flattened triangle that’s located to the upper left of the moon on the evening of the 6th.
PAUL
The brightest star of Aries is named Hamal and its located in the triangle’s left corner.
RACHEL
The name Hamal comes from the Arabic for head of the ram.
PAUL
It is 65 light years away. So if you’re 65 years old this year, the light of Hamal you see tonight left the year you were born.
RACHEL
Now what about Uranus?
PAUL
Well, Uranus is easily seen in binoculars, but it’s better to look for it outside of town’s bright lights.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at the moon after it gets dark on the 6th.
PAUL
Then put the moon just outside your view in the 7 o’clock position.
RACHEL
Uranus will appear as the star on the edge of your binoculars in the 1 o’clock position.
PAUL
Stargazers will see one star brighter than Uranus near that position.
RACHEL
But the star will be closer to the center of their binoculars.
PAUL
It only takes light 160 minutes to reach Uranus.
RACHEL
Meaning that Hamal is 214,000 times farther away from us than Uranus.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th, 7th, and 8th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 6th, 7th, and 8th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
What’s the relation between Aries and Uranus?
PAUL
Umm, one’s a planet and the other’s a constellation. So nothing?
RACHEL
Usually that’s true. However, this week the moon passes close to both.
PAUL
Let’s start with Aries then.
RACHEL
Sure, Aries the Ram is a small constellation of four stars.
PAUL
Unusually though, stargazers will only notice three of them.
RACHEL
They form a small flattened triangle that’s located to the upper left of the moon on the evening of the 6th.
PAUL
The brightest star of Aries is named Hamal and its located in the triangle’s left corner.
RACHEL
The name Hamal comes from the Arabic for head of the ram.
PAUL
It is 65 light years away. So if you’re 65 years old this year, the light of Hamal you see tonight left the year you were born.
RACHEL
Now what about Uranus?
PAUL
Well, Uranus is easily seen in binoculars, but it’s better to look for it outside of town’s bright lights.
RACHEL
So aim your binoculars at the moon after it gets dark on the 6th.
PAUL
Then put the moon just outside your view in the 7 o’clock position.
RACHEL
Uranus will appear as the star on the edge of your binoculars in the 1 o’clock position.
PAUL
Stargazers will see one star brighter than Uranus near that position.
RACHEL
But the star will be closer to the center of their binoculars.
PAUL
It only takes light 160 minutes to reach Uranus.
RACHEL
Meaning that Hamal is 214,000 times farther away from us than Uranus.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th, 7th, and 8th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for October 4th and 5th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 4th and 5th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Venus and Mars are very close to each other on the 5th.
RACHEL
You can’t miss Venus; it appears as the brightest star in the east at 5:30 AM.
PAUL
The Morning Star will appear white in color, that’s if there’s no more smoke filling the air.
RACHEL
Mars is much fainter than Venus and will have a yellowish or even faint orangish tint.
PAUL
Their distance apart is only one-quarter of a degree.
RACHEL
Which is only half the apparent distance across the moon.
PAUL
Or the same as 1/30th the distance across a binocular’s field of view.
RACHEL
So, very close indeed.
PAUL
You can see them as separate planets using just your eyes.
RACHEL
But binoculars will give a better view.
PAUL
Venus is approaching the horizon, so it’s getting closer to the horizon every day.
RACHEL
Mars is traveling away from the horizon, so it’s getting higher every day.
PAUL
Funny thing though, both planets are traveling the same direction on the other side of the sun.
RACHEL
The reason they appear to travel in different directions relative to the horizon has to do with the speed of Earth around the sun.
PAUL
Venus travels faster than Earth, so it appears to be approaching the sun from our perspective.
RACHEL
Mars on the other hand is slower than Earth.
PAUL
So Earth is catching up to Mars and increasing the angular distance between it and the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th and 5th of October.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 4th and 5th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Venus and Mars are very close to each other on the 5th.
RACHEL
You can’t miss Venus; it appears as the brightest star in the east at 5:30 AM.
PAUL
The Morning Star will appear white in color, that’s if there’s no more smoke filling the air.
