PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Whoa, there’s a bright reddish-orange star just below the moon on the 3rd.
RACHEL
That’s Mars, the fourth rock from the sun.
PAUL
Mars is about half the diameter of Earth.
RACHEL
Sadly though, it has an atmosphere less than 1% as dense as ours.
PAUL
Which means it is nearly impossible for even single-celled organisms to live on its surface.
RACHEL
However, beneath the Martian surface is ice that might contain some liquid water.
PAUL
That means our best chances to find life on Mars is to either look for fossils of past life on the surface…
RACHEL
…or to drill into its surface and search for refuges of life.
PAUL
Did you know that astronomers Wilson and Penzias discovered strange radio interference back on June 1st 1965?
RACHEL
Try as they might, they couldn’t find the source of this noise in their radio or its antenna.
PAUL
Soon after, they realized that the radio noise was coming from space itself.
RACHEL
They had discovered the residual heat left over from the origin of the universe.
PAUL
Only in 1965, it had cooled to microwaves because of the expansion of the universe.
RACHEL
But 13.7 billion years ago, the universe was so hot that even atoms couldn’t exist.
PAUL
The emission of microwaves means the universe currently has a temperature of only 2.7 kelvins.
RACHEL
Or 2.7 degrees Celsius above absolute zero.
PAUL
Your old analog television set can see some of this cosmic background radiation.
RACHEL
It appears as some of the static a television displays when tuned to a blank channel.
PAUL
Finally, happy birthday Mt. Palomar!
RACHEL
The observatory celebrates its 80th birthday on June 3rd.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of June.
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.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 30th and 31st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 30th and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon parks close to Saturn early on the morning of the 31st.
PAUL
And even better, there are lots of star clusters and nebulae just left of the moon.
RACHEL
Saturn is currently located in the constellation of Sagittarius the Archer.
PAUL
This constellation represents a centaur with his bow and arrows.
RACHEL
But really, it looks more like a teapot of eight stars.
PAUL
Its handle is four stars on the left side of the constellation…
RACHEL
…and its spout is three stars on the right.
PAUL
In dark skies, you’ll see the Milky Way rising out of the spout of the Sagittarius teapot.
RACHEL
So the Milky Way looks a lot like steam coming up from the spout.
PAUL
Now Saturn is the mellow yellow star to the moon’s lower left.
RACHEL
And the star clusters and nebulae are about eight lunar diameters to the moon’s left.
PAUL
Unfortunately, binoculars are no help in viewing Saturn because the planet requires more magnification.
RACHEL
However, binoculars are very useful for the star clusters and nebulae.
PAUL
To see them, put the moon on the right side of your view and then scan a broad area on the left side of your binoculars for small fuzzy patches.
RACHEL
And if you find a small and perfectly-shaped circle of fuzz…
PAUL
…that will be a globular star cluster.
RACHEL
If you aimed even a moderate telescope at a globular star cluster, you’d find it’s packed with stars.
PAUL
Globular clusters have a stellar population anywhere from hundreds of thousands to a million stars.
RACHEL
Just imagine what the nighttime sky inside a globular star cluster must look like.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 30th and 31st of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 30th and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon parks close to Saturn early on the morning of the 31st.
PAUL
And even better, there are lots of star clusters and nebulae just left of the moon.
RACHEL
Saturn is currently located in the constellation of Sagittarius the Archer.
PAUL
This constellation represents a centaur with his bow and arrows.
RACHEL
But really, it looks more like a teapot of eight stars.
PAUL
Its handle is four stars on the left side of the constellation…
RACHEL
…and its spout is three stars on the right.
PAUL
In dark skies, you’ll see the Milky Way rising out of the spout of the Sagittarius teapot.
RACHEL
So the Milky Way looks a lot like steam coming up from the spout.
PAUL
Now Saturn is the mellow yellow star to the moon’s lower left.
RACHEL
And the star clusters and nebulae are about eight lunar diameters to the moon’s left.
PAUL
Unfortunately, binoculars are no help in viewing Saturn because the planet requires more magnification.
RACHEL
However, binoculars are very useful for the star clusters and nebulae.
PAUL
To see them, put the moon on the right side of your view and then scan a broad area on the left side of your binoculars for small fuzzy patches.
