RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 19th and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The seventh planet is too dim to see without visual aid in all but the clearest and darkest skies.
PAUL
But it’s bright enough that it can be seen through binoculars, even in town.
RACHEL
Of course, you’ll need to block the street lights of your neighborhood if you want to see it.
PAUL
Look for Uranus on the 19th when it’s just seven degrees from the moon.
RACHEL
Since most binoculars, like 7X50s, have a field of view of 7.5 degrees, you can see both the moon and Uranus simultaneously.
PAUL
This is an evening event, so wait until the end of dusk.
RACHEL
Then aim your binoculars at the moon.
PAUL
Next place the moon at the bottom of your binoculars in the seven o’clock position.
RACHEL
Then find the star in the middle of your binoculars.
PAUL
If you follow a line between the moon and that star, it will take you to Uranus at the other end of your binoculars.
RACHEL
Uranus is considered an ice giant by astronomers.
PAUL
That means it’s more massive than Earth and made of compounds that are frozen solid at its distance from the sun.
RACHEL
Therefore, Uranus has only one quarter the amount of hydrogen and helium as Jupiter, but lots of methane, ammonia, and water.
PAUL
Most likely, there’s solid core residing inside of Uranus.
RACHEL
And astronomers predict its diameter is only 6,000 miles.
PAUL
Or ¾ of the dimeter of Earth.
RACHEL
But it’s primarily icy and not as rocky like Earth.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th and 20th of February.
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.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Monday, February 12, 2018
Idaho Skies for Transcript February 16th, 17th, and 18th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon was new on the 15th.
RACHEL
Meaning that it was too close to the sun for Idaho stargazers to see that day.
PAUL
However, stargazers have a chance to see the moon on the 16th.
RACHEL
That’s when the exceptionally thin moon will appear next to the bright Evening Star.
PAUL
So shortly after sunset on the 16th, look for Venus in the low west southwest.
RACHEL
Venus won’t be difficult to find if you look at around 6:30 PM.
PAUL
Ahh, but the moon on the other hand...
RACHEL
...that will be a tough nut to crack, so you’ll probably want binoculars.
PAUL
Look just a little above and left of Venus.
RACHEL
There you should see an incredibly thin crescent moon.
PAUL
The moon will only be 24 hours old on the 16th.
RACHEL
Which is far younger than two or three days old when most people first glimpse it.
PAUL
After you spot the moon in your binoculars, try looking for it without them.
RACHEL
It will help if you have a clear and low western horizon.
PAUL
So you might want to drive up into the foothills around Boise.
RACHEL
Now if you can’t find the moon on the 16th, try again on the 17th.
PAUL
That day the moon will be thicker, brighter, and even higher above Venus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of February.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 February 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon was new on the 15th.
RACHEL
Meaning that it was too close to the sun for Idaho stargazers to see that day.
PAUL
However, stargazers have a chance to see the moon on the 16th.
RACHEL
That’s when the exceptionally thin moon will appear next to the bright Evening Star.
PAUL
So shortly after sunset on the 16th, look for Venus in the low west southwest.
RACHEL
Venus won’t be difficult to find if you look at around 6:30 PM.
PAUL
Ahh, but the moon on the other hand...
RACHEL
...that will be a tough nut to crack, so you’ll probably want binoculars.
PAUL
Look just a little above and left of Venus.
RACHEL
There you should see an incredibly thin crescent moon.
PAUL
The moon will only be 24 hours old on the 16th.
RACHEL
Which is far younger than two or three days old when most people first glimpse it.
PAUL
After you spot the moon in your binoculars, try looking for it without them.
RACHEL
It will help if you have a clear and low western horizon.
PAUL
So you might want to drive up into the foothills around Boise.
RACHEL
Now if you can’t find the moon on the 16th, try again on the 17th.
PAUL
That day the moon will be thicker, brighter, and even higher above Venus.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of February.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 February 14th and 15th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On February 15th, 1564, Vincenzo Galilei and his wife Giulia welcomed their first child to the world.
PAUL
Vincenzo and Giulia were citizens of Renaissance Pisa.
RACHEL
And their son Galileo Galilei was to become one of the most important people in the history of science.
PAUL
Prior to Galileo’s work, ancient philosophers, primarily the Greeks, were held as the standard bearer of knowledge.
RACHEL
Which is why educated European’s of the time viewed what the classical Greeks wrote as the truth handed down by authority.
