RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 3rd, 4th, and 5th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon passes between two star clusters on the night of the 3rd.
PAUL
To the moon’s upper right will be the first star cluster, the Pleiades.
RACHEL
And to its upper left will be the night’s second star cluster, the Hyades.
PAUL
Both star clusters are excellent targets for your binoculars.
RACHEL
And stargazers will see that each star cluster has its own personality.
PAUL
One is tightly grouped and bright...
RACHEL
...while the other is sparse and not as bright.
PAUL
Hey! The moon’s going to cover up the brightest star of Taurus on the night of the 4th.
RACHEL
The star is Aldebaran, and it will disappear at around 8:13 PM.
PAUL
The event is best watched through binoculars.
RACHEL
Idaho Skies recommends stargazers begin watching Aldebaran at 8:08 PM.
PAUL
That way, they’ll have several minutes to get their astronomical bearings.
RACHEL
Then watch the moon’s dark upper left edge approaches Aldebaran.
PAUL
Since that hemisphere of the moon is still in night, Aldebaran will disappear before the bright limb of the moon cover its up.
RACHEL
Aldebaran reappears from the upper right edge of the moon at 9:11 PM.
PAUL
The exact moment of reappearance may be difficult to detect.
RACHEL
That’s because it takes place along the bright limb of the moon.
PAUL
And that means binoculars will be really helpful for seeing the star’s reappearance.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of March.
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.
Monday, February 27, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for March 1st and 2nd
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for March 1st and 2nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears very close to Mars and Uranus on March 1st.
RACHEL
Mars is the yellowish-orange star to the right of the thin crescent moon.
PAUL
And Uranus is the faint star two degrees below Mars.
RACHEL
For a sense of scale, two degrees is only half the distance between the moon and Mars.
PAUL
This means that the moon, Mars, and Uranus can be seen at the same time in binoculars.
RACHEL
By placing the moon on the left edge of your binocular view, Mars will appear just past half way across the view.
PAUL
And Uranus will appear one quarter of the way across the view below Mars.
RACHEL
The moon’s travels will lead stargazers to the asteroid Ceres on the 2nd.
PAUL
Ceres is a bright asteroid, but it requires a pair of binoculars to see.
RACHEL
To see the largest asteroid, aim your binoculars at the moon on the 2nd.
PAUL
Then shift your view until the moon appears on the left edge of your view.
RACHEL
One-third of the way across your view in the 4 o’clock angle is a faint star.
PAUL
That star is Ceres.
RACHEL
For confirmation, Ceres is flanked with two brighter stars to its right.
PAUL
They create a triangle pointing back towards the moon.
RACHEL
Finally, don’t forget that Comet Encke is still visible.
PAUL
Just look for a fuzzy star four degrees below Venus.
RACHEL
Or about half way down the field of view of binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st and 2nd 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 1st and 2nd. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The moon appears very close to Mars and Uranus on March 1st.
RACHEL
Mars is the yellowish-orange star to the right of the thin crescent moon.
PAUL
And Uranus is the faint star two degrees below Mars.
RACHEL
For a sense of scale, two degrees is only half the distance between the moon and Mars.
PAUL
This means that the moon, Mars, and Uranus can be seen at the same time in binoculars.
RACHEL
By placing the moon on the left edge of your binocular view, Mars will appear just past half way across the view.
PAUL
And Uranus will appear one quarter of the way across the view below Mars.
RACHEL
The moon’s travels will lead stargazers to the asteroid Ceres on the 2nd.
PAUL
Ceres is a bright asteroid, but it requires a pair of binoculars to see.
RACHEL
To see the largest asteroid, aim your binoculars at the moon on the 2nd.
PAUL
Then shift your view until the moon appears on the left edge of your view.
RACHEL
One-third of the way across your view in the 4 o’clock angle is a faint star.
PAUL
That star is Ceres.
RACHEL
For confirmation, Ceres is flanked with two brighter stars to its right.
PAUL
They create a triangle pointing back towards the moon.
RACHEL
Finally, don’t forget that Comet Encke is still visible.
PAUL
Just look for a fuzzy star four degrees below Venus.
