Idaho Skies Transcript for September 17th and 18th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 17th and 18th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
…and Paul.

RACHEL
The first quarter moon passed Saturn early on the morning of the 17th.

PAUL
And on the evening of the 17th, it appears to the left of Saturn.

RACHEL
This would be a good night to observe the moon and the region around Saturn.

PAUL
First, the first quarter phase is the best phase to observe the moon.

RACHEL
Because this is when lunar craters and mountains appear their most prominent.

PAUL
That’s because we can see the very long shadows they project across the lunar surface.

RACHEL
Craters are most plentiful in the moon’s southern hemisphere.

PAUL
And mountains are most visible in the moon’s northern hemisphere.

RACHEL
The lunar mountain chains ring the perimeter of the lunar seas.

PAUL
This is where the massive impacts that created the lunar seas lifted lunar crust its highest above the surface.

RACHEL
The mountains were frozen into the surface after the impacts.

PAUL
And some of them are as tall as Mount Borah, or 12,000 feet tall.

RACHEL
Now scan the region surrounding Saturn with your binoculars.

PAUL
You can’t miss Saturn; it’s the mellow star to the lower right of the moon.

RACHEL
The region around Saturn has several hazy spots that are visible through binoculars.

PAUL
Especially when observed from locations without a local street lights.

RACHEL
These hazy spots are either glowing clouds of dust and gas…

PAUL
…or star clusters.

RACHEL
And some of the hazy spots will even contain stars you can see.   

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th and 18th of September.

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.