Idaho Skies Transcript for October 10th and 11th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for October 10th and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
…and Paul.

RACHEL
The three-day old makes its evening reappearance on the 11th.

PAUL
Since it’s so young, it won’t appear very far from the sun.

Which means it won’t be very high above the horizon either.

But if you look just above the southwest horizon at 8:00 PM, you should be able to the waxing crescent moon.

And you know what else you’ll be able to see?

RACHEL
Jupiter.

Our largest planet will appear just below the moon.

In fact, they’re close enough that both can be seen together in binoculars.

Jupiter may be easier to find since it’s a bright spark of light.

And not an extended crescent like the moon.

PAUL
From our perspective, Jupiter is traveling to the other side of the solar system.

But that’s really due to the fact that Earth travels once around the sun in just one year.

While Jupiter takes 12 years to do the same thing.

So in reality, it’s Earth pulling ahead of Jupiter and that makes it look like its traveling to the other side of the sun.

RACHEL
By the end of October, or perhaps the beginning of November, Jupiter will be too close to the sun to be seen.

Therefore, take some time out during the next two weeks to see Jupiter in the evening for the last time this year.

Jupiter will become a morning planet in the east sometime after early December.

And then an evening planet in May next year. 

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 10th and 11th of October.

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.