RACHEL
Or about half way down the field of view of binoculars.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 1st and 2nd 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 February 27th and 28th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers will begin seeing the moon again on the 28th.
PAUL
It will be located in the low southwest after dark.
RACHEL
The moon has company on the 28th, Venus.
PAUL
And a comet.
RACHEL
Wait, a comet?
PAUL
Yep. The comet’s name is Encke and it orbits the sun once every three years and four months.
RACHEL
Comet Encke is not known as a spectacular comet.
PAUL
That’s because it’s small and has taken a lot of trips around the sun.
RACHEL
However, it could very well be visible in binoculars.
PAUL
To find comet Encke, aim your binoculars at Venus...
RACHEL
...which is the bright star to the moon’s right.
PAUL
Then scan six degrees below Venus.
RACHEL
Six degrees is nearly the field of view of your binoculars.
PAUL
If the comet is bright enough and your location dark enough, then the comet will appear as a hazy star.
RACHEL
Comets originate in the outer system.
PAUL
At distances so far from the sun that it’s icy cold.
RACHEL
Which is why comets are made up of frozen gases and some dust.
PAUL
And when they approach the sun, that ice melts to form a cloud and tail of gas and dust.
RACHEL
And with any luck, you’ll see that cloud of ice and dust surrounding Comet Encke.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th 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 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Stargazers will begin seeing the moon again on the 28th.
PAUL
It will be located in the low southwest after dark.
RACHEL
The moon has company on the 28th, Venus.
PAUL
And a comet.
RACHEL
Wait, a comet?
PAUL
Yep. The comet’s name is Encke and it orbits the sun once every three years and four months.
RACHEL
Comet Encke is not known as a spectacular comet.
PAUL
That’s because it’s small and has taken a lot of trips around the sun.
RACHEL
However, it could very well be visible in binoculars.
PAUL
To find comet Encke, aim your binoculars at Venus...
RACHEL
...which is the bright star to the moon’s right.
PAUL
Then scan six degrees below Venus.
RACHEL
Six degrees is nearly the field of view of your binoculars.
PAUL
If the comet is bright enough and your location dark enough, then the comet will appear as a hazy star.
RACHEL
Comets originate in the outer system.
PAUL
At distances so far from the sun that it’s icy cold.
RACHEL
Which is why comets are made up of frozen gases and some dust.
PAUL
And when they approach the sun, that ice melts to form a cloud and tail of gas and dust.
RACHEL
And with any luck, you’ll see that cloud of ice and dust surrounding Comet Encke.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th 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.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Transcript for February 24th, 25th, and 26th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
After dark on the 26th, look in the low west for brilliant Venus.
RACHEL
Most stargazers know that Mars is the not too bright yellowish-orange star to the upper left of Venus.
PAUL
They’re also expecting to see two planets that night.
RACHEL
However, did you know the planet Uranus is there also?
PAUL
To see Uranus, aim your binoculars first at Mars.
RACHEL
Uranus appears as the star ½ of a degree to the lower left of Mars.
PAUL
Recall that most binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
RACHEL
So this means Uranus is about 1/15th the distance across your binocular’s field of view.
PAUL
Uranus is brighter than any star that close to Mars.
RACHEL
You can’t miss Uranus if you get away from your local street light.
PAUL
Not many people have seen Uranus, even though it was discovered in 1781.
RACHEL
So if you have a little free time and the sky is clear, look for Uranus on the night of the 26th.
PAUL
It’s a world four times larger than Earth and over 1.5 billion miles away.
RACHEL
And a world tipped over on its side.
PAUL
Yep, instead of spinning like a top, Uranus spins like a wheel.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th, and 26th of February.
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 February 24th, 25th, and 26th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
After dark on the 26th, look in the low west for brilliant Venus.
RACHEL
Most stargazers know that Mars is the not too bright yellowish-orange star to the upper left of Venus.
PAUL
They’re also expecting to see two planets that night.
RACHEL
However, did you know the planet Uranus is there also?
PAUL
To see Uranus, aim your binoculars first at Mars.
RACHEL
Uranus appears as the star ½ of a degree to the lower left of Mars.
PAUL
Recall that most binoculars have a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
RACHEL
So this means Uranus is about 1/15th the distance across your binocular’s field of view.
