 |
| Venus at the bottom of the image and Mercury in the upper right. Their spacing apart was nearly four degrees. Taken with a two second exposure and with six power optical zoom. |
Monday, March 12, 2018
Mercury and Venus
If you have a digital camera that you can mount to a tripod and take two second long exposures with, then try your hand at photographing Mercury and Venus this week. You'll need to try this as it's getting dark, the pair won't set very late.
Idaho Skies Transcript for March 16th, 17th, and 18th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon is new just after midnight on the 17th.
RACHEL
And that means its only 38 hours old on the evening of the 18th.
PAUL
But wait, there’s more.
RACHEL
That’s right. If you look for the moon on the 18th, you’ll also see Mercury and Venus close by.
PAUL
Since the moon is barely a day and a half old, it’s a very thin crescent.
RACHEL
Meaning it’s difficult to see without binoculars.
PAUL
So at around 7:30 PM on the 18th, aim your eyes at the low west.
RACHEL
You’ll find that Venus is pretty easy to locate, since it’s so bright.
PAUL
Mercury however, will be a little more difficult to see for two reasons.
RACHEL
Because Mercury is only half the size of Venus and it’s much less reflective.
PAUL
That means you’re looking for a darker world when you search for Mercury.
RACHEL
But in Mercury’s favor, it’s only half the distance from Earth than Venus.
PAUL
Still, Mercury is about 40 times fainter than Venus on the 18th.
RACHEL
And located a little ways above the upper right of Venus.
PAUL
Next, search for the moon, which is nearly the same distance away from Venus as is Mercury.
RACHEL
But the moon is located to the left of Venus.
PAUL
Seeing both Mercury and the thin crescent moon will be easier if you use a pair of binoculars.
RACHEL
However, you can’t use them until after the sun has set.
PAUL
Good luck and may you be successful on your astronomical quest.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of March.
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 March 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon is new just after midnight on the 17th.
RACHEL
And that means its only 38 hours old on the evening of the 18th.
PAUL
But wait, there’s more.
RACHEL
That’s right. If you look for the moon on the 18th, you’ll also see Mercury and Venus close by.
PAUL
Since the moon is barely a day and a half old, it’s a very thin crescent.
RACHEL
Meaning it’s difficult to see without binoculars.
PAUL
So at around 7:30 PM on the 18th, aim your eyes at the low west.
RACHEL
You’ll find that Venus is pretty easy to locate, since it’s so bright.
PAUL
Mercury however, will be a little more difficult to see for two reasons.
RACHEL
Because Mercury is only half the size of Venus and it’s much less reflective.
PAUL
That means you’re looking for a darker world when you search for Mercury.
RACHEL
But in Mercury’s favor, it’s only half the distance from Earth than Venus.
PAUL
Still, Mercury is about 40 times fainter than Venus on the 18th.
RACHEL
And located a little ways above the upper right of Venus.
PAUL
Next, search for the moon, which is nearly the same distance away from Venus as is Mercury.
RACHEL
But the moon is located to the left of Venus.
PAUL
Seeing both Mercury and the thin crescent moon will be easier if you use a pair of binoculars.
RACHEL
However, you can’t use them until after the sun has set.
PAUL
Good luck and may you be successful on your astronomical quest.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of March.
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 March 14th and 15th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Our solar system has two inferior planets.
PAUL
Whoa, isn’t that rather judgmental?
RACHEL
Not at all. Inferior planets are those that orbit closer to the sun than Earth.
PAUL
Oh, so you mean Mercury and Venus.
RACHEL
That’s right. And both of them are visible tonight.
PAUL
But they’re rather close to the western horizon, so you’ll need to look for them shortly after sunset.
RACHEL
Look for Venus first, as it’s the brightest and easiest to find.
PAUL
The Evening Star is very very low in the west.
RACHEL
Mercury is fainter than Venus and located to the planet’s upper right.
PAUL
This week is special for Mercury because it reaches its greatest eastern elongation on the 15th.
RACHEL
So on that morning, the planet will be 18 degrees from the sun.
PAUL
This means it’s nearly at its highest elevation above the horizon.
RACHEL
And so sets at its latest time.
PAUL
But for Mercury, this doesn’t mean a whole lot.
RACHEL
Since the planet orbits so closely to the sun, it never gets all that high anyways.
PAUL
Don’t let that stop you however from taking a few minutes to observe Mercury this week.
RACHEL
You’ll see its position with respect to Venus change significantly every night.
PAUL
Not many people have observed Mercury, including the 16th century astronomer Nicolas Copernicus.
