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The types of solar viewing telescopes at the College of Southern Idaho

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The types of solar viewing telescopes at the College of Southern Idaho


TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —There are a few times in your life that people will encourage you to look at the sun. Well, starting Wednesday, May 29 that’s exactly what the Centennial Observatory will be doing as they break out the solar viewing telescopes. Now, you may be wondering what makes a solar telescope different from a standard telescope. The College of Southern Idaho has three types of solar telescopes that are available to them. The first type is a model called a “folded refractor” it has the unique feature of being the only telescope that you don’t look directly through.

“Your normal telescope you’d think of having as having a lens in the front, a lens on the back. This one has both of those, but in between it has mirrors that allow it to kind of fold up,” Observatory Coordinator at the Centennial Observatory Chris Anderson said. Without the traditional lens to look through the image is instead projected onto a piece of paper set within the telescope and this makes it better for larger groups. “There was a company back East that made these specifically for classrooms and they’ve continued to make them ever since,” Mr. Anderson explained.

The second model they have available to them is a traditional telescope, but adjusted with a specialized filter that is added onto it making it possible to view both the sun and the stars when needed. “We have a white light solar filter in it right now and a white light filter just dims the sun way, way down and lets you see what’s going on, on the surface,” Mr. Anderson explained. As of right now, the sun has been fairly active, but the peak of our current solar cycle is expected to hit within the next year or two and a half years.

The third model that they have at their disposal is also the most advanced, it’s called a “Hydrogen Alpha Telescope”, and it blocks out all color except for a specific shade of red that is emitted from the sun called the “Chromosphere”.

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“If you’re used to thinking about what you see during a total solar eclipse. So, this little red thing’s poking out from around the edge of the sun. That’s the chromosphere,” Mr. Anderson explained. When looking through the telescope you see a black dot with a grainy, almost oatmeal-like texture that is the sun, and it’s all thanks to the specialized filters that are built into the telescope itself, but that’s not the only cool thing about it. “It is a computer-controlled telescope. It does track the sun automatically, so I don’t have to work about it keeping up,” Mr. Anderson said.

Now, while the sun is extremely active you may want to get in on sun spots, Chris Anderson implores everyone to come down and visit rather than trying to see the sun on your own.

“If you don’t have the proper equipment, don’t try to look to look at the sun with a telescope. That’s an incredibly dangerous thing to do. What a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s not just about whether you’re feeling discomfort. There are ways to filter the sun down in a way that you don’t feel any discomfort, but you’re still doing damage,” Mr. Anderson said.

Even with powerful welder’s glass unless it is a number 14 glass or dark you can still permanently damage your eyes. It is simply safer to not take the risk, rather visit Centennial Observatory on one of the many solar viewing days that will be open to the public. The sun viewing days are every Wednesday following Memorial Day until Labor Day from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M.

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Idaho

Idaho gas prices continue to drop

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Idaho gas prices continue to drop


TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Idaho drivers are saving money despite upticks in fuel demands and drops in oil supplies.

The current average price for a gallon of regular fuel in Idaho is $3.28, which is nine cents less than a week ago, according to AAA Idaho Public Affairs Director Matthew Conde.

Despite the drop, Idaho is still 8th in the country for most expensive fuel behind states like Hawaii, California, Washington and more.

“For most of last week, the cost of crude oil dipped below $70 per barrel. That translated to relief at the pump, despite a slight surge in fuel demand,” Cone said. “We’ll continue to monitor the crude oil market in the aftermath of the general election.”

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The national average sits at $3.10 per gallon, which is three cents cheaper than last week and 19 cents less than a month ago.



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72-year-old Idaho man overcorrects truck, dies in crash – East Idaho News

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72-year-old Idaho man overcorrects truck, dies in crash – East Idaho News


The following includes a news release from Idaho State Police.

COUNCIL — A 72-year-old man in a 2000 Ford pickup truck died after he left the roadway, overcorrected and overturned on Saturday.

He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The driver was traveling eastbound at milepost 16 on Council Cuprum Road when the crash occurred at approximately 5:40 p.m., west of Council in Adams County.

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He was wearing a seatbelt.

The preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol may have been a factor in the collision.

The single-vehicle fatality crash remains under investigation by Idaho State Police.

The eastbound lane of travel was blocked for approximately six hours while emergency responders worked to clear the scene.

