Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for February 3rd through the 9th.
The moon is at first quarter on Sunday the 9th.
Mercury is at its greatest elongation west on the 3rd and is visible to the lower left of Venus. The innermost planet rises a little after 5:45 in the morning and should be high enough to see over the eastern horizon shortly before dawn. Mars is visible to the upper right of Venus. The three planets form a line tracing out the plane of the solar system.
Saturn and Jupiter continue to shine brightly in the evening skies.
The Department of Astronomy will be awarding the Tenth Antoinette de Vaucouleurs Memorial medal next week to Professor Frank Shu, recognizing his lifelong outstanding dedication to astronomy. Dr. Shu will be presenting a public talk on The Origin of Sunlike Stars and Planetary Systems on Wednesday afternoon. More information is available on the department website at www.as.utexas.edu
The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights starting at 7:00 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 telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays are open to the general public from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting. Please note that star party times change throughout the year. Please call this recording to check times and availability before planning a visit to the telescopes.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
