Idaho Skies Transcript for January 19th, 20th, and 21st

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 19th, 20th, and 21st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Sharp-eyed stargazers will find a two-day old moon on the 19th.

PAUL
Since it’s only two days old, it will be a very thin crescent.

RACHEL
Look in the very low southwest at around 7:00 PM, or as soon as it gets dark.

PAUL
The moon will be so thin that it will be difficult to see lunar detail, even through binoculars.

RACHEL
But binoculars still help you find the moon.

PAUL
The moon will be too close to the horizon to show any earthshine.

RACHEL
So keep an eye on the moon for the next three or so nights in order to see the old moon in the arms of the young.

PAUL
That’s a fancy name for earthshine.

RACHEL
On Friday, be sure to look for a bright star to the moon’s left.

PAUL
You’ll observe Fomalhaut, that lonely star you were seeing in the low south last autumn.

RACHEL
Now for something difficult.

PAUL
If you aim your binoculars at the moon on the 20th, you can see Neptune.

RACHEL
Neptune will be three degrees right of the moon.

PAUL
This means if you center the moon on the left edge of your binoculars, Neptune will be just left of center.

RACHEL
Be careful though, there will be a bright star almost exactly in the center of your view.

PAUL
So look just a little left of that star and back towards the moon.

RACHEL
Neptune will be significantly fainter than the central star, so this observation is best made outside of town.

PAUL
And Neptune will form the corner of a triangle of five stars that are visible in your binoculars.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th, 20th, and 21st of January.

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.