Idaho Skies Transcript for December 29th, 30th, and 31st

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 29th, 30th, and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The moon forms a trio with two star clusters on the night of the 29th.

PAUL
The star clusters are the Pleiades and the Hyades.

RACHEL
Both are good binocular objects, but only the Pleiades is suitable for a Christmas telescope.

PAUL
The Pleiades will appear as a tiny dipper of stars through binoculars or telescope of modest power.

RACHEL
After observing the moon on the 29th, look again on the next day to see how close the moon has traveled to Aldebaran.

PAUL
Aldebaran is the bright orangish star at the edge of the Hyades star cluster.

RACHEL
It’s represents the eye of Taurus the Bull and is not a part of the Hyades star cluster.

PAUL
The moon is nearly full on the 30th, so its best craters will appear tilted away from Earth.

RACHEL
However, large lunar seas and the mountains rimming them will be quite easy to see.

PAUL
The moon continues its travels and will appear above Orion the Hunter on the 31st.

RACHEL
Look for Orion’s tilted rectangle of four bright stars below and right of the moon.

PAUL
Passing through the center of this large rectangle will be a straight line of three equally bright stars, or Orion’s Belt.

RACHEL
Now look below the middle star of a line of two or three fainter stars.

PAUL
This is Orion’s sword.

RACHEL
If you aim your Christmas telescope at the second, sort of fuzzy looking star in the sword, you’ll be in for a real surprise.

PAUL
This fuzzy star will turn into a white or green cloud filled with swirls and stars.

RACHEL
This is the Great Orion nebula, a stellar nursery where stars and solar systems are being born today.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th, 30th and 31st of December.

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.