Idaho Skies Transcript for June 8th, 9th, and 10th

RACHEL

Welcome to Idaho Skies for June 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

 

PAUL

…and Paul.

 

RACHEL

Stargazers who are outside before the break of dawn should be on the lookout for the moon.

 

PAUL

Because on the 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th the moon’s dark portion will be dressed in a faint illumination.

 

RACHEL

Its sunlight reflected from the larger and brighter Earth.

 

PAUL

Some of the ancient Greeks thought that earthshine was sunlight shining through the moon.

 

RACHEL

In other words, they though the moon might be transparent to some extent.

 

PAUL

It wasn’t until the 16^th century that the cause of earthshine was correctly explained.

 

RACHEL

In 1510, Leonardo da Vinci wrote that the cause of earthshine was sunlight reflecting off Earth’s oceans.

 

PAUL

He was correct that earthshine from the reflection of sunlight, but not from Earth’s oceans.

 

RACHEL

From space in fact, the oceans are quite dark.

 

PAUL

It’s caused by the reflection of sunlight from the much brighter clouds in our atmosphere.

 

RACHEL

Da Vinci’s explanation is why some people refer to earthshine by its other name, the Da Vinci Glow.

 

PAUL

Still, others call earthshine the moon’s ashen glow.

 

RACHEL

Finally, stargazers should keep their eyes on the western horizon for Venus this week.

 

PAUL

That’s because it’s forming a line with two other stars in Gemini the Twins, Castor and Pollux.

 

RACHEL

The alignment will be at its best on the 10^th.

 

PAUL

So look for this trio shortly after 11 PM when it finally gets dark

 

RACHEL

That’s Idaho Skies for the 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th of June.

 

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.