Idaho Skies Transcript for May 6th and 7th

RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for May 6th and 7th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...

PAUL
...and Paul.

RACHEL
It is a busy next few days; we have a meteor shower and several astronomical pairings to enjoy. 
 
PAUL
First, the Eta Aquarid meteor shower is not over yet. The moon is only two days old on Monday. This means its light won’t interfere with the shower. Just look for streaks of light originating from the low southeast. Your chance of seeing meteors improves after midnight. 

RACHEL
Then on the 6th, the two-day old crescent moon appears just below Aldebaran. Aldebaran is the brightest star in Taurus the Bull and the pair of them will appear in the low west-northwest. Look for a faintly yellowish star and then the moon just above it. Your binoculars will be perfect for this event. 

PAUL
Mars is approaching ever closer to the sun this spring. As it does, it gets farther away from Earth and fainter. This might make it difficult to identify from the background stars. However, there’s some help on the 7th. That evening, the waxing crescent moon appears four degrees away from the Red Planet. Mars will be the yellowish star to the moon’s right.       

RACHEL
Finally, be sure to get your binoculars out on the 7th. While they won’t show you any details on Mars, they will let you see a star cluster. The star cluster’s name is M-35 and it’s just above the moon. Place the moon at the bottom of your binocular view and then look for a small sprinkle of stars at the top.

PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 6th and 7th of May.

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.