RACHEL
And if you find a small and perfectly-shaped circle of fuzz…
PAUL
…that will be a globular star cluster.
RACHEL
If you aimed even a moderate telescope at a globular star cluster, you’d find it’s packed with stars.
PAUL
Globular clusters have a stellar population anywhere from hundreds of thousands to a million stars.
RACHEL
Just imagine what the nighttime sky inside a globular star cluster must look like.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 30th and 31st of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 28th and 29th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 28th and 29th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Dr. Frank Drake was born on May 28th, 1930.
RACHEL
Drake is an astronomer and best known for his equation for determining how many civilizations exist the Milky Way.
PAUL
His was the first such equation ever created and very important for the factors that it identified.
RACHEL
So we call it the Drake Equation.
PAUL
The equation is as follows, capital N equals R sub-star times f sub-p times n sub-e times f sub-l times f sub-i times f sub-c times capital L.
RACHEL
Whoa, we need to explain this.
PAUL
Okay. So capital N is the number of civilians active in the galaxy at any time.
RACHEL
R sub-star is the average rate that stars are formed in the Milky Way
PAUL
f sub-p is the fraction of stars with solar systems
RACHEL
n sub-e is the number of planets per solar system that could support life
PAUL
f sub-l is the fraction of potentially habitable planets that actually develop life.
RACHEL
f sub-i is the fraction of life-bearing planets that develop intelligence.
PAUL
f sub-c is the fraction of planets with intelligent life that develop communications that we can receive on Earth.
RACHEL
And capital L is the length of time that civilizations with communications can be detected on Earth.
PAUL
Astronomers and the Kepler space telescope are helping us understand the factors involving stars and planets.
RACHEL
But other factors, like the fraction of planets that develop intelligent life are completely unknown to anyone.
PAUL
So some have estimated we’re the only intelligent lifeform in the galaxy.
RACHEL
While others believe, we could be one of hundreds of civilians.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 28th and 29th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 28th and 29th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Dr. Frank Drake was born on May 28th, 1930.
RACHEL
Drake is an astronomer and best known for his equation for determining how many civilizations exist the Milky Way.
PAUL
His was the first such equation ever created and very important for the factors that it identified.
RACHEL
So we call it the Drake Equation.
PAUL
The equation is as follows, capital N equals R sub-star times f sub-p times n sub-e times f sub-l times f sub-i times f sub-c times capital L.
RACHEL
Whoa, we need to explain this.
PAUL
Okay. So capital N is the number of civilians active in the galaxy at any time.
RACHEL
R sub-star is the average rate that stars are formed in the Milky Way
PAUL
f sub-p is the fraction of stars with solar systems
RACHEL
n sub-e is the number of planets per solar system that could support life
PAUL
f sub-l is the fraction of potentially habitable planets that actually develop life.
RACHEL
f sub-i is the fraction of life-bearing planets that develop intelligence.
PAUL
f sub-c is the fraction of planets with intelligent life that develop communications that we can receive on Earth.
RACHEL
And capital L is the length of time that civilizations with communications can be detected on Earth.
PAUL
Astronomers and the Kepler space telescope are helping us understand the factors involving stars and planets.
RACHEL
But other factors, like the fraction of planets that develop intelligent life are completely unknown to anyone.
PAUL
So some have estimated we’re the only intelligent lifeform in the galaxy.
RACHEL
While others believe, we could be one of hundreds of civilians.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 28th and 29th of May.
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.
Monday, May 21, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 25th, 26th, and 27th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 25th, 26th, and 27th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon appears above a white spark of a star on the 25th.
PAUL
That stellar spark is Spica, the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
RACHEL
And it represents a spike of wheat in her hand.
PAUL
Even more interesting is the solar system that astronomers discovered in Virgo in 1992.
RACHEL
This was the first solar system astronomers ever discovered, but surprisingly, the planets orbited a pulsar.
PAUL
A pulsar is neutron star, or a star that has died in a horrific supernova explosion.
RACHEL
So just how could a solar system of three planets survive the explosion of their parent star, astronomers wondered?
PAUL
Perhaps the pulsar was originally two small white dwarf stars that spiraled into each other.
RACHEL
Their merger could have resulted in a neutron star and a thick ring of dust and gas.
