RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 23rd, 24th, and 25th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon, Jupiter, and Spica form an astronomical trio on the morning of the 23rd.
PAUL
Earthshine should be easier to see the morning of the 23rd than it was a day ago.
RACHEL
You’ll need to be outside some time between 4:30 AM and 7:00 AM.
PAUL
That’s between the time of moonrise and the break of dawn.
RACHEL
Zubenelgenubi is a double star that appears as a single star to most people.
PAUL
Stargazers with binoculars won’t be tricked however.
RACHEL
That’s because it takes only a little magnification to split the star into two companions.
PAUL
Stargazers can find this double star for themselves on the morning of the 24th.
RACHEL
It’s easier that morning because Zubenelgenubi is the star below the crescent moon at 6:00 AM.
PAUL
You’ll find that the moon and Zubenelgenubi so close enough together, that you can see both at the same time in binoculars.
RACHEL
But just barely.
PAUL
Did you get a telescope on Christmas Eve or very early Christmas morning?
RACHEL
Then put a low power eyepiece into the telescope and point it at the thin crescent moon at 6:00 AM on the 25th.
PAUL
By the way, a low power eyepiece is one with a large focal length.
RACHEL
So a 25 or 50 mm eyepiece would be ideal.
PAUL
Stargazers will see earthshine illuminating the dark portion of the moon.
RACHEL
And sunlit craters nearly edge-on.
PAUL
Their shadows will be cast long...
RACHEL
...but those shadows are pointing towards Earth so we see them strongly foreshortened.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of December.
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.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Transcript for December 21st and 22nd
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Winter begins on the morning of the 21st.
RACHEL
So give a warm welcome to the winter solstice.
PAUL
Wait, solstice?
RACHEL
The word solstice means sun standing still.
PAUL
Standing still?
RACHEL
Sure. It refers to the fact that the sun’s point of rising on the horizon doesn’t appear to shift for several days.
PAUL
Oh I see. Normally, stargazers would notice the sun rises in a more northerly point during the winter and spring.
RACHEL
And rising more southerly point during the summer and fall.
PAUL
So on the first day of winter, that motion temporarily halts.
RACHEL
Hence the name, solstice.
PAUL
Early risers will find three astronomical treats in the low southeast on the morning of the 22nd.
RACHEL
First is a very bright Jupiter below the second treat, the crescent moon.
PAUL
The third treat is a slightly fainter star below Jupiter, the star Spica.
RACHEL
Spica is the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
PAUL
Finally, earthshine or the faint illumination on the dark portion of the moon may also be visible that morning.
RACHEL
A pair of binoculars will come in handy for seeing earthshine.
PAUL
Which is actually sunlight, but reflected from Earth first.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of December.
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 December 21st and 22nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
Winter begins on the morning of the 21st.
RACHEL
So give a warm welcome to the winter solstice.
PAUL
Wait, solstice?
RACHEL
The word solstice means sun standing still.
PAUL
Standing still?
RACHEL
Sure. It refers to the fact that the sun’s point of rising on the horizon doesn’t appear to shift for several days.
PAUL
Oh I see. Normally, stargazers would notice the sun rises in a more northerly point during the winter and spring.
RACHEL
And rising more southerly point during the summer and fall.
PAUL
So on the first day of winter, that motion temporarily halts.
RACHEL
Hence the name, solstice.
PAUL
Early risers will find three astronomical treats in the low southeast on the morning of the 22nd.
RACHEL
First is a very bright Jupiter below the second treat, the crescent moon.
PAUL
The third treat is a slightly fainter star below Jupiter, the star Spica.
RACHEL
Spica is the brightest star of Virgo the Maiden.
PAUL
Finally, earthshine or the faint illumination on the dark portion of the moon may also be visible that morning.
RACHEL
A pair of binoculars will come in handy for seeing earthshine.
PAUL
Which is actually sunlight, but reflected from Earth first.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 21st and 22nd of December.
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.
Transcript for December 19th and 20th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 19th and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers going outside after midnight on the 19th will find Leo the Lion sitting on top of the moon.
PAUL
Leo is one of the original 48 constellations recorded by the ancient astronomer Ptolemy.
RACHEL
Ptolemy was a Greek astronomer living in Alexandria, Egypt in the 2nd century AD.
PAUL
Leo was an ancient constellation for Ptolemy because the Mesopotamians recognized it as a lion 4,000 years earlier.
RACHEL
Residing inside the boundary of Leo is a star that astronomer Max Wolf listed as the 359th star in his catalog.
PAUL
He was developing a catalog of stars that were moving quickly across the sky.
RACHEL
This movement is called proper motion and a good way to detect stars that are close to the solar system.
PAUL
Today astronomers call the star Wolf 359.
RACHEL
At a distance of 8 light years, Wolf 359 is the fifth closest star to the solar system.
