Idaho Skies Transcript for September 8th, 9th, and 10th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 8th, 9th, and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The solar system’s largest ice giant planet is close to the moon on the 9th.

PAUL
You mean Uranus.

RACHEL
Yep. Did you know Uranus is just barely bright enough to see without optical aid?

PAUL
I did, but I also know it’s difficult to distinguish from all the faint stars in the sky.

RACHEL
That’s why the moon is so helpful to stargazers on the 9th.

PAUL
To see Uranus, drive to a dark location with a friend and your binoculars at around 11:00 PM.

RACHEL
Place the gibbous moon at the right edge of your binoculars, at the 4:00 position.

PAUL
Uranus is the star at the 10:00 position.

RACHEL
And it’s the third brightest star you’ll see in your binoculars.

PAUL
Early risers will see three planets close together in the low east at around 6:15 AM.

RACHEL
Venus or the Morning Star is the brightest one.

PAUL
Below and left of Venus is innermost Mercury.

RACHEL
Mercury is right next to the star, Regulus, but Regulus is the fainter of the two.

PAUL
And below and left of Mercury is even fainter Mars.

RACHEL
How about that, three planets within 14 degrees of each other?

PAUL
That’s close enough that can cover them up with your outstretched hand and thumb.

RACHEL
By the way, the planets aren’t close to each other.

PAUL
Mercury is between Earth and the sun.

RACHEL
Venus is on the other side of the solar system.

PAUL
And tiny Mars is way on the other side of the solar system.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th 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.