PAUL
Uranus is brighter than any star that close to Mars.
RACHEL
You can’t miss Uranus if you get away from your local street light.
PAUL
Not many people have seen Uranus, even though it was discovered in 1781.
RACHEL
So if you have a little free time and the sky is clear, look for Uranus on the night of the 26th.
PAUL
It’s a world four times larger than Earth and over 1.5 billion miles away.
RACHEL
And a world tipped over on its side.
PAUL
Yep, instead of spinning like a top, Uranus spins like a wheel.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 24th, 25th, and 26th of February.
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 February 22nd and 23rd
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Thirty years ago on the 23rd, a blue super giant star in the Large Magellanic Cloud collapsed and exploded.
SOUND OF EXPLOSION
PAUL
Actually, this collapse occurred 168,000 years earlier.
RACHEL
Because of its distance from the solar system, it took the explosion’s light that long to reach the solar system.
PAUL
The collapse of a massive star is called a supernova and this one was named SN 1987A.
RACHEL
SN 1987A is still the brightest and closest supernova since the invention of the telescope over 400 years ago.
PAUL
That means it’s still the best opportunity astronomers have had to study the supernova process and its after-effects.
RACHEL
Did you know that SN 1987A kick started neutrino astronomy?
RACHEL
It turns out that three neutrino detectors on Earth detected a burst of 25 neutrinos from the explosion some three hours before its light reached Earth.
PAUL
Neutrinos, which are subatomic particles, rarely ever interact with matter.
RACHEL
They’re created in huge numbers when a star’s core collapses.
PAUL
In fact, one hundred times as many neutrinos escape a supernova explosion than photons of light.
RACHEL
Their lack of interaction with matter means neutrinos can escape the collapse of a star hours before light can.
PAUL
Astronomers now know that a burst of neutrinos from space is probably the sign of an impending supernova explosion.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd 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 22nd and 23rd. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
Thirty years ago on the 23rd, a blue super giant star in the Large Magellanic Cloud collapsed and exploded.
SOUND OF EXPLOSION
PAUL
Actually, this collapse occurred 168,000 years earlier.
RACHEL
Because of its distance from the solar system, it took the explosion’s light that long to reach the solar system.
PAUL
The collapse of a massive star is called a supernova and this one was named SN 1987A.
RACHEL
SN 1987A is still the brightest and closest supernova since the invention of the telescope over 400 years ago.
PAUL
That means it’s still the best opportunity astronomers have had to study the supernova process and its after-effects.
RACHEL
Did you know that SN 1987A kick started neutrino astronomy?
RACHEL
It turns out that three neutrino detectors on Earth detected a burst of 25 neutrinos from the explosion some three hours before its light reached Earth.
PAUL
Neutrinos, which are subatomic particles, rarely ever interact with matter.
RACHEL
They’re created in huge numbers when a star’s core collapses.
PAUL
In fact, one hundred times as many neutrinos escape a supernova explosion than photons of light.
RACHEL
Their lack of interaction with matter means neutrinos can escape the collapse of a star hours before light can.
PAUL
Astronomers now know that a burst of neutrinos from space is probably the sign of an impending supernova explosion.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd and 23rd 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.
Transcript for February 20th and 21st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
John Glenn became one of America’s biggest heroes 55 years ago on February 20th 1962.
RACHEL
Glenn was the third Mercury astronaut launched and the first to orbit Earth.
PAUL
Unlike Shepard and Grissom before him, an Atlas missile carried Glenn’s Mercury spacecraft into space.
RACHEL
The more powerful Atlas missile gave Glenn’s capsule the speed it needed to remain in Earth orbit.
PAUL
Which is 17,500 miles per hour.
RACHEL
His mission lasted for five hours and he orbited Earth three times.
PAUL
His successful mission demonstrated that the United States knew how to send humans into space.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, we lost this American hero last December at the age of 95.
PAUL
Are you looking for Saturn?
RACHEL
Then let the moon show you Saturn on the morning of the 20th.
PAUL
Saturn appears as the creamy yellow-white star to the lower left of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll need a telescope or at least a spotting scope to see Saturn’s rings and largest satellite, Titan.
