Are you getting a new telescope for Christmas? Well, the Boise Astronomical Society wants you to enjoy many more successful astronomical encounters with your new telescope. That's why on January 12th, they're hosting a free workshop for families with a new telescope.
The astronomical society understands how difficult it can be to operate a new telescope. So club members will be at Anser Charter School on January 12th starting at 7:00 PM to help anyone with a telescope get the most out of their space explorer.
This is one of many ways your local astronomical club is ready to help our community experience the joy and astronomy. So please pay them a visit - you'll get your best astronomical views this summer if you do.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 29th, 30th, and 31st
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 29th, 30th, and 31st. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon forms a trio with two star clusters on the night of the 29th.
PAUL
The star clusters are the Pleiades and the Hyades.
RACHEL
Both are good binocular objects, but only the Pleiades is suitable for a Christmas telescope.
PAUL
The Pleiades will appear as a tiny dipper of stars through binoculars or telescope of modest power.
RACHEL
After observing the moon on the 29th, look again on the next day to see how close the moon has traveled to Aldebaran.
PAUL
Aldebaran is the bright orangish star at the edge of the Hyades star cluster.
RACHEL
It’s represents the eye of Taurus the Bull and is not a part of the Hyades star cluster.
PAUL
The moon is nearly full on the 30th, so its best craters will appear tilted away from Earth.
RACHEL
However, large lunar seas and the mountains rimming them will be quite easy to see.
PAUL
The moon continues its travels and will appear above Orion the Hunter on the 31st.
RACHEL
Look for Orion’s tilted rectangle of four bright stars below and right of the moon.
PAUL
Passing through the center of this large rectangle will be a straight line of three equally bright stars, or Orion’s Belt.
RACHEL
Now look below the middle star of a line of two or three fainter stars.
PAUL
This is Orion’s sword.
RACHEL
If you aim your Christmas telescope at the second, sort of fuzzy looking star in the sword, you’ll be in for a real surprise.
PAUL
This fuzzy star will turn into a white or green cloud filled with swirls and stars.
RACHEL
This is the Great Orion nebula, a stellar nursery where stars and solar systems are being born today.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 29th, 30th and 31st 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 27th and 28th
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by English astronomer William Herschel.
RACHEL
Herschel wasn’t born in England, he was born in the Electorate of Hanover, or what is now a part of Germany.
PAUL
Since 1774, Herschel had been observing the skies with his large telescopes.
RACHEL
These were handmade and of very good quality for their time.
PAUL
On March 13th, 1781, Herschel realized a star he was looking at was not a point of light like the other stars.
RACHEL
At first, he thought his discovery was a new comet.
PAUL
But soon, he discovered his comet moved like the other planets and not like other comets.
RACHEL
Hershel’s discovery of Uranus made him famous overnight.
PAUL
That’s because no planets had been discovered since the times of antiquity.
RACHEL
Astronomy was not Herschel’s first job.
PAUL
That’s right; he was originally a composer and music director.
RACHEL
However, after his discovery of Uranus, King George the Third made him the Royal Astronomer.
PAUL
This allowed Herschel to become a full time astronomer with the assistance of his sister, Caroline.
RACHEL
On the 27th, you too can discover Uranus for yourself.
PAUL
Do so by aiming your binoculars at the moon at 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Then shift the moon to the left edge of your binoculars in the 7:30 position.
PAUL
Then look for the brightest star six degrees to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
Remember that binoculars have a view 7.5 degrees wide.
PAUL
That star you see is Uranus and you can be certain of it if you see a squashed rectangle between the moon and Uranus.
RACHEL
You’ll find a helpful star map on our Twitter account.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of December.
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 December 27th and 28th. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781 by English astronomer William Herschel.
RACHEL
Herschel wasn’t born in England, he was born in the Electorate of Hanover, or what is now a part of Germany.
PAUL
Since 1774, Herschel had been observing the skies with his large telescopes.
RACHEL
These were handmade and of very good quality for their time.
PAUL
On March 13th, 1781, Herschel realized a star he was looking at was not a point of light like the other stars.
RACHEL
At first, he thought his discovery was a new comet.
PAUL
But soon, he discovered his comet moved like the other planets and not like other comets.