RACHEL
Mars is much fainter than Venus and will have a yellowish or even faint orangish tint.
PAUL
Their distance apart is only one-quarter of a degree.
RACHEL
Which is only half the apparent distance across the moon.
PAUL
Or the same as 1/30th the distance across a binocular’s field of view.
RACHEL
So, very close indeed.
PAUL
You can see them as separate planets using just your eyes.
RACHEL
But binoculars will give a better view.
PAUL
Venus is approaching the horizon, so it’s getting closer to the horizon every day.
RACHEL
Mars is traveling away from the horizon, so it’s getting higher every day.
PAUL
Funny thing though, both planets are traveling the same direction on the other side of the sun.
RACHEL
The reason they appear to travel in different directions relative to the horizon has to do with the speed of Earth around the sun.
PAUL
Venus travels faster than Earth, so it appears to be approaching the sun from our perspective.
RACHEL
Mars on the other hand is slower than Earth.
PAUL
So Earth is catching up to Mars and increasing the angular distance between it and the sun.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 4th and 5th of October.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho skies Transcript for October 2nd and 3rd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 2nd and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon is near two astronomical targets on the night of the 2nd.
PAUL
The first one is the star Fomalhaut, and you don’t need binoculars to see it.
RACHEL
The second is more difficult, because it’s Neptune.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is the lonely star below the moon on the 2nd.
RACHEL
It’s the brightest star of Piscis Austrinus, or the constellation of the Southern Fish.
PAUL
Star maps depict the Southern Fish as swallowing the water that Aquarius is pouring from his jar.
RACHEL
The constellation is not very bright, but its lucida, Fomalhaut is the 18th brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is a young star; astronomers in fact estimate that it’s only 200 million years old.
RACHEL
The star also has an honor related to exoplanets.
PAUL
That’s right; it’s the first star to have one of its planets photographed by telescope.
RACHEL
It takes a telescope like the Hubble to photograph this exoplanet, which astronomers have named Dagon.
PAUL
Now unlike Fomalhaut, you’ll need binoculars to see Neptune.
RACHEL
So drive to a dark sky location outside of town and aim your binoculars at the moon at around 9:00 PM.
PAUL
You’ll see a star 5 degrees, or 2/3rds of the way across your binoculars, to the moon’s left.
RACHEL
That star is just above Neptune.
PAUL
The distance between that brighter star and Neptune is about half the diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Be patient, Neptune is faint and your eyes need time to adapt to the dark.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd and 3rd of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 2nd and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon is near two astronomical targets on the night of the 2nd.
PAUL
The first one is the star Fomalhaut, and you don’t need binoculars to see it.
RACHEL
The second is more difficult, because it’s Neptune.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is the lonely star below the moon on the 2nd.
RACHEL
It’s the brightest star of Piscis Austrinus, or the constellation of the Southern Fish.
PAUL
Star maps depict the Southern Fish as swallowing the water that Aquarius is pouring from his jar.
RACHEL
The constellation is not very bright, but its lucida, Fomalhaut is the 18th brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
Fomalhaut is a young star; astronomers in fact estimate that it’s only 200 million years old.
RACHEL
The star also has an honor related to exoplanets.
PAUL
That’s right; it’s the first star to have one of its planets photographed by telescope.
RACHEL
It takes a telescope like the Hubble to photograph this exoplanet, which astronomers have named Dagon.
PAUL
Now unlike Fomalhaut, you’ll need binoculars to see Neptune.
RACHEL
So drive to a dark sky location outside of town and aim your binoculars at the moon at around 9:00 PM.
PAUL
You’ll see a star 5 degrees, or 2/3rds of the way across your binoculars, to the moon’s left.
RACHEL
That star is just above Neptune.
PAUL
The distance between that brighter star and Neptune is about half the diameter of the moon.
RACHEL
Be patient, Neptune is faint and your eyes need time to adapt to the dark.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 2nd and 3rd of October.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for September 29th and 30th and October 1st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 29th and 30th, and October 1st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers looking towards the north will find the Big Dipper very close to the horizon.
