Idaho Skies Transcript for September 15th, 16th, and 17th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 15th, 16th, and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Stargazers will have an easy opportunity to see the Beehive star cluster on the morning of the 16th.

RACHEL
The Beehive is one of the few star clusters known to ancient cultures like the Greeks.

PAUL
Of course, without a telescope, they only knew of it as a small fuzzy cloud, or nebula.

RACHEL
In our electrically illuminated world, it’s more difficult to find the Beehive star cluster.

PAUL
Unless of course something brighter points out its location.

RACHEL
This is what happens with the moon on the morning of the 16th.

PAUL
So get out your binoculars and aim them at the moon at around 5:00 AM.

RACHEL
Then shift your binoculars to move the moon to the right edge of your view.

PAUL
Nearly dead center will be a tight grouping of stars.

RACHEL
This is the Beehive star cluster and you could see as many as two dozen stars.

PAUL
Look for the moon before leaving for work on the 17th, and while it’s still dark.

RACHEL
Below the moon is a line of four stars pointing slightly towards the left.

PAUL
First below the moon is the Morning Star, or bright white Venus.

RACHEL
Lower still is slightly yellowish Regulus, the brightest star of the constellation of Leo the Lion.

PAUL
Then very close to the horizon are two stars right next to each other.

RACHEL
The brighter star is Mercury, and it will appear white in color.

PAUL
Just next to it is much fainted Mars.

RACHEL
And it will appear more yellowish-orange than white.

PAUL
But the tint of Mars will be subtle because it’s so faint.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th, 16th, and 17th of September.

PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.

For Idaho Skies this is Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.