PAUL
Galileo challenged that notion because he believed that empirical evidence always trumps authority.
RACHEL
So when Aristotle said that heavy objects fell faster than light objects, Galileo tested it.
PAUL
He found that there was virtually no difference in fall rate based on weight.
RACHEL
And that the minor difference he measured was most likely accounted for by air resistance.
PAUL
Now Galileo was not the discoverer of the telescope, but he was knowledgeable enough to make one after he heard about its discovery.
RACHEL
He was however, one of the first people to turn his telescope towards the heavens.
PAUL
And he was the first to publish his observations in common Italian so that every person could learn about his discoveries.
RACHEL
Prior to this, scholars published in Latin, which prevented most people from reading about new ideas and discoveries.
PAUL
Making empirical evidence the authority for knowledge was a threat to the old way of thinking.
RACHEL
So it’s not surprising Galileo experienced some opposition.
PAUL
However, his methods have persisted and created the modern, scientific world of today.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of February.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
On February 15th, 1564, Vincenzo Galilei and his wife Giulia welcomed their first child to the world.
PAUL
Vincenzo and Giulia were citizens of Renaissance Pisa.
RACHEL
And their son Galileo Galilei was to become one of the most important people in the history of science.
PAUL
Prior to Galileo’s work, ancient philosophers, primarily the Greeks, were held as the standard bearer of knowledge.
RACHEL
Which is why educated European’s of the time viewed what the classical Greeks wrote as the truth handed down by authority.
PAUL
Galileo challenged that notion because he believed that empirical evidence always trumps authority.
RACHEL
So when Aristotle said that heavy objects fell faster than light objects, Galileo tested it.
PAUL
He found that there was virtually no difference in fall rate based on weight.
RACHEL
And that the minor difference he measured was most likely accounted for by air resistance.
PAUL
Now Galileo was not the discoverer of the telescope, but he was knowledgeable enough to make one after he heard about its discovery.
RACHEL
He was however, one of the first people to turn his telescope towards the heavens.
PAUL
And he was the first to publish his observations in common Italian so that every person could learn about his discoveries.
RACHEL
Prior to this, scholars published in Latin, which prevented most people from reading about new ideas and discoveries.
PAUL
Making empirical evidence the authority for knowledge was a threat to the old way of thinking.
RACHEL
So it’s not surprising Galileo experienced some opposition.
PAUL
However, his methods have persisted and created the modern, scientific world of today.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of February.
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.
Idaho Skies transcript for February 12th and 13th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The 14th marks the 28th anniversary of the first solar system portrait.
RACHEL
It was a recommendation by Astronomer Carl Sagan that a Voyager spacecraft take a photograph of the solar system.
PAUL
This would be unique perspective since the Voyagers were on the outskirts of the solar system.
RACHEL
And it would be the same view that a visiting starship would have of our solar system.
PAUL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory finally agreed and selected Voyager 1 to take the picture.
RACHEL
It was actually 60 images, since from four billion miles away the solar system still spans more than a single picture.
PAUL
We find that the sun is still incredibly bright four billion miles away.
RACHEL
Sadly though, not all planets made it into this portrait.
PAUL
Because Mercury was too close to the sun’s glare...
RACHEL
...and Mars was too small and faint.
PAUL
By the way, Pluto doesn’t show up either, but it’s not a planet any how.
RACHEL
Earth appears as a pale blue dot, as Carl Sagan later described it in his 1994 book.
PAUL
And this pale blue dot just happened to lie on a beam of sunlight that result of solar glare.
RACHEL
Sagan reminds us that all the people of Earth and all their history resides on that single pale blue dot.
PAUL
So it’s a picture of all the people of Earth and their history in a single pale blue dot set in the vast blackness of the universe.
RACHEL
This is a powerful reminder that all the differences that keep us apart are very indeed tiny.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th of February.
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 February 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The 14th marks the 28th anniversary of the first solar system portrait.
RACHEL
It was a recommendation by Astronomer Carl Sagan that a Voyager spacecraft take a photograph of the solar system.
PAUL
This would be unique perspective since the Voyagers were on the outskirts of the solar system.
RACHEL
And it would be the same view that a visiting starship would have of our solar system.
PAUL
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory finally agreed and selected Voyager 1 to take the picture.
RACHEL
It was actually 60 images, since from four billion miles away the solar system still spans more than a single picture.
