Idaho Skies Transcript for May 5th, 5th, and 7th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 5th, 6th, and 7th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
…and Paul.

BRING DOWN MUSIC

RACHEL
The moon is leaving the confines of Leo the Lion on the 5th.

PAUL
Which also means the moon is located below Leo’s second brightest star, Denebola.

RACHEL
Above and slightly left of Denebola is a large and scattered star cluster named Mel-111.

PAUL
The cluster is much larger than the Beehive and in fact, it fills the binocular view.

RACHEL
To find Mel-111, locate Denebola, or the bright star above the moon.

PAUL
Now mentally draw a line from the moon to Denebola.

RACHEL
Extend that line 50% farther above Denebola and then slightly left.

PAUL
By pointing your binoculars in this region of the sky, you should see a large scattering of stars.

RACHEL
Hey, the moon, Jupiter, and Spica form a line on the night of the 6th.

PAUL
The moon is nearly full, so binoculars will not show much crater detail.

RACHEL
Jupiter on the other hand, is accompanied by a retinue of moons.

PAUL
And those are visible through your binoculars.

RACHEL
By the 7th, the moon moves so close to Jupiter that both can be seen together in binoculars.

PAUL
Look closely and you’ll be able to see Jupiter’s second largest moon Callisto below Jupiter.

RACHEL
And it’s largest moon Ganymede above Jupiter.

PAUL
The remaining moons, Io and Europa, are located just below Jupiter.

RACHEL
But probably too close to the planet’s glare to be see without a telescope.

FADE IN MUSIC

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th, 6th, and 7th of May.

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.