PAUL
The star appears in several science fiction stories, including Star Trek the Next Generation.
RACHEL
The star is so faint that a large amateur telescope is needed to see it.
PAUL
Why is it so faint if it’s so close to the solar system?
RACHEL
That’s because it’s a low mass red dwarf star.
PAUL
Astronomers discovered early last century that the lower the mass, the fainter the star.
RACHEL
In the case of Wolf 359, it only has 9% of the mass of the sun.
PAUL
That low mass comes with a benefit however.
RACHEL
Astronomers calculate that the star will continue to shine until a ripe old age of 8 trillion years.
PAUL
Which is almost 800 times longer than the sun.
RACHEL
So when the sun is long gone, Wolf 359 won’t even be 1% older.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th and 20th of December.
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 December 19th and 20th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers going outside after midnight on the 19th will find Leo the Lion sitting on top of the moon.
PAUL
Leo is one of the original 48 constellations recorded by the ancient astronomer Ptolemy.
RACHEL
Ptolemy was a Greek astronomer living in Alexandria, Egypt in the 2nd century AD.
PAUL
Leo was an ancient constellation for Ptolemy because the Mesopotamians recognized it as a lion 4,000 years earlier.
RACHEL
Residing inside the boundary of Leo is a star that astronomer Max Wolf listed as the 359th star in his catalog.
PAUL
He was developing a catalog of stars that were moving quickly across the sky.
RACHEL
This movement is called proper motion and a good way to detect stars that are close to the solar system.
PAUL
Today astronomers call the star Wolf 359.
RACHEL
At a distance of 8 light years, Wolf 359 is the fifth closest star to the solar system.
PAUL
The star appears in several science fiction stories, including Star Trek the Next Generation.
RACHEL
The star is so faint that a large amateur telescope is needed to see it.
PAUL
Why is it so faint if it’s so close to the solar system?
RACHEL
That’s because it’s a low mass red dwarf star.
PAUL
Astronomers discovered early last century that the lower the mass, the fainter the star.
RACHEL
In the case of Wolf 359, it only has 9% of the mass of the sun.
PAUL
That low mass comes with a benefit however.
RACHEL
Astronomers calculate that the star will continue to shine until a ripe old age of 8 trillion years.
PAUL
Which is almost 800 times longer than the sun.
RACHEL
So when the sun is long gone, Wolf 359 won’t even be 1% older.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 19th and 20th of December.
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.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 16th to 18th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon and Beehive star cluster are visible together in binoculars on the night of the 16th.
RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster is one of the few star clusters recorded by ancient civilizations.
PAUL
However, they didn’t know they consisted of stars.
RACHEL
That’s right. They could only see the them as fuzzy patches in the sky.
PAUL
Kind of like an out of focus star.
RACHEL
However, modern stargazers can easily see star clusters like the Beehive with their binoculars.
PAUL
First, aim your binoculars at the moon.
RACHEL
Then place the moon in the lower right edge of your binoculars.
PAUL
As you shift your binoculars, the Beehive star cluster will enter your view from the upper left edge.
RACHEL
Now the moon is going to be bright.
PAUL
That means its light will wash out many of the stars filling the Beehive.
RACHEL
So shift you binoculars away from the moon a bit more until only the Beehive remains.
PAUL
How many stars can you see in the Beehive?
RACHEL
In dark skies, you should see about a dozen stellar members of this cluster.
PAUL
To get an even better view, use averted vision.
RACHEL
That means shift your eyes to look away from the cluster slightly.
PAUL
That way the more sensitive part of your retina is focused on the star cluster.
RACHEL
This is an old trick that stargazers use to detect faint object.
PAUL
But it doesn’t let you see sharp details.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of December.
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 December 16th, 17th, and 18th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon and Beehive star cluster are visible together in binoculars on the night of the 16th.
RACHEL
The Beehive star cluster is one of the few star clusters recorded by ancient civilizations.
PAUL
However, they didn’t know they consisted of stars.
RACHEL
That’s right. They could only see the them as fuzzy patches in the sky.
PAUL
Kind of like an out of focus star.
RACHEL
However, modern stargazers can easily see star clusters like the Beehive with their binoculars.
PAUL
First, aim your binoculars at the moon.
RACHEL
Then place the moon in the lower right edge of your binoculars.
PAUL
As you shift your binoculars, the Beehive star cluster will enter your view from the upper left edge.
RACHEL
Now the moon is going to be bright.
PAUL
That means its light will wash out many of the stars filling the Beehive.
RACHEL
So shift you binoculars away from the moon a bit more until only the Beehive remains.
PAUL
How many stars can you see in the Beehive?
RACHEL
In dark skies, you should see about a dozen stellar members of this cluster.
PAUL
To get an even better view, use averted vision.
RACHEL
That means shift your eyes to look away from the cluster slightly.
