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.