PAUL
And that ring could later collapse to form planets.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, these planets have no chance of being habitable.
PAUL
That’s because the radiation emitted by their neutron star scours the surface of the planets free of water and atmosphere.
RACHEL
The result is three baked and burnt worlds orbiting the dim light of their deadly sun.
PAUL
Astronomers have named the pulsar Lich…
RACHEL
…which is an old English word for an undead creature able to control other undead creatures with magic.
PAUL
And the planets are named Draugr, Poltergeist, and Phobetor.
RACHEL
All names associated with the undead, the ghostly, or with nightmares.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th, 26th, and 27th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 25th, 26th, and 27th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon appears above a white spark of a star on the 25th.
PAUL
That stellar spark is Spica, the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
RACHEL
And it represents a spike of wheat in her hand.
PAUL
Even more interesting is the solar system that astronomers discovered in Virgo in 1992.
RACHEL
This was the first solar system astronomers ever discovered, but surprisingly, the planets orbited a pulsar.
PAUL
A pulsar is neutron star, or a star that has died in a horrific supernova explosion.
RACHEL
So just how could a solar system of three planets survive the explosion of their parent star, astronomers wondered?
PAUL
Perhaps the pulsar was originally two small white dwarf stars that spiraled into each other.
RACHEL
Their merger could have resulted in a neutron star and a thick ring of dust and gas.
PAUL
And that ring could later collapse to form planets.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, these planets have no chance of being habitable.
PAUL
That’s because the radiation emitted by their neutron star scours the surface of the planets free of water and atmosphere.
RACHEL
The result is three baked and burnt worlds orbiting the dim light of their deadly sun.
PAUL
Astronomers have named the pulsar Lich…
RACHEL
…which is an old English word for an undead creature able to control other undead creatures with magic.
PAUL
And the planets are named Draugr, Poltergeist, and Phobetor.
RACHEL
All names associated with the undead, the ghostly, or with nightmares.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th, 26th, and 27th of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 23rd and 24th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 23rd and 24th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Mellotte-111 is star cluster unfamiliar to most people.
RACHEL
Primarily because its stars aren’t very bright.
PAUL
Mellotte-111, or Mel-111 as its friends call it, appears large because it’s quite close to Earth.
RACHEL
In fact, only 280 light years away.
PAUL
And that makes it Earth’s second closest star cluster.
RACHEL
So it’s no surprise that this large star cluster consists of widely spaced dim stars.
PAUL
But in dark skies, stargazers can see it as a lightly hazy patch in the sky.
RACHEL
To locate this star cluster, locate the moon on the night of the 23rd.
PAUL
Then mentally draw a line between the moon and the bright star above the moon.
RACHEL
That bright star, by the way is Denebola, or Leo’s tail.
PAUL
Now draw a second line the same distance from Denebola, but slightly more to the left.
RACHEL
Lock your eyes on this spot and then scan that region with your binoculars.
PAUL
You’ll know that you have sight of the cluster when your binoculars are filled with an upside-down V pattern of stars.
RACHEL
In dark skies, your binoculars will show you over two dozen member stars.
PAUL
Most of the stars in Mel-111 that you’ll see are brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
And a star as bright as our sun would be just barely visible in binoculars.
PAUL
Over time, the stars of a star cluster gravitationally slip free of each other.
RACHEL
Meaning that star clusters like Mel-111 dissolve into the Milky Way galaxy over millions or even billions of years.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd and 24th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 23rd and 24th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Mellotte-111 is star cluster unfamiliar to most people.
RACHEL
Primarily because its stars aren’t very bright.
PAUL
Mellotte-111, or Mel-111 as its friends call it, appears large because it’s quite close to Earth.
RACHEL
In fact, only 280 light years away.
PAUL
And that makes it Earth’s second closest star cluster.
RACHEL
So it’s no surprise that this large star cluster consists of widely spaced dim stars.
PAUL
But in dark skies, stargazers can see it as a lightly hazy patch in the sky.
RACHEL
To locate this star cluster, locate the moon on the night of the 23rd.
PAUL
Then mentally draw a line between the moon and the bright star above the moon.
RACHEL
That bright star, by the way is Denebola, or Leo’s tail.
PAUL
Now draw a second line the same distance from Denebola, but slightly more to the left.