RACHEL
So join an exclusive astronomical club and find Mercury sometime this week.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th 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 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Our solar system has two inferior planets.
PAUL
Whoa, isn’t that rather judgmental?
RACHEL
Not at all. Inferior planets are those that orbit closer to the sun than Earth.
PAUL
Oh, so you mean Mercury and Venus.
RACHEL
That’s right. And both of them are visible tonight.
PAUL
But they’re rather close to the western horizon, so you’ll need to look for them shortly after sunset.
RACHEL
Look for Venus first, as it’s the brightest and easiest to find.
PAUL
The Evening Star is very very low in the west.
RACHEL
Mercury is fainter than Venus and located to the planet’s upper right.
PAUL
This week is special for Mercury because it reaches its greatest eastern elongation on the 15th.
RACHEL
So on that morning, the planet will be 18 degrees from the sun.
PAUL
This means it’s nearly at its highest elevation above the horizon.
RACHEL
And so sets at its latest time.
PAUL
But for Mercury, this doesn’t mean a whole lot.
RACHEL
Since the planet orbits so closely to the sun, it never gets all that high anyways.
PAUL
Don’t let that stop you however from taking a few minutes to observe Mercury this week.
RACHEL
You’ll see its position with respect to Venus change significantly every night.
PAUL
Not many people have observed Mercury, including the 16th century astronomer Nicolas Copernicus.
RACHEL
So join an exclusive astronomical club and find Mercury sometime this week.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th 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 12th and 13th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
March 13th is a rather important astronomical day for two reasons.
RACHEL
Let’s start with March 13th 1781 when astronomer William Herschel discovered what he thought was a new comet.
PAUL
Comet discoveries were one of the major goals of astronomers back then.
RACHEL
And almost none of them seriously considered there could be additional planets in the solar system.
PAUL
Especially since no one had discovered a new planet in thousands of years.
RACHEL
But it wasn’t long before Herschel noticed that his new comet didn’t have the fuzzy appearance he expected.
PAUL
That’s when Herschel realized he actually had discovered the solar system’s 7th planet.
RACHEL
He wanted to name it after the current king of England, but the astronomical community quashed that idea.
PAUL
Instead, astronomers gave it the Roman name of Uranus.
RACHEL
In mythology, Uranus is the father of the Roman god Saturn and the grandfather of Jupiter.
PAUL
One hundred and forty-nine years after Herschel’s discovery of Uranus, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh announced his discovery of a new planet in 1930.
RACHEL
Some astronomers predicted the existence of this planet because of discrepancies in the position of Uranus (oops, I meant Neptune).
PAUL
These orbital discrepancies didn’t actually exist; astronomers had made errors in their calculations.
RACHEL
But the existence of this planet couldn’t be denied.
PAUL
From a recommendation by Venetia Burney, astronomers named the new planet Pluto.
RACHEL
We’ve since learned that Pluto is not actually a planet.
PAUL
It’s one of thousands of icy bodies orbiting the outer reaches of the solar system.
RACHEL
Lose one planet; gain a belt of thousands of icy bodies.
PAUL
Sounds like a fair trade to me.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th of March.
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 March 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
March 13th is a rather important astronomical day for two reasons.
RACHEL
Let’s start with March 13th 1781 when astronomer William Herschel discovered what he thought was a new comet.
PAUL
Comet discoveries were one of the major goals of astronomers back then.
RACHEL
And almost none of them seriously considered there could be additional planets in the solar system.
PAUL
Especially since no one had discovered a new planet in thousands of years.
RACHEL
But it wasn’t long before Herschel noticed that his new comet didn’t have the fuzzy appearance he expected.
PAUL
That’s when Herschel realized he actually had discovered the solar system’s 7th planet.
RACHEL
He wanted to name it after the current king of England, but the astronomical community quashed that idea.
PAUL
Instead, astronomers gave it the Roman name of Uranus.
RACHEL
In mythology, Uranus is the father of the Roman god Saturn and the grandfather of Jupiter.
PAUL
One hundred and forty-nine years after Herschel’s discovery of Uranus, astronomer Clyde Tombaugh announced his discovery of a new planet in 1930.
RACHEL
Some astronomers predicted the existence of this planet because of discrepancies in the position of Uranus (oops, I meant Neptune).
PAUL
These orbital discrepancies didn’t actually exist; astronomers had made errors in their calculations.
RACHEL
But the existence of this planet couldn’t be denied.
PAUL
From a recommendation by Venetia Burney, astronomers named the new planet Pluto.
RACHEL
We’ve since learned that Pluto is not actually a planet.
PAUL
It’s one of thousands of icy bodies orbiting the outer reaches of the solar system.
