Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for January 24th through the 30th.
The first full moon of 2005 is on Tuesday the 25th. The full moon of January is called the Wolf Moon.
Saturn is still the best of the evening planets, rising in the east about an hour before sunset and high in the east by 9 p.m. Jupiter is now rising at about 11:30 p.m.
The constellation Orion and its nebula are high in the southeast at around 8 p.m. this week. To find the nebula, which is easily visible in binoculars, look for the three stars of the belt, which will be nearly vertical in the early evening hours. The nebula and the stars of the sword are below and to the right of the belt. The middle star of the sword is actually the nebula, a giant cloud of gas and dust where stars are forming.
For more skywatching tips for the week, check out stardate.org
The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. RLM is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway. Take the elevators to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.
The Painter Hall telescope is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that star party times and availability change throughout the year. Please call this recording before planning a visit to the telescopes. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 60 minutes before viewing start time only on nights when star parties are cancelled.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