RACHEL
Lock your eyes on this spot and then scan that region with your binoculars.
PAUL
You’ll know that you have sight of the cluster when your binoculars are filled with an upside-down V pattern of stars.
RACHEL
In dark skies, your binoculars will show you over two dozen member stars.
PAUL
Most of the stars in Mel-111 that you’ll see are brighter than the sun.
RACHEL
And a star as bright as our sun would be just barely visible in binoculars.
PAUL
Over time, the stars of a star cluster gravitationally slip free of each other.
RACHEL
Meaning that star clusters like Mel-111 dissolve into the Milky Way galaxy over millions or even billions of years.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd and 24th of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 21st and 22nd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
There’s a close encounter in the evening sky on the 21st.
PAUL
But it’s an astronomical close encounter and not the extraterrestrial type.
RACHEL
Stargazers going outside early on the night of the 21st will see a star very close to the moon.
PAUL
That star is Regulus, which represents the heart of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
Regulus is also the brightest star of Leo.
PAUL
You might want to get your binoculars out for this one.
RACHEL
That’s because Regulus is on the right side, or the illuminated half of the moon.
PAUL
So the glare will be a little bit on the strong side.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, the moon will not cover up or occult Regulus.
PAUL
Although this does happen during some months.
RACHEL
One reason that the moon doesn’t occult Regulus every month is that the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted
PAUL
By 5 degrees compared Earth’s orbital plane around the sun, in fact.
RACHEL
That still doesn’t explain why the moon occults Regulus some years and not others.
PAUL
The reason for the variation is that the lunar orbital tilt spins in space.
RACHEL
So like a spinning top about to fall over, the direction that the lunar orbit’s tilt is leaning changes over time.
PAUL
In fact, in a cycle lasting 19 years.
RACHEL
And there are other astronomical motions to make things even more complicated.
PAUL
Combined together, they create irregular patterns to the occultation of Regulus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
There’s a close encounter in the evening sky on the 21st.
PAUL
But it’s an astronomical close encounter and not the extraterrestrial type.
RACHEL
Stargazers going outside early on the night of the 21st will see a star very close to the moon.
PAUL
That star is Regulus, which represents the heart of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
Regulus is also the brightest star of Leo.
PAUL
You might want to get your binoculars out for this one.
RACHEL
That’s because Regulus is on the right side, or the illuminated half of the moon.
PAUL
So the glare will be a little bit on the strong side.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, the moon will not cover up or occult Regulus.
PAUL
Although this does happen during some months.
RACHEL
One reason that the moon doesn’t occult Regulus every month is that the moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted
PAUL
By 5 degrees compared Earth’s orbital plane around the sun, in fact.
RACHEL
That still doesn’t explain why the moon occults Regulus some years and not others.
PAUL
The reason for the variation is that the lunar orbital tilt spins in space.
RACHEL
So like a spinning top about to fall over, the direction that the lunar orbit’s tilt is leaning changes over time.
PAUL
In fact, in a cycle lasting 19 years.
RACHEL
And there are other astronomical motions to make things even more complicated.
PAUL
Combined together, they create irregular patterns to the occultation of Regulus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of May.
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.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 18th, 19th, and 20th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 18th, 19th, and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Start checking out the moon out every night this week.
PAUL
You’re looking for earthshine on the moon’s dark portion.
RACHEL
It’s best seen through binoculars, but still visible without them when you know what you’re looking for.
PAUL
Hey, what pairs well with the moon?
RACHEL
Ummm, maybe a star cluster?
PAUL
Then stargazers are in luck.
RACHEL
For on the night of the 19th, the moon appears very close to the Beehive star cluster.
PAUL
You’ll need binoculars to enjoy this pairing.
RACHEL
And stargazers don’t need to leave town to see this outstanding star cluster.
PAUL
However, they should get out from under the street lights.
RACHEL
Begin by aiming your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Then look 5 degrees to the moon’s upper left.
RACHEL
For a sense of angular scale, most binoculars have a field of view of 7 degrees.
PAUL
This means you should shift your binoculars to place the moon just outside your view in the 4 o’clock position.
RACHEL
The Beehive will appear as a small sprinkle of stars at the upper left of the center of your binoculars.
