Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for January 12th through the 19th.
The moon is at third quarter Wednesday evening.
Brilliant Venus is visible in the west-southwest in the evening skies. Saturn is visible to the left of Orion high in the east in the mid-evening hours. Jupiter is rising a little after 10 p.m. this week at almost due east along the horizon. Mars is still visible in the west and sets a little after midnight.
Last week the Mars Rover Spirit sent back the first few of many color pictures of the surface of Mars. The rover should roll off the lander this week to begin its exploration of Gusev Crater. You can follow the mission at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's website at www.jpl.nasa.gov. The second rover, Opportunity, is due to land on the night of January 24th to explore the opposite side of Mars.
For more skywatching tips for the week check out stardate.org
Public viewing on UT campus telescopes is currently on hiatus. Viewing will resume in January with the start of the UT spring semester. Please call this recording next week for starting dates and times.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