PAUL
And the magnification of the telescope needs to be at least 25 power.
RACHEL
What if our listeners only have a pair of binoculars handy?
PAUL
Then take they should take some time and scan the region left of Saturn for fuzzy star clusters and nebulae.
RACHEL
These are clusters and nebulae, which are located near center of our Milky Way galaxy.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of February.
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 February 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
John Glenn became one of America’s biggest heroes 55 years ago on February 20th 1962.
RACHEL
Glenn was the third Mercury astronaut launched and the first to orbit Earth.
PAUL
Unlike Shepard and Grissom before him, an Atlas missile carried Glenn’s Mercury spacecraft into space.
RACHEL
The more powerful Atlas missile gave Glenn’s capsule the speed it needed to remain in Earth orbit.
PAUL
Which is 17,500 miles per hour.
RACHEL
His mission lasted for five hours and he orbited Earth three times.
PAUL
His successful mission demonstrated that the United States knew how to send humans into space.
RACHEL
Unfortunately, we lost this American hero last December at the age of 95.
PAUL
Are you looking for Saturn?
RACHEL
Then let the moon show you Saturn on the morning of the 20th.
PAUL
Saturn appears as the creamy yellow-white star to the lower left of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll need a telescope or at least a spotting scope to see Saturn’s rings and largest satellite, Titan.
PAUL
And the magnification of the telescope needs to be at least 25 power.
RACHEL
What if our listeners only have a pair of binoculars handy?
PAUL
Then take they should take some time and scan the region left of Saturn for fuzzy star clusters and nebulae.
RACHEL
These are clusters and nebulae, which are located near center of our Milky Way galaxy.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of February.
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.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for February 17th, 18th, and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 17th, 18th, 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s at the last quarter phase on the 18th.
PAUL
That means anytime after midnight will be a good time to go moon viewing with your binoculars.
RACHEL
Along the terminator will be a multitude of visible craters.
PAUL
Especially in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
Results from Apollo show that moon appears to be made from the mantle of Earth.
PAUL
Which is a metal-poor mix of rocks and minerals.
RACHEL
The similarity is responsible for the hypothesis that the moon formed when a Mars-sized body crashed into the early Earth.
PAUL
People like calling this the Big Whack, but it’s more formally called the Giant-Impact Hypothesis.
RACHEL
The hypothesis was developed in the mid 1970s.
PAUL
And initially, many scientists where not happy with the hypothesis.
RACHEL
That’s because science doesn’t like explanations that require one-time catastrophes.
PAUL
Eventually, data, including computer modeling demonstrated that the explanation wasn’t as ad hoc as believed and actually quite reasonable.
RACHEL
And today, scientists are quite happy to use the explanation to explain the properties of Pluto’s largest satellite, Charon.
PAUL
And also for many satellites detected orbiting asteroids.
RACHEL
The early solar system was a chaotic and dangerous place.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th, 18th, and 19th 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.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for February 17th, 18th, 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s at the last quarter phase on the 18th.
PAUL
That means anytime after midnight will be a good time to go moon viewing with your binoculars.
RACHEL
Along the terminator will be a multitude of visible craters.
PAUL
Especially in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
Results from Apollo show that moon appears to be made from the mantle of Earth.
PAUL
Which is a metal-poor mix of rocks and minerals.
RACHEL
The similarity is responsible for the hypothesis that the moon formed when a Mars-sized body crashed into the early Earth.
PAUL
People like calling this the Big Whack, but it’s more formally called the Giant-Impact Hypothesis.
RACHEL
The hypothesis was developed in the mid 1970s.
PAUL
And initially, many scientists where not happy with the hypothesis.
RACHEL
That’s because science doesn’t like explanations that require one-time catastrophes.
PAUL
Eventually, data, including computer modeling demonstrated that the explanation wasn’t as ad hoc as believed and actually quite reasonable.
RACHEL
And today, scientists are quite happy to use the explanation to explain the properties of Pluto’s largest satellite, Charon.
PAUL
And also for many satellites detected orbiting asteroids.
RACHEL
The early solar system was a chaotic and dangerous place.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 17th, 18th, and 19th 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.
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