Idaho Skies Transcript for July 28th to 30th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for July 28th, 29th, and 30th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...


PAUL
...and Paul.


RACHEL
Stargazers will find the moon keeping excellent company on the evening of the 28th.


PAUL
They are two stars below the moon in the west-southwest.


RACHEL
The brightest star is not actually a star, its Jupiter and it appears to the right of the moon.


PAUL
The fainter of the two stars is Spica and it’s to the left of the moon.


RACHEL
Through binoculars, Spica won’t change its appearance, but will look brighter.


PAUL
Jupiter, on the other hand, does change its appearance through binoculars.


RACHEL
The actual disk of the planet is barely visible through binoculars.


PAUL
The best way to see the disk of Jupiter is observe the planet before the sky is completely dark.


RACHEL
That’s because in total darkness, the glare of Jupiter creates flares radiating beyond the actual disk of the planet.


PAUL
Jupiter’s four largest satellites are also easy to see through binoculars.


RACHEL
Although on the 28th, only two of satellites are visible.


PAUL
Because the other two are too close to the planet.


RACHEL
Farthest from Jupiter is Callisto and it’s to the left of the planet.


PAUL
The other is Ganymede, and it’s between Callisto and Jupiter.


RACHEL
It’s helpful if you steady your binoculars against something stationary, like a fence post.


PAUL
That way, you reduce the shaking of your arms.


RACHEL
And a steady view always makes fainter stars appear brighter in binoculars.


PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 28th, 29th, and 30th of July.


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.