DAN
Welcome to Idaho Skies for
the weekend of November 15th. We’re your hosts, Dan…
PAUL
…and Paul.
DAN
This weekend the moon passes through Gemini the Twins and
ends up in Cancer the Crab. On Friday, the moon appears next to Castor’s knee
and foot. Since Gemini rises in the east lying on its side, Castor is the top
twin this weekend. Castor is also the name of the fainter of the two brightest
stars making up Gemini.
PAUL
On Saturday night, you’ll find the moon closer to the head
of Pollux, the lower and brighter star of the Heavenly Twins. It’s odd that
astronomers named Pollux Beta Geminorum. Because calling a star the beta star
of a constellation typically signifies that its second brightest star.
DAN
While it doesn’t take a pair of binoculars to see Castor or
Pollux, the moon’s neighbor on Sunday will. If you aim your binoculars at the
moon at around 11:30 PM, you’ll find a scattering of stellar gems just below
it. That’s the Beehive star cluster and it’s even visible without optical aid
in very dark skies.
PAUL
Many ancient cultures were aware of the Beehive. Some of
them referred to this tiny cloudy spot as a manager. They called objects like
the Beehive a nebula, which means small cloud. Galileo was the first to
discover that optical aid turned the Beehive into a star cluster in 1609.
DAN
That’s Idaho Skies
for the weekend of November 15th.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information.
It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul…
DAN
…and Dan.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment