Idaho Skies Transcript for February 7th and 8th

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The moon appears at the last quarter phase on the 7th.

RACHEL
So the 7th is the perfect time to view the moon through binoculars.

PAUL
But stargazers will need to go outside after midnight to see it.

RACHEL
You’ll be rewarded with lots of craters in the southern half of the moon if you spend a few minutes observing.

PAUL
After looking at the lunar craters, turn your binoculars towards Zubenelgenubi.

RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star and it’s the star to the moon’s lower right

PAUL
After splitting the two stars of Zubenelgenubi, then aim your binoculars at the brightest star below the moon.

RACHEL
Stargazers will notice this star, which is slightly yellowish, doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.

PAUL
That’s because the star is actually a planet.

RACHEL
Jupiter to be specific.

PAUL
When you look at Jupiter though binoculars, they’ll show you that the planet has company.

RACHEL
Its four large Galilean satellites.

PAUL
Finally, don’t forget Mars.

RACHEL
Which is much fainter than Jupiter and distinctly yellow-orange in color.

PAUL
Mars is located to the lower left of the moon.

RACHEL
You’ll notice that Mars has a neighboring star that looks a lot like it.

PAUL
That star is Antares and we’ll have more to say about it next time.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of February.

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

For Idaho Skies this is Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.