PAUL
Back in the early spring, it was high above the Northern horizon.
RACHEL
Over the course of one year, the Big Dipper makes one complete revolution around the North Star.
PAUL
It does the same thing in the course of 24 hours.
RACHEL
Actually, it does this in 23 hours and 56 minutes.
PAUL
That 4 minute difference from a 24 hour day is important.
RACHEL
It means all stars, and not just those in the Big Dipper, rise four minutes earlier every night.
PAUL
Which also means the stars appear to rotate a little counter-clockwise each night.
RACHEL
Over the course of the year, each night’s four minute shift adds up to 24 hours.
PAUL
And therefore, the stars begin the new year right where they were last year.
RACHEL
Why the 4 minute shift each day?
PAUL
Because Earth is orbiting the sun.
RACHEL
After each day, Earth shifts 1 degree further in its orbit around the sun.
PAUL
This makes the boundary between day and night shift one degree relative to the sun.
RACHEL
And the angle between Earth and the sun is responsible for when sunset occurs.
PAUL
And one degree equates to 4 minutes.
RACHEL
So this October, watch the Big Dipper skim the Northern horizon.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of September and the 1st 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 29th and 30th, and October 1st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers looking towards the north will find the Big Dipper very close to the horizon.
PAUL
Back in the early spring, it was high above the Northern horizon.
RACHEL
Over the course of one year, the Big Dipper makes one complete revolution around the North Star.
PAUL
It does the same thing in the course of 24 hours.
RACHEL
Actually, it does this in 23 hours and 56 minutes.
PAUL
That 4 minute difference from a 24 hour day is important.
RACHEL
It means all stars, and not just those in the Big Dipper, rise four minutes earlier every night.
PAUL
Which also means the stars appear to rotate a little counter-clockwise each night.
RACHEL
Over the course of the year, each night’s four minute shift adds up to 24 hours.
PAUL
And therefore, the stars begin the new year right where they were last year.
RACHEL
Why the 4 minute shift each day?
PAUL
Because Earth is orbiting the sun.
RACHEL
After each day, Earth shifts 1 degree further in its orbit around the sun.
PAUL
This makes the boundary between day and night shift one degree relative to the sun.
RACHEL
And the angle between Earth and the sun is responsible for when sunset occurs.
PAUL
And one degree equates to 4 minutes.
RACHEL
So this October, watch the Big Dipper skim the Northern horizon.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th and 30th of September and the 1st 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for September 27th and 28th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers will find two astronomical treats on the night of the 27th.
RACHEL
Best of all, they’re right next to each other.
PAUL
First is the moon, it will be at first quarter.
RACHEL
The first quarter moon is half full, which can seem contradictory to its name.
PAUL
So think of first quarter meaning the moon has traveled one quarter of the way around the sky...
RACHEL
...rather than being one quarter full.
PAUL
This is among the best moon phases for your binoculars.
RACHEL
Lunar craters and mountains along the terminator of the moon will display easy-to-see shadows.
PAUL
Which make very small lunar features really stand out.
RACHEL
After observing the moon, then turn your attention beyond the moon’s right edge.
PAUL
You’ll see a creamy yellowish star there. But it’s not really a star.
RACHEL
It’s Saturn, the second largest planet in the solar system.
PAUL
Anyone with a small telescope, or even spotting scope, can see Saturn’s rings.
RACHEL
It only requires a magnification of 25 power to see them.
PAUL
That unfortunately, is beyond the capability of most binoculars.
RACHEL
The moon is residing within the constellation of Sagittarius this fall.
PAUL
To most people, it appears like a teapot of 7 stars.
RACHEL
To help you make out Sagittarius, look for a tilting teapot of stars just below the moon.
PAUL
In dark skies, you’ll find that the Milky Way is the steam rising out of the teapot’s spout
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers will find two astronomical treats on the night of the 27th.
RACHEL
Best of all, they’re right next to each other.
PAUL
First is the moon, it will be at first quarter.
RACHEL
The first quarter moon is half full, which can seem contradictory to its name.