RACHEL
Hershel’s discovery of Uranus made him famous overnight.
PAUL
That’s because no planets had been discovered since the times of antiquity.
RACHEL
Astronomy was not Herschel’s first job.
PAUL
That’s right; he was originally a composer and music director.
RACHEL
However, after his discovery of Uranus, King George the Third made him the Royal Astronomer.
PAUL
This allowed Herschel to become a full time astronomer with the assistance of his sister, Caroline.
RACHEL
On the 27th, you too can discover Uranus for yourself.
PAUL
Do so by aiming your binoculars at the moon at 8:00 PM.
RACHEL
Then shift the moon to the left edge of your binoculars in the 7:30 position.
PAUL
Then look for the brightest star six degrees to the moon’s upper right.
RACHEL
Remember that binoculars have a view 7.5 degrees wide.
PAUL
That star you see is Uranus and you can be certain of it if you see a squashed rectangle between the moon and Uranus.
RACHEL
You’ll find a helpful star map on our Twitter account.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 27th and 28th of December.
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 December 25th and 26th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the 26th.
PAUL
This is the most excellent phase for going moon watching.
RACHEL
So listeners who got a new telescope or binoculars for Christmas have the perfect target tonight.
PAUL
Start by placing a low power eyepiece in your telescope.
RACHEL
The low power eyepiece is the one with the largest number written on its side of its barrel.
PAUL
That number is the focal length of the eyepiece in millimeters.
RACHEL
To calculate the magnification of your telescope, divide the focal length of the main lens, or objective by the focal length of the eyepiece you selected.
PAUL
A lower power is usually better than a higher power, especially when trying to locate objects.
RACHEL
Anther reason is that high magnifications also magnify the distortion caused by the turbulent air.
PAUL
When you look at the moon in low power, you’ll notice that the terminator or boundary between day and night runs straight up and down the center of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll also notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed full of craters.
PAUL
Whether the moon’s southern hemisphere appears at the top or bottom of the moon depends on what kind of instrument you’re looking through.
RACHEL
Binoculars and spotting scopes don’t invert their images, so the southern hemisphere will appear at the bottom of the moon.
PAUL
Telescopes on the other hand do invert their images.
RACHEL
But this is not bad, as binoculars and spotting scopes use additional lens to un-invert their images.
PAUL
Meaning there’s more dimming of the moon’s light and a slight reduction in optical clarity.
RACHEL
Besides, one can always reverse the image of their telescope by standing with their back towards the moon before looking through the eyepiece.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
PAUL
...and Rachel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 25th and 26th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon reaches first quarter phase on the 26th.
PAUL
This is the most excellent phase for going moon watching.
RACHEL
So listeners who got a new telescope or binoculars for Christmas have the perfect target tonight.
PAUL
Start by placing a low power eyepiece in your telescope.
RACHEL
The low power eyepiece is the one with the largest number written on its side of its barrel.
PAUL
That number is the focal length of the eyepiece in millimeters.
RACHEL
To calculate the magnification of your telescope, divide the focal length of the main lens, or objective by the focal length of the eyepiece you selected.
PAUL
A lower power is usually better than a higher power, especially when trying to locate objects.
RACHEL
Anther reason is that high magnifications also magnify the distortion caused by the turbulent air.
PAUL
When you look at the moon in low power, you’ll notice that the terminator or boundary between day and night runs straight up and down the center of the moon.
RACHEL
You’ll also notice that the southern hemisphere of the moon is packed full of craters.
PAUL
Whether the moon’s southern hemisphere appears at the top or bottom of the moon depends on what kind of instrument you’re looking through.
RACHEL
Binoculars and spotting scopes don’t invert their images, so the southern hemisphere will appear at the bottom of the moon.
PAUL
Telescopes on the other hand do invert their images.
RACHEL
But this is not bad, as binoculars and spotting scopes use additional lens to un-invert their images.
PAUL
Meaning there’s more dimming of the moon’s light and a slight reduction in optical clarity.
RACHEL
Besides, one can always reverse the image of their telescope by standing with their back towards the moon before looking through the eyepiece.
PAUL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 25th and 26th of December.