PAUL
We find that the sun is still incredibly bright four billion miles away.
RACHEL
Sadly though, not all planets made it into this portrait.
PAUL
Because Mercury was too close to the sun’s glare...
RACHEL
...and Mars was too small and faint.
PAUL
By the way, Pluto doesn’t show up either, but it’s not a planet any how.
RACHEL
Earth appears as a pale blue dot, as Carl Sagan later described it in his 1994 book.
PAUL
And this pale blue dot just happened to lie on a beam of sunlight that result of solar glare.
RACHEL
Sagan reminds us that all the people of Earth and all their history resides on that single pale blue dot.
PAUL
So it’s a picture of all the people of Earth and their history in a single pale blue dot set in the vast blackness of the universe.
RACHEL
This is a powerful reminder that all the differences that keep us apart are very indeed tiny.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th of February.
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.
Monday, February 5, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for February 9th, 10th, and 11th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mars is the orangish star to the moon’s right on the morning of the 9th at 5 AM.
PAUL
But don’t mistake Mars for the slightly brighter Antares, which is the star below Mars.
RACHEL
Antares is a red giant star that’s 550 light years away.
PAUL
The name Antares is Greek for Rival of Ares, or the Greek god of war.
RACHEL
Which is the Roman version we call Mars.
PAUL
The distinctive tint of Antares is similar to that of Mars.
RACHEL
This explains how Antares got its name; it looks a lot like Mars.
PAUL
And Mars just happens to be the planet passing close to Antares this winter.
RACHEL
Did you know that Antares is only 11 million years old?
PAUL
Wait, it’s a red giant. So Antares is nearing the end of its life in only 11 million years?
RACHEL
Yep. That’s because Antares has a mass 12 times greater than the sun’s.
PAUL
Its greater mass puts the squeeze on its hydrogen core.
RACHEL
The heavier mass creates enough heat and pressure to fuse the hydrogen in its core more rapidly than the sun.
PAUL
So Antares is really living in the fast lane.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 11th, you’ll see a pale yellow star below the moon.
PAUL
That star is Saturn and you should notice that it doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
RACHEL
To see the planet’s rings, you’ll need a telescope.
PAUL
If you have one, then go outside at around 6:00 AM to enjoy the ringed wonder of the solar system.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th of February.
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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mars is the orangish star to the moon’s right on the morning of the 9th at 5 AM.
PAUL
But don’t mistake Mars for the slightly brighter Antares, which is the star below Mars.
RACHEL
Antares is a red giant star that’s 550 light years away.
PAUL
The name Antares is Greek for Rival of Ares, or the Greek god of war.
RACHEL
Which is the Roman version we call Mars.
PAUL
The distinctive tint of Antares is similar to that of Mars.
RACHEL
This explains how Antares got its name; it looks a lot like Mars.
PAUL
And Mars just happens to be the planet passing close to Antares this winter.
RACHEL
Did you know that Antares is only 11 million years old?
PAUL
Wait, it’s a red giant. So Antares is nearing the end of its life in only 11 million years?
RACHEL
Yep. That’s because Antares has a mass 12 times greater than the sun’s.
PAUL
Its greater mass puts the squeeze on its hydrogen core.
RACHEL
The heavier mass creates enough heat and pressure to fuse the hydrogen in its core more rapidly than the sun.
PAUL
So Antares is really living in the fast lane.
RACHEL
On the morning of the 11th, you’ll see a pale yellow star below the moon.
PAUL
That star is Saturn and you should notice that it doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
RACHEL
To see the planet’s rings, you’ll need a telescope.
PAUL
If you have one, then go outside at around 6:00 AM to enjoy the ringed wonder of the solar system.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th of February.
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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for February 7th and 8th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears at the last quarter phase on the 7th.
RACHEL
So the 7th is the perfect time to view the moon through binoculars.
PAUL
But stargazers will need to go outside after midnight to see it.
RACHEL
You’ll be rewarded with lots of craters in the southern half of the moon if you spend a few minutes observing.
PAUL
After looking at the lunar craters, turn your binoculars towards Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star and it’s the star to the moon’s lower right
PAUL
After splitting the two stars of Zubenelgenubi, then aim your binoculars at the brightest star below the moon.
RACHEL
Stargazers will notice this star, which is slightly yellowish, doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
PAUL
That’s because the star is actually a planet.
RACHEL
Jupiter to be specific.