RACHEL
Lose one planet; gain a belt of thousands of icy bodies.
PAUL
Sounds like a fair trade to me.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th of March.
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.
Monday, March 5, 2018
Idaho Skies Transcript for March 9th, 10th, and 11th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The last quarter moon visits star clusters and Saturn this weekend.
PAUL
When the moon rises after midnight of the 9th and 10th, it will only be half full.
RACHEL
This is the best lunar phase for binocular users.
PAUL
So scan along the terminator, or boundary between lunar day and night to see its many craters and mountains.
RACHEL
The long shadows cast by the rising sun make small lunar details visible through binoculars.
PAUL
After midnight on the 10th, scan the region around the moon with your binoculars.
RACHEL
You’ll see several fuzzy patches and even small clumps of stars.
PAUL
These are some of the many nebulae and star clusters surrounding the moon.
RACHEL
This region of the sky is particularly rich in star clusters and nebula because it’s close to the galactic center.
PAUL
Which is where most of the galaxy’s stars are located
RACHEL
Stargazers will also notice there’s a mellow-yellow star to the moon’s left that doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
PAUL
It’s Saturn, the solar system’s sixth planet.
RACHEL
Orangish Mars is located the same distance from the moon, but on the moon’s right.
PAUL
And like Mars, Saturn is too far away to appear as anything other than a star in binoculars.
RACHEL
But if you have a telescope, or even spotting scope, you can see its rings and largest satellite.
PAUL
That large satellite is Titan, the second largest in the solar system.
RACHEL
And a telescope only needs 25 magnification to see both the rings and Titan.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th 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 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The last quarter moon visits star clusters and Saturn this weekend.
PAUL
When the moon rises after midnight of the 9th and 10th, it will only be half full.
RACHEL
This is the best lunar phase for binocular users.
PAUL
So scan along the terminator, or boundary between lunar day and night to see its many craters and mountains.
RACHEL
The long shadows cast by the rising sun make small lunar details visible through binoculars.
PAUL
After midnight on the 10th, scan the region around the moon with your binoculars.
RACHEL
You’ll see several fuzzy patches and even small clumps of stars.
PAUL
These are some of the many nebulae and star clusters surrounding the moon.
RACHEL
This region of the sky is particularly rich in star clusters and nebula because it’s close to the galactic center.
PAUL
Which is where most of the galaxy’s stars are located
RACHEL
Stargazers will also notice there’s a mellow-yellow star to the moon’s left that doesn’t twinkle like the other stars.
PAUL
It’s Saturn, the solar system’s sixth planet.
RACHEL
Orangish Mars is located the same distance from the moon, but on the moon’s right.
PAUL
And like Mars, Saturn is too far away to appear as anything other than a star in binoculars.
RACHEL
But if you have a telescope, or even spotting scope, you can see its rings and largest satellite.
PAUL
That large satellite is Titan, the second largest in the solar system.
RACHEL
And a telescope only needs 25 magnification to see both the rings and Titan.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 9th, 10th, and 11th 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 7th and 8th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers outside late on the 8th and early on the 9th will have an easy time locating Mars.
RACHEL
That’s because Mars is the yellowish-orange star at the moon’s lower left.
PAUL
Did you know that Mars is approaching opposition this year?
RACHEL
Opposition? What’s that?
PAUL
Opposition is the astronomical term for when a planet appears opposite the sun in our sky.
RACHEL
This can only occur for planets that orbit the sun beyond Earth’s orbit.
PAUL
It’s a time when Earth is on the line between the sun and the planet at opposition.
RACHEL
At opposition, the planet rises at sunset and sets are sunrise.
PAUL
And at opposition, an outer planet is it’s closest to Earth.
RACHEL
Meaning it appears brighter than normal in our night-time sky.
PAUL
Mars is best viewed later this year, but its opposition’s isn’t helpful to stargazers who don’t have a serious telescope.
RACHEL
That’s because Mars is so small that even at its closest, its disk is still pretty small.
PAUL
However, in a good telescope and calm skies, astronomers can observe faint markings on the disk of Mars.
RACHEL
These marking have names like Syrtis Major and Nix Olympia.
PAUL
Astronomers are also able to see clouds on Mars.
RACHEL
And ice caps at the planet’s polar regions.
PAUL
These marking fooled some astronomers into thinking that Mars was more Earth-like than it really is.
RACHEL
Spacecraft have taught us that Mars is still a pretty neat place.
PAUL
But it would have been more exciting if it were Barsoom.
RACHEL
And humans were sharing adventures with Green Martians like Tars Tarkas.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of March.