PAUL
So think of first quarter meaning the moon has traveled one quarter of the way around the sky...
RACHEL
...rather than being one quarter full.
PAUL
This is among the best moon phases for your binoculars.
RACHEL
Lunar craters and mountains along the terminator of the moon will display easy-to-see shadows.
PAUL
Which make very small lunar features really stand out.
RACHEL
After observing the moon, then turn your attention beyond the moon’s right edge.
PAUL
You’ll see a creamy yellowish star there. But it’s not really a star.
RACHEL
It’s Saturn, the second largest planet in the solar system.
PAUL
Anyone with a small telescope, or even spotting scope, can see Saturn’s rings.
RACHEL
It only requires a magnification of 25 power to see them.
PAUL
That unfortunately, is beyond the capability of most binoculars.
RACHEL
The moon is residing within the constellation of Sagittarius this fall.
PAUL
To most people, it appears like a teapot of 7 stars.
RACHEL
To help you make out Sagittarius, look for a tilting teapot of stars just below the moon.
PAUL
In dark skies, you’ll find that the Milky Way is the steam rising out of the teapot’s spout
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for September 25th and 26th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
There’s a sideways W in the sky.
PAUL
Umm, I see a sideways M.
RACHEL
Well, it does depend on your perspective. But in any case, do you know what I’m talking about?
PAUL
Sure, it’s the constellation of Cassiopeia.
RACHEL
Cassiopeia, according to mythology, was the Queen of Ethiopia and wife to King Cepheus.
PAUL
And their daughter was named Andromeda.
RACHEL
But Cassiopeia got in trouble with the Greek god Poseidon.
PAUL
How? By bragging that she was more beautiful than the Nereids, his daughters.
RACHEL
This of course displeased the Nereids to no end, so they asked their father to do something about it.
PAUL
Poseidon decided to send a sea monster to attack the coast of Ethiopia.
RACHEL
Hardly seems fair, does it.
PAUL
The Greek and Roman gods were very human-like for sure.
RACHEL
To appease Poseidon, the king and queen tied their daughter Andromeda to rocks along the coast as a sacrifice to the sea monster.
PAUL
It was just in the nick of time that the Greek hero Perseus stopped the sea monster and rescued Andromeda.
RACHEL
Hey! All these Greek legends appear in the skies tonight.
PAUL
Yep. But first look for Cassiopeia tonight. She’s in the northeast.
RACHEL
To find her, look half way up above the horizon for a pattern of 5 stars arranged in a W tipped on its left end.
PAUL
By the way, the W represents a side view of the queen sitting on her throne.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of September.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
There’s a sideways W in the sky.
PAUL
Umm, I see a sideways M.
RACHEL
Well, it does depend on your perspective. But in any case, do you know what I’m talking about?
PAUL
Sure, it’s the constellation of Cassiopeia.
RACHEL
Cassiopeia, according to mythology, was the Queen of Ethiopia and wife to King Cepheus.
PAUL
And their daughter was named Andromeda.
RACHEL
But Cassiopeia got in trouble with the Greek god Poseidon.
PAUL
How? By bragging that she was more beautiful than the Nereids, his daughters.
RACHEL
This of course displeased the Nereids to no end, so they asked their father to do something about it.
PAUL
Poseidon decided to send a sea monster to attack the coast of Ethiopia.
RACHEL
Hardly seems fair, does it.
PAUL
The Greek and Roman gods were very human-like for sure.
RACHEL
To appease Poseidon, the king and queen tied their daughter Andromeda to rocks along the coast as a sacrifice to the sea monster.
PAUL
It was just in the nick of time that the Greek hero Perseus stopped the sea monster and rescued Andromeda.
RACHEL
Hey! All these Greek legends appear in the skies tonight.
PAUL
Yep. But first look for Cassiopeia tonight. She’s in the northeast.
RACHEL
To find her, look half way up above the horizon for a pattern of 5 stars arranged in a W tipped on its left end.
PAUL
By the way, the W represents a side view of the queen sitting on her throne.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of September.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Idaho skies Transcript for September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The Autumnal Equinox occurs on the 22nd.
