Idaho Skies Transcript for November 24th, 25th, and 26th.

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for November 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Mercury’s a tiny little squirt as far as planets go.

PAUL
Yep, and it hardly ever appears in our sky.

RACHEL
This planet is only 50% wider than the moon.

PAUL
And it orbits the sun at only 1/3rd the distance that Earth does.

RACHEL
So when Mercury does manage to get far enough away for the sun for us to see, it’s a rare opportunity.

PAUL
Such are the nights around 24th.

RACHEL
Even better, Mercury will have company, Saturn.

PAUL
To see Mercury, look in the low southwest at 6:00 PM on the 24th.

RACHEL
Mercury will be the brightest star really close to the horizon.

PAUL
And Saturn will be half as bright and about three times higher.

RACHEL
Stargazers will probably want to use their binoculars to find elusive little Mercury.

PAUL
But please, don’t start scanning the horizon with them until after the sun has set.

RACHEL
When you do find Mercury, you’ll be looking at a world that looks a lot like the moon on account of its craters.

PAUL
Mercury is so close to the sun that surface temperatures can reach 800 degrees.

RACHEL
Ouch! That’s hot enough to melt lead!

PAUL
Then at night, the temperature drops down to nearly 300 degrees below zero.

RACHEL
Oh well, I guess I won’t recommend Mercury as a vacation spot based on its climate.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th and 26th of November.

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.