RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 7th, 8th, and 9th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon swims pass Leo the Lion by the evening of the 8th.
PAUL
Actually, on that night the moon is below Leo’s tail.
RACHEL
Wait, Leo doesn’t have a tail.
PAUL
Well, in the ancient past, Leo had a tail that ended in a tuft.
RACHEL
Oh I see. And that tuft is the star cluster named Mel-111.
PAUL
That’s right. However today, that star cluster is the hair of Queen Berenices and not a lion’s tail.
RACHEL
Have you tried looking at Mel-111 through binoculars?
PAUL
Yes I have. The star cluster is so large that it spanned the view of my binoculars.
RACHEL
That means that the cluster isn’t packed densely with stars, like some other clusters.
PAUL
That’s because the cluster’s relatively close to the sun and because its stellar members are escaping from one another.
RACHEL
To find Mel-111, draw a line from the moon and straight up to the bright star above the moon.
PAUL
That star’s name is Denebola, by the way.
RACHEL
Then go the same distance above Denebola and shift slightly to the left, or east.
PAUL
Aim your binoculars there and you’ll see a star cluster of star that appears as an upside down “Y”.
RACHEL
And you’ll see around 40 stars scattered through out your binocular view.
PAUL
And Mel-111 is visible without binoculars, but just as a hazy spot in dark skies.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th, 8th, and 9th of April.
PAUL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for April 5th and 6th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears next to a bright star on the 6th.
RACHEL
That star’s name is Regulus.
PAUL
Regulus represents the heart of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
So I expect Regulus appears as a red star.
PAUL
Actually, Regulus appears more orange than red, but that’s close enough.
RACHEL
Regulus is the star to the moon’s upper left.
PAUL
And the two are close enough together that a pair of binoculars will show both at the same time.
RACHEL
This is another example of how binoculars are useful in observing close encounters of the astronomy kind.
PAUL
Regulus is the brightest star along the ecliptic, or path the moon, sun, and planets take across the sky.
RACHEL
Its closeness to the ecliptic results in the sun, moon, and planets appearing close to it on a regular basis.
PAUL
Did you know that Regulus is a star four times more massive than the sun?
RACHEL
And three times wider at the equator?
PAUL
With its larger mass, Regulus will not live as long as the sun.
RACHEL
But it’s not massive enough to explode as a supernova.
PAUL
Regulus is only 79 light years away from the solar system.
RACHEL
That means you’re seeing Regulus as it actually existed in 1938.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears next to a bright star on the 6th.
RACHEL
That star’s name is Regulus.
PAUL
Regulus represents the heart of Leo the Lion.
RACHEL
So I expect Regulus appears as a red star.
PAUL
Actually, Regulus appears more orange than red, but that’s close enough.
RACHEL
Regulus is the star to the moon’s upper left.
PAUL
And the two are close enough together that a pair of binoculars will show both at the same time.
RACHEL
This is another example of how binoculars are useful in observing close encounters of the astronomy kind.
PAUL
Regulus is the brightest star along the ecliptic, or path the moon, sun, and planets take across the sky.
RACHEL
Its closeness to the ecliptic results in the sun, moon, and planets appearing close to it on a regular basis.
PAUL
Did you know that Regulus is a star four times more massive than the sun?
RACHEL
And three times wider at the equator?
PAUL
With its larger mass, Regulus will not live as long as the sun.
RACHEL
But it’s not massive enough to explode as a supernova.
PAUL
Regulus is only 79 light years away from the solar system.
RACHEL
That means you’re seeing Regulus as it actually existed in 1938.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for April 3rd and 4th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 3rd and 4th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches the first quarter phase on the 3rd.
PAUL
This means the 3rd is among the best nights this month to go on a lunar safari.
RACHEL
Even better, all it takes is a pair of binoculars.
PAUL
Stargazers will notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed with craters.
RACHEL
There are so many craters in fact, that if a new meteoroid struck the moon, it would not increase the number of lunar craters.
PAUL
That’s because the number of new craters created would obliterate the same number of old craters.
RACHEL
The Beehive is a wonderfully attractive star cluster that the ancients were familiar with.
PAUL
Of course, they didn’t realize it was a star cluster.
RACHEL
That’s right. To them, it was a fuzzy spot in the dark skies of antiquity.
PAUL
However, it only takes a pair of binoculars to see the true nature of this fuzzy cloud.
RACHEL
The only difficulty for stargazers is actually finding the Beehive star cluster, since it doesn’t appear near any bright stars.
PAUL
Fortunately, the moon is only six degrees away from the cluster on the might of the 4th.
RACHEL
So point your binoculars at the moon and then shift them until of the moon is in the lower right of your view.
PAUL
A smattering of stars will then appear in the upper left.
RACHEL
Your binoculars will show around two dozen stars in a tiny region of the sky.
PAUL
And it won’t be difficult to picture them as a swarm of bees around their hive.