PAUL
Specifically, it begins at 2:02 PM.
RACHEL
The Autumnal Equinox marks the exact time that the sun stands overhead the equator.
PAUL
On the day it crosses the equator going south, marks the first day of autumn in the Northern hemisphere.
RACHEL
If there were no atmosphere to bend or refract light, then the day would last exactly 12 hours long.
PAUL
Because of our atmosphere, sunrise occurs a few minutes earlier and sunset occurs a few minutes later
RACHEL
Since the first day of summer back in June, the days have been getting shorter.
PAUL
And this will continue until late December.
RACHEL
So enjoy the first day of fall with its longer nights, fresh apples, and pumpkins that it brings.
PAUL
Get your binoculars out and observe the western horizon shortly after sunset on the 22nd.
RACHEL
Because at around 8:15, stargazers will be able to see the three day old moon and Jupiter.
PAUL
Jupiter is approaching the sun, so you don’t have many more days to see the planet.
RACHEL
The moon will appear as a very thin crescent to the upper left of Jupiter.
PAUL
The crescent will be thin enough that very few craters will be visible through binoculars.
RACHEL
And the moon is too close to the well-lit horizon for Earthshine to be visible on the dark portion of the moon.
PAUL
However, over the next two or three days, stargazers will be able to observe Earthshine on the moon.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of September.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The Autumnal Equinox occurs on the 22nd.
PAUL
Specifically, it begins at 2:02 PM.
RACHEL
The Autumnal Equinox marks the exact time that the sun stands overhead the equator.
PAUL
On the day it crosses the equator going south, marks the first day of autumn in the Northern hemisphere.
RACHEL
If there were no atmosphere to bend or refract light, then the day would last exactly 12 hours long.
PAUL
Because of our atmosphere, sunrise occurs a few minutes earlier and sunset occurs a few minutes later
RACHEL
Since the first day of summer back in June, the days have been getting shorter.
PAUL
And this will continue until late December.
RACHEL
So enjoy the first day of fall with its longer nights, fresh apples, and pumpkins that it brings.
PAUL
Get your binoculars out and observe the western horizon shortly after sunset on the 22nd.
RACHEL
Because at around 8:15, stargazers will be able to see the three day old moon and Jupiter.
PAUL
Jupiter is approaching the sun, so you don’t have many more days to see the planet.
RACHEL
The moon will appear as a very thin crescent to the upper left of Jupiter.
PAUL
The crescent will be thin enough that very few craters will be visible through binoculars.
RACHEL
And the moon is too close to the well-lit horizon for Earthshine to be visible on the dark portion of the moon.
PAUL
However, over the next two or three days, stargazers will be able to observe Earthshine on the moon.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of September.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for September 20th and 21st.
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Venus and Regulus continue their celestial dance for the next few days.
RACHEL
Venus is the Morning Star, and very bright in the low east at 6:30 AM.
PAUL
Regulus is the heart of Leo the Lion and the constellation’s brightest star.
RACHEL
To see them, look in the low east at around 6:30 AM before the light of dawn gets too bright.
PAUL
Stargazers will see the pair change their positions relative to each other very dramatically every morning.
RACHEL
Venus is on its way to the other side of the solar system.
PAUL
That means its growing fainter and smaller.
RACHEL
And its phase is becoming closer to full every day.
PAUL
However, Venus is small enough that its phase is not usually observable except through a telescope.
RACHEL
If you have one, then aim it at Venus once the sky has brightened.
PAUL
This way the glare of Venus won’t overwhelm your eyes.
RACHEL
And the planet will appear as a tiny white globe.
PAUL
The moon reappears in the evening sky on the 21st.
RACHEL
It will have the shape of an incredibly thin crescent in the low west.
PAUL
If you have trouble finding it at 8:30, then look for Jupiter.
RACHEL
Jupiter is the bright star in the low west.
PAUL
And the moon will be just a little right of Jupiter.
RACHEL
Get your binoculars out, for this will be a cool sight.
