Idaho Skies Transcript for January 31st and February 1st

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 31st and February 1st. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The moon becomes full at 7:27 AM on the 31st.

RACHEL
This is a super moon and the second full moon of January.

PAUL
Often called a Blue Moon, the second full moon of the month is not necessarily a Blue Moon.

RACHEL
And Idaho Skies will explain this in March when we actually do have a Blue Moon.

PAUL
What’s most important about this full moon is that it’s passing through the center of Earth’s shadow.

RACHEL
Meaning Idaho stargazers will be able to see a total lunar eclipse on the morning of Wednesday the 31st.

PAUL
The moon enters Earth’s fainter outer shadow or penumbra at 3:53 AM.

RACHEL
But the eclipse won’t be noticeable until around 4:30 in the morning.

PAUL
By 5:30 AM, the moon will enter well within deeper center of Earth’s shadow, or umbra.

RACHEL
By then, stargazers will be able to see a red glow across the lunar surface.

PAUL
That red glow comes from all of the sunsets occurring around the rim of the Earth, from the moon’s perspective.

RACHEL
An astronaut standing on the moon would see a bright red-orange ring overhead where Earth normally appears.

PAUL
The first light of dawn begins around 6:30 AM, so you’ll have between 5:30 and 6:30 to get your best views of the eclipse.

RACHEL
And since this is the Super Moon for 2018, the lunar eclipse will appear about 10% larger than on average.

PAUL
So take a peek at the moon after you wake up and as you drive to work on the 31st.

RACHEL
The moon will appear in the low west and have a distinctive red tint.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 31st of January and 1st of February.

RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.

For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.