RACHEL
Now that you know where the Beehive is located, see if you can locate it in dark skies without optical aid.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 3rd and 4th of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for April 3rd and 4th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches the first quarter phase on the 3rd.
PAUL
This means the 3rd is among the best nights this month to go on a lunar safari.
RACHEL
Even better, all it takes is a pair of binoculars.
PAUL
Stargazers will notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed with craters.
RACHEL
There are so many craters in fact, that if a new meteoroid struck the moon, it would not increase the number of lunar craters.
PAUL
That’s because the number of new craters created would obliterate the same number of old craters.
RACHEL
The Beehive is a wonderfully attractive star cluster that the ancients were familiar with.
PAUL
Of course, they didn’t realize it was a star cluster.
RACHEL
That’s right. To them, it was a fuzzy spot in the dark skies of antiquity.
PAUL
However, it only takes a pair of binoculars to see the true nature of this fuzzy cloud.
RACHEL
The only difficulty for stargazers is actually finding the Beehive star cluster, since it doesn’t appear near any bright stars.
PAUL
Fortunately, the moon is only six degrees away from the cluster on the might of the 4th.
RACHEL
So point your binoculars at the moon and then shift them until of the moon is in the lower right of your view.
PAUL
A smattering of stars will then appear in the upper left.
RACHEL
Your binoculars will show around two dozen stars in a tiny region of the sky.
PAUL
And it won’t be difficult to picture them as a swarm of bees around their hive.
RACHEL
Now that you know where the Beehive is located, see if you can locate it in dark skies without optical aid.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 3rd and 4th of April.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog at idahoskies.blogspot.com for additional information.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, March 20, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for March 24th, 25th, and 26th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The solar system is made of three types of planets.
RACHEL
The first type is terrestrial, like Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
PAUL
These planets have dense metallic cores and rocky mantles.
RACHEL
What atmospheres they have are low mass, compared to the mass of the planet overall.
PAUL
Then there are the gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn.
RACHEL
These planets have rocky cores that are more massive than the terrestrial planets.
PAUL
However, their hydrogen and helium atmospheres are far more massive than their cores.
RACHEL
In fact, the gas giants consist of 90% hydrogen and helium.
PAUL
And their composition is closer to the sun than any other planet.
RACHEL
So in the case of Jupiter, astronomers sometimes refer to it as a failed star.
PAUL
In other words, if it had more gas and it would light up like a second sun.
RACHEL
The final type is the ice giants, like Uranus and Neptune.
PAUL
These planets have massive cores and a thick mantle of gases.
RACHEL
But unlike the gas giants, their atmospheres consist mostly of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
PAUL
What the solar system does not have are Super Earths.
RACHEL
These have been detected in solar systems around other stars.
PAUL
A Super Earth is a rocky planet like a terrestrial planet, but as massive as Neptune.
RACHEL
That’s approximately four times heavier than Earth.
PAUL
I guess three out of four isn’t bad.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th, and 26th of March.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The solar system is made of three types of planets.
RACHEL
The first type is terrestrial, like Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars.
PAUL
These planets have dense metallic cores and rocky mantles.
RACHEL
What atmospheres they have are low mass, compared to the mass of the planet overall.
PAUL
Then there are the gas giants, like Jupiter and Saturn.
RACHEL
These planets have rocky cores that are more massive than the terrestrial planets.
PAUL
However, their hydrogen and helium atmospheres are far more massive than their cores.
RACHEL
In fact, the gas giants consist of 90% hydrogen and helium.
PAUL
And their composition is closer to the sun than any other planet.
RACHEL
So in the case of Jupiter, astronomers sometimes refer to it as a failed star.
PAUL
In other words, if it had more gas and it would light up like a second sun.
RACHEL
The final type is the ice giants, like Uranus and Neptune.
PAUL
These planets have massive cores and a thick mantle of gases.
RACHEL
But unlike the gas giants, their atmospheres consist mostly of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
PAUL
What the solar system does not have are Super Earths.
RACHEL
These have been detected in solar systems around other stars.
PAUL
A Super Earth is a rocky planet like a terrestrial planet, but as massive as Neptune.
RACHEL
That’s approximately four times heavier than Earth.
PAUL
I guess three out of four isn’t bad.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th, and 26th of March.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Idaho Skies Transcript for March 22nd and 23rd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Werner von Braun was born 105 years ago on the 23rd.
PAUL
Von Braun is best known for his work on the early American space program.
RACHEL
In the US, he helped create the Redstone missile.
PAUL
This is the missile that put the first American satellite into orbit.
RACHEL
The Redstone was further upgraded in order to launch the first American into space.
PAUL
In this case, Alan Shepard’s flight was suborbital.
RACHEL
However, Von Braun’s rocket work goes back to before World War II.
PAUL
As a student, he became excited by the prospect of space travel.
RACHEL
His excitement in 1930, lead him to join the VfR, an amateur rocket organization in Germany.
PAUL
Unfortunately, the Nazi party came to power three years later.