PAUL
You should see around two dozen member stars in a small space.
RACHEL
Remember that all those stars were born from the same cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
And over millions of more years, they will drift apart.
RACHEL
So enjoy them now while you can.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th, 19th, and 20th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 18th, 19th, and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Start checking out the moon out every night this week.
PAUL
You’re looking for earthshine on the moon’s dark portion.
RACHEL
It’s best seen through binoculars, but still visible without them when you know what you’re looking for.
PAUL
Hey, what pairs well with the moon?
RACHEL
Ummm, maybe a star cluster?
PAUL
Then stargazers are in luck.
RACHEL
For on the night of the 19th, the moon appears very close to the Beehive star cluster.
PAUL
You’ll need binoculars to enjoy this pairing.
RACHEL
And stargazers don’t need to leave town to see this outstanding star cluster.
PAUL
However, they should get out from under the street lights.
RACHEL
Begin by aiming your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Then look 5 degrees to the moon’s upper left.
RACHEL
For a sense of angular scale, most binoculars have a field of view of 7 degrees.
PAUL
This means you should shift your binoculars to place the moon just outside your view in the 4 o’clock position.
RACHEL
The Beehive will appear as a small sprinkle of stars at the upper left of the center of your binoculars.
PAUL
You should see around two dozen member stars in a small space.
RACHEL
Remember that all those stars were born from the same cloud of dust and gas.
PAUL
And over millions of more years, they will drift apart.
RACHEL
So enjoy them now while you can.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th, 19th, and 20th of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 16th and 17th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 16th and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey stargazers, on the 17th look for the three day old moon.
RACHEL
Its thin crescent will be visible shortly after it gets dark.
PAUL
And remain visible in the low west-northwest until about 10:30 PM.
RACHEL
Stargazers will see that the moon has planetary company on the 17th.
PAUL
Its companion is Venus, or the Evening Star.
RACHEL
Venus will be so bright that you might see it first.
PAUL
The moon will appear fainter than Venus appears and be located to its left.
RACHEL
Your binoculars will give you the best view of the crescent moon.
PAUL
Unfortunately, you need a telescope to see the phase of Venus.
RACHEL
If you have one, then look at Venus before the sky gets very dark.
PAUL
That way, the glare of Venus won’t wash out your view of the planet’s phase.
RACHEL
Currently, Venus is located on the other side of the solar system.
PAUL
Meaning it has a gibbous phase, or that it appears almost full.
RACHEL
So Venus is nearly the opposite phase of the moon.
PAUL
However, Venus is approaching our side of the solar system.
RACHEL
And by September, the planet will appear as a crescent.
PAUL
And it’ll be a crescent large enough to be seen through binoculars.
RACHEL
So for now, enjoy the moon and Evening Star together.
PAUL
And watch the moon’s crescent increase in extent each night.
RACHEL
And for the appearance of earthshine over the next few days.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th and 17th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 16th and 17th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Hey stargazers, on the 17th look for the three day old moon.
RACHEL
Its thin crescent will be visible shortly after it gets dark.
PAUL
And remain visible in the low west-northwest until about 10:30 PM.
RACHEL
Stargazers will see that the moon has planetary company on the 17th.
PAUL
Its companion is Venus, or the Evening Star.
RACHEL
Venus will be so bright that you might see it first.
PAUL
The moon will appear fainter than Venus appears and be located to its left.
RACHEL
Your binoculars will give you the best view of the crescent moon.
PAUL
Unfortunately, you need a telescope to see the phase of Venus.
RACHEL
If you have one, then look at Venus before the sky gets very dark.
PAUL
That way, the glare of Venus won’t wash out your view of the planet’s phase.
RACHEL
Currently, Venus is located on the other side of the solar system.
PAUL
Meaning it has a gibbous phase, or that it appears almost full.
RACHEL
So Venus is nearly the opposite phase of the moon.
PAUL
However, Venus is approaching our side of the solar system.
RACHEL
And by September, the planet will appear as a crescent.
PAUL
And it’ll be a crescent large enough to be seen through binoculars.
RACHEL
So for now, enjoy the moon and Evening Star together.
PAUL
And watch the moon’s crescent increase in extent each night.
RACHEL
And for the appearance of earthshine over the next few days.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th and 17th of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 14th and 15th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
America’s first space station, Skylab, was launched 45 years ago on May 14th.