PAUL
That way the more sensitive part of your retina is focused on the star cluster.
RACHEL
This is an old trick that stargazers use to detect faint object.
PAUL
But it doesn’t let you see sharp details.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 16th, 17th, and 18th of December.
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 December 14th and 15th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
For stargazers trying to identify Gemini the Twins, your friend is the moon on the 14th.
PAUL
That’s because it passes through the feet of Gemini the Twins that night.
RACHEL
The stars in Gemini form two horizontal rows of stars in the low east at 9:00 PM.
PAUL
The moon will be at located at the right end of the bottom row.
RACHEL
This row represents Pollux, the immortal half of the twins.
PAUL
The row of stars above the moon represents Castor, Pollux’s mortal brother.
RACHEL
In Greek mythology, the mother of Gemini Twins was Leda.
PAUL
But they had different fathers.
RACHEL
The father of Castor was Leda’s husband, Tyndareus, king of Sparta.
PAUL
But the father of Pollux was Zeus, king of the Greek pantheon of gods.
RACHEL
The Gemini Twins are considered protectors of sailors.
PAUL
And they are associated with St. Elmo’s Fire.
RACHEL
For listeners unfamiliar with St. Elmo’s fire, it’s a glowing electrical discharge from sharp-pointed objects.
PAUL
Sailors have observed St. Elmo’s fire emanating from the masts of sailing ships as they sailed through thunderstorms.
RACHEL
It occurs when the voltage difference between the sea and the clouds is great enough to turn the atmosphere around the mast into a plasma.
PAUL
Which is the same thing occurring in fluorescent lights when they glow.
RACHEL
There’s another way to picture Gemini, as the legs of a soccer player.
PAUL
The bright stars of Gemini then represent the hips of the soccer player.
RACHEL
And that means the moon is a soccer ball that Gemini is about to kick on the 14th.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of December.
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 December 14th and 15th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
For stargazers trying to identify Gemini the Twins, your friend is the moon on the 14th.
PAUL
That’s because it passes through the feet of Gemini the Twins that night.
RACHEL
The stars in Gemini form two horizontal rows of stars in the low east at 9:00 PM.
PAUL
The moon will be at located at the right end of the bottom row.
RACHEL
This row represents Pollux, the immortal half of the twins.
PAUL
The row of stars above the moon represents Castor, Pollux’s mortal brother.
RACHEL
In Greek mythology, the mother of Gemini Twins was Leda.
PAUL
But they had different fathers.
RACHEL
The father of Castor was Leda’s husband, Tyndareus, king of Sparta.
PAUL
But the father of Pollux was Zeus, king of the Greek pantheon of gods.
RACHEL
The Gemini Twins are considered protectors of sailors.
PAUL
And they are associated with St. Elmo’s Fire.
RACHEL
For listeners unfamiliar with St. Elmo’s fire, it’s a glowing electrical discharge from sharp-pointed objects.
PAUL
Sailors have observed St. Elmo’s fire emanating from the masts of sailing ships as they sailed through thunderstorms.
RACHEL
It occurs when the voltage difference between the sea and the clouds is great enough to turn the atmosphere around the mast into a plasma.
PAUL
Which is the same thing occurring in fluorescent lights when they glow.
RACHEL
There’s another way to picture Gemini, as the legs of a soccer player.
PAUL
The bright stars of Gemini then represent the hips of the soccer player.
RACHEL
And that means the moon is a soccer ball that Gemini is about to kick on the 14th.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 14th and 15th of December.
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 December 12th and 13th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
After it gets dark on the 12th, point your binoculars at the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll find it’s slowly drifting through the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
The brightest star appearing in the Hyades is Aldebaran and it’ll be located to the left of the moon before 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
However, the moon is on the move, so it covers up Aldebaran a short time later.
PAUL
When one astronomical body covers up another, it’s called an occultation.
RACHEL
And the occultation of Aldebaran begins at 8:12 PM on the 12th.
PAUL
You’ll want to start watching a good five minutes earlier.
RACHEL
That way, you have time to locate Aldebaran near the bright moon.
PAUL
Watch Aldebaran carefully, it will wink out before reaching the bright limb of the moon.
RACHEL
The disappearance of Aldebaran will be instantaneous, as the star is only 150 thousandths of a degree across.
PAUL
Its reappearance will be equally abrupt at 9:12 PM.
RACHEL
Except this time, Aldebaran reappears along the bright edge of the lunar limb.
PAUL
The bright edge of the moon will make it more difficult to detect the initial reappearance of Aldebaran.
RACHEL
So carefully watch the upper right edge of the moon before 9:10 PM.
PAUL
Stargazers will find two helpful star charts on the Idaho Skies blog and Twitter account.
RACHEL
The moon is full the next day on the 13th.