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Incumbent Julie VanOrden challenged by Democrat Karen Keith for Idaho Senate District 30 – East Idaho News

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Incumbent Julie VanOrden challenged by Democrat Karen Keith for Idaho Senate District 30 – East Idaho News


BLACKFOOT — Incumbent state Senator Julie VanOrden, a Republican, is running for re-election against Democrat Karen Keith for the Idaho Senate seat in District 30.

The seat is for a two-year term. District 30 covers Bingham and Butte counties — including Blackfoot, Shelley, Arco and Aberdeen.

To learn more about VanOrden’s campaign, visit www.julievanordenforidaho.com.

Keith sent in candidate information that has been included with the first question. She did not provide questionnaire responses or a website.

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EastIdahoNews.com sent the same eight questions to each candidate. Their responses, listed below, were required to be 250 words or less.

EastIdahoNews.com is publishing the answers in their entirety, and without any grammatical or style editing.

The general election is Nov. 5.

Candidate Questions & Responses

Tell us about yourself — include information about your family, career, education, volunteer work, and any prior experience in public office.

VanOrden: I have been married to Garth VanOrden for almost 46 years. We have 4 children, 2 daughters-in-law, 3 grand children and 1 great granddaughter. I graduated from Blackfoot High School and attended College of Southern Idaho and the vocational technical training school at Idaho State University. I worked at FMC and Bingham Memorial Hospital. I served as a volunteer on the Idaho PTA Board of Directors and as chairman on the Snake River School District Board of Trustees. In 2012 I won the seat representing Legislative District #31 (Bingham County) in the Idaho House of Representatives, I served in this capacity until 2018. I then was appointed to the Public Charter School Commission and the Idaho Potato Commission.

Keith: Karen Keith is retired from the Idaho National Laboratory with experience in leadership, fiscal accountability and service. Karen has worked continuously for the betterment of her communities through volunteer work.

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Karen served as President of the American Legion Auxiliary for various terms at the Veterans Home.

She also served for several years as the PTO President for District 55 schools, while her children attended there.

Why are you seeking political office? Briefly explain your political platform.

VanOrden: As a returning legislator I was able to use my prior experience in setting budgets to connecting the funds with the policies. There are a number of reasons I would like to return to the legislature:

To work with the Department of Education on funding and policies that will increase the 3rd grade reading levels for more students.

Working to create a subsidy system that addresses real needs in real time and incentivizes self reliance.

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Working to address budget items that are excessive.

What are the greatest challenges facing people and communities in your district? What is your plan to meet those challenges?

VanOrden: I believe property taxes, the cost of living(groceries, goods, rent) are real challenges facing people in District #30. I also believe that living so close to the I-15 interstate corridor has placed us in a path of illegal activities. This creates challenges to local law enforcement and brings unwanted forces into our communities.

Have you seen any mistakes made by the Idaho Legislature in recent years? How would you work to correct these errors?

VanOrden: I believe education in Idaho needs to be addressing individual students in our system. Teachers needs the tools to address needs. There is a charter school that has at least one aide in each classroom for each teacher. I would hope we could look at models that are successful and begin to replicate them. A new funding formula is a must.

What parts of the state budget could use more funding? Are there places in the budget where cuts could be made?

VanOrden: I believe our foster care system within the Department of Health and Welfare could use more funding. I don’t think we need to cut budgets just allocate the resources in different ways.

What is your position on Idaho’s Proposition 1 ballot initiative that would end closed-party primary elections and create ranked-choice voting?

VanOrden: I won and lost elections in a closed primary to I’m neutral on that subject. I also voted against Idaho adopting ranked choice voting in the 2023 session.

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What is your position on Gov. Brad Little using Idaho State Police resources to bolster security at the United States southern border? How does illegal immigration impact the constituents in your district?

VanOrden: I believe the experience gained by the law enforcement individuals who went to the border will only enhance securities needed in Idaho.

The effects are on our education system, health care system and our law enforcement and courts. Our education system has had to address communication barriers. Our health care system has had to increase costs because of an increased need for providers. Our courts are full of cases (major and minor) because of a population increase. All systems in general are over burdened with addressing the needs of more people.

A battle over the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer recharge led to a temporary water curtailment for thousands of acres of farmland in 2024. How should the legislature respond to this issue?

VanOrden: I believe the legislature can address the inadequacies of our laws related to water management and due process. The constitution is clear on water rights, but it also references necessities, reasonable maximum rates for beneficial purpose, and reasonable limitations. It also states that the legislature has a responsibility to define and act upon time of distress.

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