PAUL
Skylab was the converted third stage of the mighty Saturn V rocket that sent astronauts to the moon.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, Skylab suffered damaged reaching Earth orbit.
PAUL
But astronauts were able to repair well enough over two missions.
RACHEL
One of the tasks for Skylab astronauts was to observe the sun.
PAUL
You see, or don’t see, Earth’s atmosphere blocks a lot of solar radiation.
RACHEL
That means there’s a lot of solar information hidden from us by our atmosphere.
PAUL
Which is why a space-based observatory was been a goal of astronomers ever since the Space Age began.
RACHEL
The telescopes on Skylab were built into an unused lunar module descent stage.
PAUL
With their own solar array, the entire assembly was called the Apollo Telescope Mount.
RACHEL
The ATM, or Apollo Telescope Mount was attached to the top of Skylab by unfolding a scaffolding structure.
PAUL
The space station was pointed at the sun so the observatory’s telescopes could watch the sun from infrared light to all the way to extreme ultraviolet.
RACHEL
Behind the telescopes were film-based cameras rather than digital ones.
PAUL
So each telescope’s film cartridge had to be retrieved by an astronaut.
RACHEL
This meant making a spacewalk from the airlock to the top of Skylab.
PAUL
Astronomers (oops, was suppose to be Astronauts) performed this spacewalk or EVA at the end of their mission and prior to their return to Earth.
RACHEL
In all, three crews of three astronauts each spent a total of six months on Skylab.
PAUL
And some of our listeners might remember that the abandoned Skylab made a fiery returned to Earth back in July 1979.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
America’s first space station, Skylab, was launched 45 years ago on May 14th.
PAUL
Skylab was the converted third stage of the mighty Saturn V rocket that sent astronauts to the moon.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, Skylab suffered damaged reaching Earth orbit.
PAUL
But astronauts were able to repair well enough over two missions.
RACHEL
One of the tasks for Skylab astronauts was to observe the sun.
PAUL
You see, or don’t see, Earth’s atmosphere blocks a lot of solar radiation.
RACHEL
That means there’s a lot of solar information hidden from us by our atmosphere.
PAUL
Which is why a space-based observatory was been a goal of astronomers ever since the Space Age began.
RACHEL
The telescopes on Skylab were built into an unused lunar module descent stage.
PAUL
With their own solar array, the entire assembly was called the Apollo Telescope Mount.
RACHEL
The ATM, or Apollo Telescope Mount was attached to the top of Skylab by unfolding a scaffolding structure.
PAUL
The space station was pointed at the sun so the observatory’s telescopes could watch the sun from infrared light to all the way to extreme ultraviolet.
RACHEL
Behind the telescopes were film-based cameras rather than digital ones.
PAUL
So each telescope’s film cartridge had to be retrieved by an astronaut.
RACHEL
This meant making a spacewalk from the airlock to the top of Skylab.
PAUL
Astronomers (oops, was suppose to be Astronauts) performed this spacewalk or EVA at the end of their mission and prior to their return to Earth.
RACHEL
In all, three crews of three astronauts each spent a total of six months on Skylab.
PAUL
And some of our listeners might remember that the abandoned Skylab made a fiery returned to Earth back in July 1979.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of May.
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.
Monday, May 7, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 11th, 12th, and 13th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 11th, 12th, and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Astronomer Anthony Hewish turns 94 on the 11th.
RACHEL
Hewish, where have I heard that name before?
PAUL
In 1974, he won the Nobel Prize in physics for his discovery of neutron stars.
RACHEL
Actually, his PhD student Joceyln Bell discovered neutron stars.
PAUL
Hewish was Bell’s PhD advisor and she was monitoring the mysterious quasars.
RACHEL
Her research involved recording the rapid changes in their radio signals.
PAUL
And in November 1967, Bell discovered something different, a regularly repeating radio pulse.
RACHEL
The signal turned on an off precisely every 1.3 seconds
PAUL
The signal’s pulses were too perfect, so she suspected its source was terrestrial or a satellite in Earth orbit.
RACHEL
It turned out that it wasn’t, the signal actually originated among the stars.
PAUL
Half jokingly, Bell and Hewish referred to the radio pulsar as a LGM, or little green men.
