Idaho Skies Transcript: May 12th, 13th, and 14th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 12th, 13th, and 14th. We’re your hosts, Paul…

RACHEL
…and Rachel.

BRING DOWN MUSIC

PAUL
Stargazers will find Saturn a little right of the moon after midnight of the 14th.

RACHEL
Not only that, but the moon is also surrounded by nebulae and star clusters.

PAUL
Can our listeners see the clusters and nebulae in binoculars?

RACHEL
Sure, they’ll appear as smudges of light and in some cases smudges filled with stars.

PAUL
The nebulae and clusters are located between the solar system and the compact center of the Milky Way galaxy.

RACHEL
Or its nucleus.

PAUL
To see them at these star clusters and nebulae at their best, travel outside of town to darker skies.

RACHEL
Then sweep the region around the moon with binoculars.

PAUL
But be sure to shift your binoculars away from the moon.

RACHEL
That way the moon’s light won’t drown out the fainter light of the nebulae and star clusters.

PAUL
Exactly why is this region of the sky filled with so many star clusters and nebulae?

RACHEL
Because it’s located within the central bulge of the Milky Way galaxy.

PAUL
That’s where most of the galaxy’s stars are located.

RACHEL
And it’s the brightest region of the Milky Way.

PAUL
Since the moon is so bright tonight, it will be difficult to see the Milky Way tonight.

RACHEL
But on nights when the moon isn’t present, the Milky Way arcs overhead in summer.

PAUL
And looks like a luminescent cloud.

RACHEL
Unfortunately, our towns and cities are growing so bright from badly placed lights, most Americans can’t see the Milky Way anymore.

FADE IN MUSIC

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th, 13th, and 14th of May.

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.