Idaho Skies Transcript for September 7th, 8th, and 9th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for September 7th, 8th, and 9th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
…and Paul.

RACHEL
The moon is new on the morning of the 9th.

PAUL
That means it appears as a waning crescent on the mornings of the 7th and 8th.

RACHEL
The moon is approaching the horizon along a steep path.

PAUL
Which gives stargazers their best opportunity to see a very old moon.

RACHEL
So look in the low east at about 5:00 AM if you’re interested in this challenge.

PAUL
And remember, a pair of binoculars will help you locate the very thin crescent moon.

RACHEL
However, the moon will be so thin that binoculars won’t show much in the way of lunar details.

PAUL
Did you know that the moon’s phase is the opposite of Earth’s phase as seen from the moon?

RACHEL
Meaning that if you were standing in the dark half of the moon facing us, you’d see a nearly full Earth overhead.

PAUL
That Earth would appear as a blue and white marble four times wider and taller than the moon appears to us.

RACHEL
And about 40 times brighter.

PAUL
But unlike the stationary moon, Earth would visibly spin on its axis.

RACHEL
So in as little as an hour, observant Earth-gazers would notice a change in the planet’s appearance.

PAUL
And because of the clouds, Earth wouldn’t look the same every day.

RACHEL
According to the Apollo astronauts who walked on the moon, the continents were not readily visible to them.

PAUL
Because both continents and oceans are very dark.

RACHEL
So they mostly saw Earth’s blue atmosphere and swirling bands of white clouds. 

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th, 8th, and 9th 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.