Idaho Skies Transcript for February 27th and 28th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Stargazers will begin seeing the moon again on the 28th.

PAUL
It will be located in the low southwest after dark.

RACHEL
The moon has company on the 28th, Venus.

PAUL
And a comet.

RACHEL
Wait, a comet?

PAUL
Yep. The comet’s name is Encke and it orbits the sun once every three years and four months.

RACHEL
Comet Encke is not known as a spectacular comet.

PAUL
That’s because it’s small and has taken a lot of trips around the sun.

RACHEL
However, it could very well be visible in binoculars.

PAUL
To find comet Encke, aim your binoculars at Venus...

RACHEL
...which is the bright star to the moon’s right.

PAUL
Then scan six degrees below Venus.

RACHEL
Six degrees is nearly the field of view of your binoculars.

PAUL
If the comet is bright enough and your location dark enough, then the comet will appear as a hazy star.

RACHEL
Comets originate in the outer system.

PAUL
At distances so far from the sun that it’s icy cold.

RACHEL
Which is why comets are made up of frozen gases and some dust.

PAUL
And when they approach the sun, that ice melts to form a cloud and tail of gas and dust.

RACHEL
And with any luck, you’ll see that cloud of ice and dust surrounding Comet Encke.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of February.

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.