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 March 7th and 8th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Stargazers outside late on the 8th and early on the 9th will have an easy time locating Mars.
RACHEL
That’s because Mars is the yellowish-orange star at the moon’s lower left.
PAUL
Did you know that Mars is approaching opposition this year?
RACHEL
Opposition? What’s that?
PAUL
Opposition is the astronomical term for when a planet appears opposite the sun in our sky.
RACHEL
This can only occur for planets that orbit the sun beyond Earth’s orbit.
PAUL
It’s a time when Earth is on the line between the sun and the planet at opposition.
RACHEL
At opposition, the planet rises at sunset and sets are sunrise.
PAUL
And at opposition, an outer planet is it’s closest to Earth.
RACHEL
Meaning it appears brighter than normal in our night-time sky.
PAUL
Mars is best viewed later this year, but its opposition’s isn’t helpful to stargazers who don’t have a serious telescope.
RACHEL
That’s because Mars is so small that even at its closest, its disk is still pretty small.
PAUL
However, in a good telescope and calm skies, astronomers can observe faint markings on the disk of Mars.
RACHEL
These marking have names like Syrtis Major and Nix Olympia.
PAUL
Astronomers are also able to see clouds on Mars.
RACHEL
And ice caps at the planet’s polar regions.
PAUL
These marking fooled some astronomers into thinking that Mars was more Earth-like than it really is.
RACHEL
Spacecraft have taught us that Mars is still a pretty neat place.
PAUL
But it would have been more exciting if it were Barsoom.
RACHEL
And humans were sharing adventures with Green Martians like Tars Tarkas.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 7th and 8th of March.
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 March 5th and 6th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mercury and Venus make a close approach on the evening of the 5th and 6th.
PAUL
This is a very early evening event, so you’ll need to look for the pair shortly after sunset.
RACHEL
Just after 7:00 PM would be a good time, in fact.
PAUL
Stargazers won’t have much time to observe this pair because they’re so close to the sun.
RACHEL
And therefore, also close to the horizon.
PAUL
So stargazers have until 7:30 before the pair sets.
RACHEL
To find them, start searching in the very low west for Venus.
PAUL
It will be the only bright star that you’ll observe in that part of the sky.
RACHEL
Little Mercury is fainter and appears to the upper right of Venus.
PAUL
The spacing between them is very small, only 1.5 degrees.
RACHEL
Which is an angle a little wider than your thumb when viewed at the end of your outstretched arm.
PAUL
Stargazers will find binoculars helpful, since they’ll make Mercury appear brighter.
RACHEL
However, don’t use them until after the sun sets.
PAUL
Next, early risers will find the moon next to Jupiter late on the night of the 5th and early on the morning of the 6th.
RACHEL
Jupiter is that bright yellow-white star at the moon’s lower left.
PAUL
So get your binoculars out and start scanning along the moon’s terminator to see its many craters.
RACHEL
Then at Jupiter to see all four of its largest satellites forming a crooked line with Jupiter in the middle.
PAUL
From left to right, the moons are Callisto and Ganymede...
RACHEL
... and Io and Europa.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of March.
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 March 5th and 6th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Mercury and Venus make a close approach on the evening of the 5th and 6th.
PAUL
This is a very early evening event, so you’ll need to look for the pair shortly after sunset.
RACHEL
Just after 7:00 PM would be a good time, in fact.
PAUL
Stargazers won’t have much time to observe this pair because they’re so close to the sun.
RACHEL
And therefore, also close to the horizon.
PAUL
So stargazers have until 7:30 before the pair sets.
RACHEL
To find them, start searching in the very low west for Venus.
PAUL
It will be the only bright star that you’ll observe in that part of the sky.
RACHEL
Little Mercury is fainter and appears to the upper right of Venus.
PAUL
The spacing between them is very small, only 1.5 degrees.
RACHEL
Which is an angle a little wider than your thumb when viewed at the end of your outstretched arm.
PAUL
Stargazers will find binoculars helpful, since they’ll make Mercury appear brighter.
RACHEL
However, don’t use them until after the sun sets.
PAUL
Next, early risers will find the moon next to Jupiter late on the night of the 5th and early on the morning of the 6th.
RACHEL
Jupiter is that bright yellow-white star at the moon’s lower left.
PAUL
So get your binoculars out and start scanning along the moon’s terminator to see its many craters.
RACHEL
Then at Jupiter to see all four of its largest satellites forming a crooked line with Jupiter in the middle.
PAUL
From left to right, the moons are Callisto and Ganymede...
RACHEL
... and Io and Europa.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 5th and 6th of March.
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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