Idaho Skies Transcript for January 21st and 22nd

Welcome to Idaho Skies for January 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Paul…

RACHEL
…and Rachel.

PAUL
Early risers will notice two bright stars in the low east before they head to work.

RACHEL
The stars are actually planets, specifically, Jupiter and much brighter Venus. Venus is slowly climbing higher each day while Jupiter is rocketing up. Over the next several days, observant stargazers will notice significant changes in the relative positions between these two planets. Binoculars are useful in observing Jupiter, but not usually helpful with Venus. 

PAUL
On the 21st, binoculars will show what looks like two satellites on the right side of Jupiter and none on its left. However, look closely; the satellite closest to Jupiter is actually two, one just above the other. The bottom satellite is Europa and the one above it is Callisto. The satellite farthest away from Jupiter is Ganymede, the largest satellite in the solar system.

RACHEL
On the morning of the 22nd, binoculars will show two satellites on the right of Jupiter and perhaps one on its left. On the right are Ganymede close to Jupiter and Callisto farther away. Europa will have orbited to the other side of Jupiter. A small telescope will show a fourth satellite on Jupiter’s left, and closer to the planet than Europa. This is Io, which was in front of Jupiter the day before.

PAUL
On the night of the 22nd, stargazers will find a pale orange star next to the just past full moon. The star is Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the Lion. The lion is a spring constellation and has two distinct halves. The first begins with Regulus at the bottom of a backwards question mark of six stars. These represent the back of Leo’s mane. To the left, or east of Regulus is the second half. It’s a triangle of stars that represents the hindquarter of the lion.

RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of January.

PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.

For Idaho Skies this is Paul…

RACHEL
…and Rachel.

PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.