Idaho Skies Transcript for March 15th, 16th, and 17th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 15th, 16th, and 17th. We’re your hosts, Rachel…

PAUL
…and Paul.

RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster will be an easy target this weekend.

PAUL
The Beehive is one of the largest and brightest star clusters. In fact, it can be seen outside of town under dark skies. It appears as a hazy spot in the center of Cancer the Crab. Of course, it doesn’t help that Cancer is such a small and faint constellation. So it’s easier to find the Beehive star cluster than the rest of Cancer the Crab.

RACHEL
Before the invention of the telescope, people recorded the Beehive as a nebulous patch in the sky. It was pictured as a manager or crib where two donkeys were feeding. Those donkeys are the two central stars of Cancer. It wasn’t until 1609 when Galileo turned his newly invented telescope to the Beehive that we understood its true nature. 

PAUL
Through his little telescope, Galileo counted 40 stars residing inside this fuzzy spot. Today astronomers know there are over one thousand stars inside the cluster. The apparent diameter of the cluster is 1.5 degrees, or three times larger than the moon. But you won’t believe this until you see them next to each other. 

RACHEL
And that’s what happens on Saturday night. Aim your binoculars at the moon after its gets dark, like at 9:00 PM. Then place the moon just above the 3 o’clock position of your view. The Beehive will appear on the other side of the binoculars just below the 9 o’clock position. Now does the Beehive look larger than the moon? 

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 15th, 16th, and 17th of March.

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.