RACHEL
Be sure to read our blog for additional information. It’s at idahoskies.blogspot.com
For Idaho Skies this is Paul...
PAUL
...and Rachel.
RACHEL
Dark skies and bright stars.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon finally reappears this week.
PAUL
So stargazers will find a very thin crescent in the low southwest after it get dark, or at around 7:00 PM.
RACHEL
They’ll probably notice a faint illumination on the darken left side of the moon.
PAUL
That’s earthshine, or sunlight illuminating the dark portion of the moon after bouncing off of the reflective Earth.
RACHEL
Earthshine is bright enough that in binoculars, stargazers can see some of the lunar markings.
PAUL
It’s best to use binoculars because their large lens can gather more light that our eyes.
RACHEL
Hey early rises, be sure to look in the southeast on the 23rd.
PAUL
At around 6:00 AM you’ll see bright Jupiter.
RACHEL
More importantly, there’s a star just to the lower right of Jupiter.
PAUL
And it’s close, so you might want binoculars to get a better view.
RACHEL
That star is Zubenelgenubi, a widely spaced double star.
PAUL
Since the spacing between Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi is only ¾ of a degree, they fit very nicely within binoculars.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi have something to offer binocular users.
PAUL
Jupiter sports its largest satellite, Ganymede just above the planet.
RACHEL
And Zubenelgenubi splits into two closely spaced stars.
PAUL
Stargazers will find that the relative angle and spacing between Jupiter and Ganymede and between the two components of Zubenelgenubi are nearly identical.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th 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 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon finally reappears this week.
PAUL
So stargazers will find a very thin crescent in the low southwest after it get dark, or at around 7:00 PM.
RACHEL
They’ll probably notice a faint illumination on the darken left side of the moon.
PAUL
That’s earthshine, or sunlight illuminating the dark portion of the moon after bouncing off of the reflective Earth.
RACHEL
Earthshine is bright enough that in binoculars, stargazers can see some of the lunar markings.
PAUL
It’s best to use binoculars because their large lens can gather more light that our eyes.
RACHEL
Hey early rises, be sure to look in the southeast on the 23rd.
PAUL
At around 6:00 AM you’ll see bright Jupiter.
RACHEL
More importantly, there’s a star just to the lower right of Jupiter.
PAUL
And it’s close, so you might want binoculars to get a better view.
RACHEL
That star is Zubenelgenubi, a widely spaced double star.
PAUL
Since the spacing between Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi is only ¾ of a degree, they fit very nicely within binoculars.
RACHEL
Both Jupiter and Zubenelgenubi have something to offer binocular users.
PAUL
Jupiter sports its largest satellite, Ganymede just above the planet.
RACHEL
And Zubenelgenubi splits into two closely spaced stars.
PAUL
Stargazers will find that the relative angle and spacing between Jupiter and Ganymede and between the two components of Zubenelgenubi are nearly identical.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th 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.
Idaho Skies Transcript for December 20th and 21st
PAUL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
It’s the winter solstice on the 21st.
RACHEL
The winter what?
PAUL
Solstice. It means sun standing still.
RACHEL
Oh, you mean the first day of winter.
PAUL
That’s right. On the 21st at 9:28 AM, the sun will appear at its lowest elevation with respect to the fixed stars.
RACHEL
And at that time, it will stand directly overhead over the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
This marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
So the 21st is the day with the shortest day and longest night for Idahoans.
PAUL
The sun appears to drift north and south across the sky because Earth’s spin axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
RACHEL
Recall that our spin axis is fixed in space; in fact, it always points towards Polaris the Pole Star.
PAUL
So in December, the direction towards Polaris is away from the sun.
RACHEL
But the boundary between Earth’s day and night always remains vertical.
PAUL
Therefore, in December, the Northern hemisphere tilts more into the night making night last several hours longer.
RACHEL
Longer nights means there’s more time for ground to cool and less time to warm up from exposure to daylight.
PAUL
Making it even worse, the angle that the sun shines on the surface is sloped even more.
RACHEL
This means the ground experiences less intense sunlight and therefore doesn’t get warm as fast as it does during the summer months.
PAUL
And as a result, cold winters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of December.
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 December 20th and 21st. We’re your hosts, Paul...