PAUL
Because the moon will be 46 hours past new.
RACHEL
Since people don’t see the moon until its three days old, you’ll have bragging rights after seeing the moon this young.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of September.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Venus and Regulus continue their celestial dance for the next few days.
RACHEL
Venus is the Morning Star, and very bright in the low east at 6:30 AM.
PAUL
Regulus is the heart of Leo the Lion and the constellation’s brightest star.
RACHEL
To see them, look in the low east at around 6:30 AM before the light of dawn gets too bright.
PAUL
Stargazers will see the pair change their positions relative to each other very dramatically every morning.
RACHEL
Venus is on its way to the other side of the solar system.
PAUL
That means its growing fainter and smaller.
RACHEL
And its phase is becoming closer to full every day.
PAUL
However, Venus is small enough that its phase is not usually observable except through a telescope.
RACHEL
If you have one, then aim it at Venus once the sky has brightened.
PAUL
This way the glare of Venus won’t overwhelm your eyes.
RACHEL
And the planet will appear as a tiny white globe.
PAUL
The moon reappears in the evening sky on the 21st.
RACHEL
It will have the shape of an incredibly thin crescent in the low west.
PAUL
If you have trouble finding it at 8:30, then look for Jupiter.
RACHEL
Jupiter is the bright star in the low west.
PAUL
And the moon will be just a little right of Jupiter.
RACHEL
Get your binoculars out, for this will be a cool sight.
PAUL
Because the moon will be 46 hours past new.
RACHEL
Since people don’t see the moon until its three days old, you’ll have bragging rights after seeing the moon this young.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of September.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for September 18th and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
A very thin crescent moon appears between three planets and a star on the morning of the 18th.
PAUL
This should be a really neat sight on account of the thinness of the moon.
RACHEL
Early-rising stargazers need to look in the low east at around 6:30 in the morning.
PAUL
Above the moon will be brilliant Venus.
RACHEL
And almost equally distant below the moon will be bright Mercury.
PAUL
Between the moon and Mercury will be much fainter Mars.
RACHEL
And between the moon and Venus will be the star Regulus.
PAUL
For the next few mornings, keep an eye on Venus and Regulus.
RACHEL
Since Regulus is a true star, its rises earlier each day and therefore appears higher above the horizon.
PAUL
Venus on the other hand, is traveling to the far side of the solar system, so it appears closer to the sun each morning.
RACHEL
Meaning it rises later and appears lower in the sky.
PAUL
Venus and Regulus will nearly cross paths on the 20th.
RACHEL
So stargazers can watch the two approach very close to each other for the next few days.
PAUL
Then swap their relative places in the sky and grow farther apart.
RACHEL
The change is dramatic and noticeable from one morning to the next.
PAUL
So spend a minute each morning observing this celestial dance.
RACHEL
It will be a nice way to start your day.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of September.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
A very thin crescent moon appears between three planets and a star on the morning of the 18th.
PAUL
This should be a really neat sight on account of the thinness of the moon.
RACHEL
Early-rising stargazers need to look in the low east at around 6:30 in the morning.
PAUL
Above the moon will be brilliant Venus.
RACHEL
And almost equally distant below the moon will be bright Mercury.
PAUL
Between the moon and Mercury will be much fainter Mars.
RACHEL
And between the moon and Venus will be the star Regulus.
PAUL
For the next few mornings, keep an eye on Venus and Regulus.
RACHEL
Since Regulus is a true star, its rises earlier each day and therefore appears higher above the horizon.
PAUL
Venus on the other hand, is traveling to the far side of the solar system, so it appears closer to the sun each morning.
RACHEL
Meaning it rises later and appears lower in the sky.
PAUL
Venus and Regulus will nearly cross paths on the 20th.
RACHEL
So stargazers can watch the two approach very close to each other for the next few days.
PAUL
Then swap their relative places in the sky and grow farther apart.
RACHEL
The change is dramatic and noticeable from one morning to the next.
PAUL
So spend a minute each morning observing this celestial dance.
RACHEL
It will be a nice way to start your day.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th of September.
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.
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