RACHEL
On account of how perfectly regular and precise the signal was.
PAUL
After their discovery of a second source, Hewish and Bell were convinced that the source had to be natural and astronomical.
RACHEL
Research had showed that collapsed stars could generate such perfect radio signals as they spun.
PAUL
But first, the atoms in those stars had to be crushed into neutrons.
RACHEL
So the pulsars that Bell discovered are actually neutron stars that are beaming radio waves our way as they rotate.
PAUL
And today astronomers have discovered over 2,000 pulsars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th, 12th, and 13th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 11th, 12th, and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Astronomer Anthony Hewish turns 94 on the 11th.
RACHEL
Hewish, where have I heard that name before?
PAUL
In 1974, he won the Nobel Prize in physics for his discovery of neutron stars.
RACHEL
Actually, his PhD student Joceyln Bell discovered neutron stars.
PAUL
Hewish was Bell’s PhD advisor and she was monitoring the mysterious quasars.
RACHEL
Her research involved recording the rapid changes in their radio signals.
PAUL
And in November 1967, Bell discovered something different, a regularly repeating radio pulse.
RACHEL
The signal turned on an off precisely every 1.3 seconds
PAUL
The signal’s pulses were too perfect, so she suspected its source was terrestrial or a satellite in Earth orbit.
RACHEL
It turned out that it wasn’t, the signal actually originated among the stars.
PAUL
Half jokingly, Bell and Hewish referred to the radio pulsar as a LGM, or little green men.
RACHEL
On account of how perfectly regular and precise the signal was.
PAUL
After their discovery of a second source, Hewish and Bell were convinced that the source had to be natural and astronomical.
RACHEL
Research had showed that collapsed stars could generate such perfect radio signals as they spun.
PAUL
But first, the atoms in those stars had to be crushed into neutrons.
RACHEL
So the pulsars that Bell discovered are actually neutron stars that are beaming radio waves our way as they rotate.
PAUL
And today astronomers have discovered over 2,000 pulsars.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 11th, 12th, and 13th of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 9th and 10th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 9th and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Jupiter reaches opposition on the 9th.
PAUL
This means May is one of the best times to observe Jupiter in either a telescope or even binoculars.
RACHEL
Opposition occurs when Earth catches up to an outer or superior planet.
PAUL
As a result, we’re as close to the planet as we can get.
RACHEL
So it’s no wonder superior planets appear brighter at opposition.
PAUL
And through a telescope or binoculars, they appear at their largest.
RACHEL
Mars is famous for how much larger and brighter it appears at opposition.
PAUL
But Jupiter still does a fine job becoming a better astronomical target.
RACHEL
Through binoculars on the night of the 9th, you’ll see one of Jupiter’s largest satellites, Callisto.
PAUL
Callisto will appear as a faint star to Jupiter’s lower left.
RACHEL
A telescope, which has more magnification than binoculars, will show you three more satellites.
PAUL
Those will appear to the lower left of Jupiter while Callisto appears at the upper right.
RACHEL
Wait, first you said Callisto appears at the lower left and now you’re saying it appears at the upper right?
PAUL
Yep, that’s because a telescope inverts images while binoculars don’t.
RACHEL
Oh, I see. Unfortunately, the three other moons are close to Jupiter.
PAUL
Meaning the planet’s glare will make it difficult, or even impossible, to see them though your binoculars.
RACHEL
But as long as you use a telescope, you’ll see all four satellites.
PAUL
Just in backwards order from what your binoculars would show.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th and 10th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 9th and 10th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…
PAUL
…and Paul.
RACHEL
Jupiter reaches opposition on the 9th.
PAUL
This means May is one of the best times to observe Jupiter in either a telescope or even binoculars.
RACHEL
Opposition occurs when Earth catches up to an outer or superior planet.
PAUL
As a result, we’re as close to the planet as we can get.
RACHEL
So it’s no wonder superior planets appear brighter at opposition.
PAUL
And through a telescope or binoculars, they appear at their largest.
RACHEL
Mars is famous for how much larger and brighter it appears at opposition.
PAUL
But Jupiter still does a fine job becoming a better astronomical target.
RACHEL
Through binoculars on the night of the 9th, you’ll see one of Jupiter’s largest satellites, Callisto.
