Idaho Skies Transcript for October 13th, 14th, and 15th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 13th, 14th, and 15th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The Beehive star cluster and the star Regulus are the astronomical news makers for this episode of Idaho Skies.

RACHEL
So let’s start with the Beehive, which stargazers will find within a binocular view of the moon.

PAUL
This is an event for early risers, so stargazers will need to go outside at around 4:00 AM.

RACHEL
Aim your binoculars at the moon and then shift it to the right edge.

PAUL
The Beehive will then appear as a compact clump of stars a little inside of the left edge.

RACHEL
Now center your binoculars on the Beehive.

PAUL
As your eyes adapt to the absence of the moon, you might be able to see as many as two dozen stars.

RACHEL
The reason the Beehive appears so prominent is that it’s one of the nearest star clusters to the solar system.

PAUL
It’s also unusually rich in stars.

RACHEL
Next up is Regulus.

PAUL
The moon almost scrapes this bright star on the morning of the 15th.

RACHEL
To see this near occultation, go outside a short time before 4:00 AM.

PAUL
The star will be the bright star above the thin crescent moon.

RACHEL
Regulus, as you recall, is the brightest star of Leo the Lion.

PAUL
In fact, 140 times brighter than the sun.

RACHEL
Which is the reason that you can see this Regulus when its 77 light years from Earth.

PAUL
You would need binoculars to the see the sun from Regulus.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 13th, 14th, and 15th of October.

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.