PAUL
Or the day it’s opposite the sun in the sky.
RACHEL
Meaning it rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.
PAUL
The full moon in November is called the Cold Moon by some Native American cultures.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th of December.
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 December 12th and 13th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
After it gets dark on the 12th, point your binoculars at the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll find it’s slowly drifting through the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
The brightest star appearing in the Hyades is Aldebaran and it’ll be located to the left of the moon before 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
However, the moon is on the move, so it covers up Aldebaran a short time later.
PAUL
When one astronomical body covers up another, it’s called an occultation.
RACHEL
And the occultation of Aldebaran begins at 8:12 PM on the 12th.
PAUL
You’ll want to start watching a good five minutes earlier.
RACHEL
That way, you have time to locate Aldebaran near the bright moon.
PAUL
Watch Aldebaran carefully, it will wink out before reaching the bright limb of the moon.
RACHEL
The disappearance of Aldebaran will be instantaneous, as the star is only 150 thousandths of a degree across.
PAUL
Its reappearance will be equally abrupt at 9:12 PM.
RACHEL
Except this time, Aldebaran reappears along the bright edge of the lunar limb.
PAUL
The bright edge of the moon will make it more difficult to detect the initial reappearance of Aldebaran.
RACHEL
So carefully watch the upper right edge of the moon before 9:10 PM.
PAUL
Stargazers will find two helpful star charts on the Idaho Skies blog and Twitter account.
RACHEL
The moon is full the next day on the 13th.
PAUL
Or the day it’s opposite the sun in the sky.
RACHEL
Meaning it rises at sunset and sets at sunrise.
PAUL
The full moon in November is called the Cold Moon by some Native American cultures.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 12th and 13th of December.
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.
Monday, December 5, 2016
Transcript for December 9th to 11th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The solar system’s 7th planet is just under 5 degrees from the moon on the 9th.
PAUL
That means stargazers can see it and the moon at the same time through binoculars.
RACHEL
To find Uranus, point your binoculars at the moon on the evening of the 9th.
PAUL
Then shift your view to the upper right until the moon is located in the lower left edge of your field of view.
RACHEL
Uranus will be the star in the upper right edge of the view.
PAUL
You can confirm it’s Uranus if it appears as the lower left corner of a triangle of stars.
RACHEL
For additional confirmation, the star at the top of the triangle will be about twice as bright as Uranus.
PAUL
Stargazers will find a helpful star chart on the Idaho Skies blog and Twitter account.
RACHEL
Stargazers wanting to locate Aries the Ram will appreciate the moon on the 10th.
PAUL
That because it’s located below the constellation that night.
RACHEL
Aries consists of four stars arranged in a slightly curved line.
PAUL
However, only three of them are immediately obvious.
RACHEL
The brightest star of Aries is named Hamal.
PAUL
And it’s the bright star located on the left end of the constellation.
RACHEL
In Greek mythology, Aries represented the Ram with the Golden Fleece.
PAUL
Stargazers should start taking some time to look for Mercury after sunset.
RACHEL
It reaches peak elevation above the horizon in a couple of days.
PAUL
Mercury appears as the only star in the low southwest at 6:00 PM.
RACHEL
Binoculars will help in locating Mercury.
PAUL
But don’t use them until after the sun has set.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th of December.
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 December 9th, 10th, and 11th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The solar system’s 7th planet is just under 5 degrees from the moon on the 9th.
PAUL
That means stargazers can see it and the moon at the same time through binoculars.
RACHEL
To find Uranus, point your binoculars at the moon on the evening of the 9th.
PAUL
Then shift your view to the upper right until the moon is located in the lower left edge of your field of view.
RACHEL
Uranus will be the star in the upper right edge of the view.
PAUL
You can confirm it’s Uranus if it appears as the lower left corner of a triangle of stars.
RACHEL
For additional confirmation, the star at the top of the triangle will be about twice as bright as Uranus.
PAUL
Stargazers will find a helpful star chart on the Idaho Skies blog and Twitter account.
RACHEL
Stargazers wanting to locate Aries the Ram will appreciate the moon on the 10th.
PAUL
That because it’s located below the constellation that night.
RACHEL
Aries consists of four stars arranged in a slightly curved line.
PAUL
However, only three of them are immediately obvious.
RACHEL
The brightest star of Aries is named Hamal.
PAUL
And it’s the bright star located on the left end of the constellation.
RACHEL
In Greek mythology, Aries represented the Ram with the Golden Fleece.
PAUL
Stargazers should start taking some time to look for Mercury after sunset.
RACHEL
It reaches peak elevation above the horizon in a couple of days.
PAUL
Mercury appears as the only star in the low southwest at 6:00 PM.
RACHEL
Binoculars will help in locating Mercury.
PAUL
But don’t use them until after the sun has set.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 8th, 9th, and 10th of December.
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.
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