PAUL
When you look at Jupiter though binoculars, they’ll show you that the planet has company.
RACHEL
Its four large Galilean satellites.
PAUL
Finally, don’t forget Mars.
RACHEL
Which is much fainter than Jupiter and distinctly yellow-orange in color.
PAUL
Mars is located to the lower left of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll notice that Mars has a neighboring star that looks a lot like it.
PAUL
That star is Antares and we’ll have more to say about it next time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of February.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 February 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears at the last quarter phase on the 7th.
RACHEL
So the 7th is the perfect time to view the moon through binoculars.
PAUL
But stargazers will need to go outside after midnight to see it.
RACHEL
You’ll be rewarded with lots of craters in the southern half of the moon if you spend a few minutes observing.
PAUL
After looking at the lunar craters, turn your binoculars towards Zubenelgenubi.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star and it’s the star to the moon’s lower right
PAUL
After splitting the two stars of Zubenelgenubi, then aim your binoculars at the brightest star below the moon.
RACHEL
Stargazers will notice this star, which is slightly yellowish, doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
PAUL
That’s because the star is actually a planet.
RACHEL
Jupiter to be specific.
PAUL
When you look at Jupiter though binoculars, they’ll show you that the planet has company.
RACHEL
Its four large Galilean satellites.
PAUL
Finally, don’t forget Mars.
RACHEL
Which is much fainter than Jupiter and distinctly yellow-orange in color.
PAUL
Mars is located to the lower left of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll notice that Mars has a neighboring star that looks a lot like it.
PAUL
That star is Antares and we’ll have more to say about it next time.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of February.
PAUL
Be sure to follow us on Twitter @IdahoSkies 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 February 5th and 6th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
After midnight on the 5th, stargazers will see a bright white star below and right of the moon.
PAUL
This star is Spica and it’s the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.
RACHEL
Spica, by the way is the 16th brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
But you’ll find an even brighter star nearby.
RACHEL
Yep, it’s Arcturus and it’s farther away from the moon than Spica.
PAUL
You’ll find Arcturus to the upper right of the moon rather than the lower right like Spica.
RACHEL
Orange Arcturus is the brightest star of Bootes the Herdsman.
PAUL
And it’s the 4th brightest star in the sky.
RACHEL
One reason why it appears so bright is that it’s only 37 light years away.
PAUL
The other reason Arcturus is so bright is because it’s 10% heavier than the sun.
RACHEL
That extra heft means its fusing hydrogen into helium faster than the sun.
PAUL
Which also means it’s also living its life more quickly than the sun.
RACHEL
So even though Arcturus is only seven billion years old, it’s already used most of its allotted hydrogen fuel.
PAUL
For comparison, it will take the sun about ten billion years to do the same.
RACHEL
Astronomers aren’t sure, but Arcturus actually might be fusing the helium in its core.
PAUL
If so, then its core is surrounded by a shell of fusing hydrogen, which is adding even more helium to its core.
RACHEL
And that’s increasing the star’s diameter and brightness even more.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of February.
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 February 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
After midnight on the 5th, stargazers will see a bright white star below and right of the moon.
PAUL
This star is Spica and it’s the brightest star in Virgo the Maiden.
RACHEL
Spica, by the way is the 16th brightest star in the sky.
PAUL
But you’ll find an even brighter star nearby.
RACHEL
Yep, it’s Arcturus and it’s farther away from the moon than Spica.
PAUL
You’ll find Arcturus to the upper right of the moon rather than the lower right like Spica.
RACHEL
Orange Arcturus is the brightest star of Bootes the Herdsman.
PAUL
And it’s the 4th brightest star in the sky.
RACHEL
One reason why it appears so bright is that it’s only 37 light years away.
PAUL
The other reason Arcturus is so bright is because it’s 10% heavier than the sun.
RACHEL
That extra heft means its fusing hydrogen into helium faster than the sun.
PAUL
Which also means it’s also living its life more quickly than the sun.
RACHEL
So even though Arcturus is only seven billion years old, it’s already used most of its allotted hydrogen fuel.
PAUL
For comparison, it will take the sun about ten billion years to do the same.
RACHEL
Astronomers aren’t sure, but Arcturus actually might be fusing the helium in its core.
PAUL
If so, then its core is surrounded by a shell of fusing hydrogen, which is adding even more helium to its core.
RACHEL
And that’s increasing the star’s diameter and brightness even more.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of February.
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.
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