PAUL
Callisto will appear as a faint star to Jupiter’s lower left.
RACHEL
A telescope, which has more magnification than binoculars, will show you three more satellites.
PAUL
Those will appear to the lower left of Jupiter while Callisto appears at the upper right.
RACHEL
Wait, first you said Callisto appears at the lower left and now you’re saying it appears at the upper right?
PAUL
Yep, that’s because a telescope inverts images while binoculars don’t.
RACHEL
Oh, I see. Unfortunately, the three other moons are close to Jupiter.
PAUL
Meaning the planet’s glare will make it difficult, or even impossible, to see them though your binoculars.
RACHEL
But as long as you use a telescope, you’ll see all four satellites.
PAUL
Just in backwards order from what your binoculars would show.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th and 10th of May.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for May 7th and 8th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Let’s talk about Theodore von Karman and Virgin Galactic’s SpaceshipTwo today.
RACHEL
That sounds like an odd combination, since the first is an aerospace engineer and the second is a passenger-carrying spaceship.
PAUL
Sure, but von Karman died 55 years ago on the 7th and SpaceShipTwo successfully fired its rocket engine just last month.
RACHEL
Von Karman was Hungarian and he immigrated to the US in 1930 to escape the rise of fascism.
PAUL
While working at Cal Tech, he founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1946.
RACHEL
His work lead to the understanding of supersonic and hypersonic airflow.
PAUL
How air flows over wings at supersonic speeds is critical to the design of SpaceShipTwo.
RACHEL
Von Karman understood that as airplanes flew at higher altitudes, they needed to fly faster to remain aloft.
PAUL
That’s because the air density becomes less the higher an airplane flies and it’s the mass of air flowing over a wing that generates lift.
RACHEL
He determined that at an altitude 100 kilometers, an airplane would have to fly at a speed of 5 miles per second to stay aloft.
PAUL
Which is also orbital velocity.
RACHEL
That means technically, an airplane can’t aerodynamically fly at an altitude of 100 kilometers.
PAUL
That’s right; an airplane must astrodynamically orbit the Earth instead.
RACHEL
That’s why an altitude of 100 kilometers, 62 miles, or 328,000 feet is consisted the boundary for outer space.
PAUL
And in his honor, we call this altitude the von Karman line.
RACHEL
Which is the altitude that SpaceShipTwo is designed to carry its passengers.
PAUL
Meaning, you’ll become an astronaut once you’ve flown on SpaceShipTwo.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of May.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul…
RACHEL
…and Rachel.
PAUL
Let’s talk about Theodore von Karman and Virgin Galactic’s SpaceshipTwo today.
RACHEL
That sounds like an odd combination, since the first is an aerospace engineer and the second is a passenger-carrying spaceship.
PAUL
Sure, but von Karman died 55 years ago on the 7th and SpaceShipTwo successfully fired its rocket engine just last month.
RACHEL
Von Karman was Hungarian and he immigrated to the US in 1930 to escape the rise of fascism.
PAUL
While working at Cal Tech, he founded the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1946.
RACHEL
His work lead to the understanding of supersonic and hypersonic airflow.
PAUL
How air flows over wings at supersonic speeds is critical to the design of SpaceShipTwo.
RACHEL
Von Karman understood that as airplanes flew at higher altitudes, they needed to fly faster to remain aloft.
PAUL
That’s because the air density becomes less the higher an airplane flies and it’s the mass of air flowing over a wing that generates lift.
RACHEL
He determined that at an altitude 100 kilometers, an airplane would have to fly at a speed of 5 miles per second to stay aloft.
PAUL
Which is also orbital velocity.
RACHEL
That means technically, an airplane can’t aerodynamically fly at an altitude of 100 kilometers.
PAUL
That’s right; an airplane must astrodynamically orbit the Earth instead.
RACHEL
That’s why an altitude of 100 kilometers, 62 miles, or 328,000 feet is consisted the boundary for outer space.
PAUL
And in his honor, we call this altitude the von Karman line.
RACHEL
Which is the altitude that SpaceShipTwo is designed to carry its passengers.
PAUL
Meaning, you’ll become an astronaut once you’ve flown on SpaceShipTwo.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of May.
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.
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