texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for Monday March 26th through Sunday April 1st.

The moon was at first quarter on Sunday the 25th.

On Wednesday night Saturn will be alongside the moon, being separated by a little over one degree when the sky darkens. The two will move closer as the night progresses until the reach their closest point, about a quarter of a degree, at around 1 a.m. Some observers, namely those in the northern British Isles, northern Scandinavia and eastern Greenland, will be able to see the moon occult, or move in front of, Saturn.

Venus is still shining brightly in the west at sunset.

Jupiter is rising at about 1:15 a.m. and Mars is up at about 5:30 a.m. Look for Mercury low in the east shortly before the sunrises.

As we move into spring, the constellations of winter are now starting to set earlier and earlier. Orion is now in the southwest at around 9 p.m. and Taurus, with the open clusters of the Hyades and Pleiades, is sinking in the west when the sky grows dark.

Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of Robert Lee Moore Hall is on Wednesday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. RLM is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway. Take the elevator to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.

Public viewing at the 9 inch refractor at Painter Hall is on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe and is northeast of the UT Tower.

All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that viewing times and availability change throughout the year. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 60 minutes before viewing start time on nights when public viewing is cancelled.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.