RACHEL
The German military wanted to use rockets to get around limitations set in the Versailles treaty that ended World War I.
PAUL
In their quest to secretly build rockets, they co-opted the VfR and some of its members.
RACHEL
This included von Braun.
PAUL
Many historians feel Von Braun was not totally innocent in this event.
RACHEL
Because he was willing to work with the current German government to advance his interests in rocketry.
PAUL
With the help of military money, Von Braun eventually perfected the rocket as a weapon of war.
RACHEL
The V-2 missile killed thousands of civilians.
PAUL
But far more slave labors died building it.
RACHEL
It’s a shame that an amazing tool of exploration began as a weapon of destruction.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Werner von Braun was born 105 years ago on the 23rd.
PAUL
Von Braun is best known for his work on the early American space program.
RACHEL
In the US, he helped create the Redstone missile.
PAUL
This is the missile that put the first American satellite into orbit.
RACHEL
The Redstone was further upgraded in order to launch the first American into space.
PAUL
In this case, Alan Shepard’s flight was suborbital.
RACHEL
However, Von Braun’s rocket work goes back to before World War II.
PAUL
As a student, he became excited by the prospect of space travel.
RACHEL
His excitement in 1930, lead him to join the VfR, an amateur rocket organization in Germany.
PAUL
Unfortunately, the Nazi party came to power three years later.
RACHEL
The German military wanted to use rockets to get around limitations set in the Versailles treaty that ended World War I.
PAUL
In their quest to secretly build rockets, they co-opted the VfR and some of its members.
RACHEL
This included von Braun.
PAUL
Many historians feel Von Braun was not totally innocent in this event.
RACHEL
Because he was willing to work with the current German government to advance his interests in rocketry.
PAUL
With the help of military money, Von Braun eventually perfected the rocket as a weapon of war.
RACHEL
The V-2 missile killed thousands of civilians.
PAUL
But far more slave labors died building it.
RACHEL
It’s a shame that an amazing tool of exploration began as a weapon of destruction.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for March 20th and 21st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Finally! Spring begins on the morning of the 20th.
RACHEL
Spring, by definition, begins the moment the sun’s path above Earth’s surface passes directly over the equator.
PAUL
A stargazer will notice that during the summer, the sun rises north of due east.
RACHEL
And that the sun sets north of due west.
PAUL
This is a sign that the sun’s path across the sky is higher in the summer.
RACHEL
And therefore, the sun’s path above Earth is above the equator.
PAUL
The reason why is because Earth’s spin axis isn’t straight up and down.
RACHEL
That’s straight up and down, relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun.
PAUL
Instead, Earth’s spin axis is tilted 22.5 degrees.
RACHEL
And when that tilt faces towards the sun, the sun appears above the equator for us in the Northern hemisphere.
PAUL
Also, the days are longer and the sun shines more directly upon the surface.
RACHEL
Which means Idaho experiences spring and summer weather.
PAUL
Saturn appears just three degrees away from the moon on the first day of spring.
RACHEL
So after waking up on the morning of the 20th, look for the moon in the southeast.
PAUL
Saturn will be the pale yellow-white star to the moon’s lower right.
RACHEL
The distance between them is close enough that they’re both visible at the same time in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of March.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Finally! Spring begins on the morning of the 20th.
RACHEL
Spring, by definition, begins the moment the sun’s path above Earth’s surface passes directly over the equator.
PAUL
A stargazer will notice that during the summer, the sun rises north of due east.
RACHEL
And that the sun sets north of due west.
PAUL
This is a sign that the sun’s path across the sky is higher in the summer.
RACHEL
And therefore, the sun’s path above Earth is above the equator.
PAUL
The reason why is because Earth’s spin axis isn’t straight up and down.
RACHEL
That’s straight up and down, relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun.
PAUL
Instead, Earth’s spin axis is tilted 22.5 degrees.
RACHEL
And when that tilt faces towards the sun, the sun appears above the equator for us in the Northern hemisphere.
PAUL
Also, the days are longer and the sun shines more directly upon the surface.
RACHEL
Which means Idaho experiences spring and summer weather.
PAUL
Saturn appears just three degrees away from the moon on the first day of spring.
RACHEL
So after waking up on the morning of the 20th, look for the moon in the southeast.
PAUL
Saturn will be the pale yellow-white star to the moon’s lower right.
RACHEL
The distance between them is close enough that they’re both visible at the same time in binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of March.
RACHEL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at Idaho Skies for this week’s event reminders and sky maps.
For Idaho Skies this is Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The Moon and Jupiter on the Morning of Pi Day
Getting ready to leave this morning, I had to take a moment to photograph the waning gibbous moon next to Jupiter. This was taken with a cellphone camera and without a tripod. So it's not the best, but not too bad either. I hope you had a chance to see the moon and Jupiter this morning like I did.
 |
| Jupiter is the star to the left of the moon and Spica is the fainter star to the lower left of the moon. |
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