Idaho Skies Transcript for August 22nd and 23rd

PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for August 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Paul...

RACHEL
...and Rachel.

PAUL
The moon glides past Mars on the 22nd and 23rd.

RACHEL
It’s impossible to miss Mars; it’s that bright orange beacon beneath the moon.

PAUL
Did you know there are eight active spacecraft at Mars right now?

RACHEL
Six of them are orbiters and the remaining two are planetary rovers.

PAUL
The oldest spacecraft at Mars is the American 2001 Mars Odyssey.

RACHEL
It’s an orbiter currently mapping the Martian surface and acting as a relay for both Mars rovers.

PAUL
Next is the European Mars Express.

RACHEL
It’s studying the Martian atmosphere.

PAUL
And it was recently announced that it probably located water beneath the Martian Southern icecap.

RACHEL
The next on-going Mars mission is the American Spirit Rover.

PAUL
It landed on Mars in 2004 and was still functioning last month before a severe dust storm settled in.

RACHEL
The American Curiosity Rover is the next currently active mission on Mars.

PAUL
Since it’s nuclear-powered, it’s still going strong.

RACHEL
Then there’s the Indian Mangalyaan orbiter, which arrived nearly four years ago.

PAUL
It was India’s first interplanetary space probe and is currently mapping the surface and looking for methane gas.

RACHEL
The next one is the American MAVEN orbiter.

PAUL
It’s exploring how Mars lost most of its liquid water.

RACHEL
And finally, the most recent arrival is European ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter.

PAUL
Its mission is to search for methane and other trace gases that might indicate life.

RACHEL
So when you look at Mars this evening, remember there are eight operating spacecraft and many derelicts there also. 

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd of August.

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.