Idaho Skies Transcript for February 19th and 20th

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

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
The seventh planet is too dim to see without visual aid in all but the clearest and darkest skies.

PAUL
But it’s bright enough that it can be seen through binoculars, even in town.

RACHEL
Of course, you’ll need to block the street lights of your neighborhood if you want to see it.

PAUL
Look for Uranus on the 19th when it’s just seven degrees from the moon.

RACHEL
Since most binoculars, like 7X50s, have a field of view of 7.5 degrees, you can see both the moon and Uranus simultaneously.

PAUL
This is an evening event, so wait until the end of dusk.

RACHEL
Then aim your binoculars at the moon.

PAUL
Next place the moon at the bottom of your binoculars in the seven o’clock position.

RACHEL
Then find the star in the middle of your binoculars.

PAUL
If you follow a line between the moon and that star, it will take you to Uranus at the other end of your binoculars.

RACHEL
Uranus is considered an ice giant by astronomers.

PAUL
That means it’s more massive than Earth and made of compounds that are frozen solid at its distance from the sun.

RACHEL
Therefore, Uranus has only one quarter the amount of hydrogen and helium as Jupiter, but lots of methane, ammonia, and water.

PAUL
Most likely, there’s solid core residing inside of Uranus.

RACHEL
And astronomers predict its diameter is only 6,000 miles.

PAUL
Or ¾ of the dimeter of Earth.

RACHEL
But it’s primarily icy and not as rocky like Earth.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th and 20th of February.

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.