Idaho Skies Transcript for the week of November 18th

PAUL

Welcome to Idaho Skies for the week of November 18^th. We’re your hosts, Paul…

STEPHEN

…and Stephen.

PAUL

The moon reaches third quarter this week. That means the moon only appears half full. But this time, it’s the western half of the moon that appears illuminated. Like the first quarter moon, shadows along the lunar terminator really bring out terrain features like craters and mountains. So concentrate your attention there. 

STEPHEN

There’s just one problem with observing the third quarter moon – it rises so late. You’ll need to go outside at around 1:00 AM to see the moon rise over the Boise mountain range. Stargazers observing the third quarter moon see a portion few people ever see. For example, its largest lunar maria, the Ocean of Storms.

PAUL

The Ocean of Storms fills the entire left edge of the moon. It’s the landing location of Apollo 12 back on late 1969. The crater of the ocean’s right edge is called Copernicus. It’s an impact scar 57 miles across. Astronomers estimate that the crater is relatively young at 800 million years old. That’s young for the moon.

STEPHEN

Moon watchers will find the third quarter moon inside Leo the Lion on the morning of the 20^th. Leo’s brightest star, Regulus is located to the moon’s right. The lion’s mane is the question mark of stars above Regulus. Farther away to the left is fainted Denebola. Denebola represents the base of Leo’s tail. 

PAUL

That’s Idaho Skies for the week of November 18^th.  

STEPHEN

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

For Idaho Skies this is Stephen…

PAUL

…and Paul.

STEPHEN

Dark skies and bright stars.