RACHEL
...and Rachel.
PAUL
It’s the winter solstice on the 21st.
RACHEL
The winter what?
PAUL
Solstice. It means sun standing still.
RACHEL
Oh, you mean the first day of winter.
PAUL
That’s right. On the 21st at 9:28 AM, the sun will appear at its lowest elevation with respect to the fixed stars.
RACHEL
And at that time, it will stand directly overhead over the Tropic of Capricorn.
PAUL
This marks the first day of winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere.
RACHEL
So the 21st is the day with the shortest day and longest night for Idahoans.
PAUL
The sun appears to drift north and south across the sky because Earth’s spin axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane around the sun.
RACHEL
Recall that our spin axis is fixed in space; in fact, it always points towards Polaris the Pole Star.
PAUL
So in December, the direction towards Polaris is away from the sun.
RACHEL
But the boundary between Earth’s day and night always remains vertical.
PAUL
Therefore, in December, the Northern hemisphere tilts more into the night making night last several hours longer.
RACHEL
Longer nights means there’s more time for ground to cool and less time to warm up from exposure to daylight.
PAUL
Making it even worse, the angle that the sun shines on the surface is sloped even more.
RACHEL
This means the ground experiences less intense sunlight and therefore doesn’t get warm as fast as it does during the summer months.
PAUL
And as a result, cold winters.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 20th and 21st of December.
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 December 18th and 19th
RACHEL
Welcome to Idaho Skies for December 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
That means stargazers won’t be able to see it for a couple of days.
RACHEL
And when they do, it will be a thin crescent in the low southwest.
PAUL
So get ready to go moon watching in another two or three days.
RACHEL
Let’s dial the way back machine to December 18th, 1958.
PAUL
The Space Age is just over a year old and the United States is trying to place more and better satellites into Earth orbit.
RACHEL
One of our countries first successes was a communication satellite.
PAUL
Called Project Score, this satellite was actually an empty rocket booster.
RACHEL
But the empty Atlas booster carried a tape recorder and radio.
PAUL
Which allowed select ground stations to send a message to the Atlas for storage on its tape recorder.
RACHEL
Then when the Atlas passed over a second ground station, it would replay the message over the radio.
PAUL
The dual redundant radio, antennas, and tape recorders weighed 150 pounds.
RACHEL
And the tape recorder could store a message up to four minutes long.
PAUL
President Eisenhower recorded a Christmas message on Project Score.
RACHEL
His message was for peace on Earth and goodwill.
PAUL
Being a large, but empty booster meant that air drag had a strong effect on the satellite.
RACHEL
As a result, Project Score only remained in orbit for 36 days.
PAUL
And during that month, it illustrated some of the promise of the newly born Space Age.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th 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 18th and 19th. We’re your hosts, Rachel...
PAUL
...and Paul.
RACHEL
The moon’s new on the 18th.
PAUL
That means stargazers won’t be able to see it for a couple of days.
RACHEL
And when they do, it will be a thin crescent in the low southwest.
PAUL
So get ready to go moon watching in another two or three days.
RACHEL
Let’s dial the way back machine to December 18th, 1958.
PAUL
The Space Age is just over a year old and the United States is trying to place more and better satellites into Earth orbit.
RACHEL
One of our countries first successes was a communication satellite.
PAUL
Called Project Score, this satellite was actually an empty rocket booster.
RACHEL
But the empty Atlas booster carried a tape recorder and radio.
PAUL
Which allowed select ground stations to send a message to the Atlas for storage on its tape recorder.
RACHEL
Then when the Atlas passed over a second ground station, it would replay the message over the radio.
PAUL
The dual redundant radio, antennas, and tape recorders weighed 150 pounds.
RACHEL
And the tape recorder could store a message up to four minutes long.
PAUL
President Eisenhower recorded a Christmas message on Project Score.
RACHEL
His message was for peace on Earth and goodwill.
PAUL
Being a large, but empty booster meant that air drag had a strong effect on the satellite.
RACHEL
As a result, Project Score only remained in orbit for 36 days.
PAUL
And during that month, it illustrated some of the promise of the newly born Space Age.
RACHEL
That’s Idaho Skies for the 18th and 19th 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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