Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for March 31st through April 6th
The moon is new on April 1st. On the 3rd, shortly after sunset, look for a thin crescent moon low in the west. Below and to the right will be Mercury, which will be rising a little higher each evening for about the next two weeks.
On Sunday the 6th, the moon will be below and to the right of Saturn and above the V-shaped Hyades open cluster.
Jupiter is the bright object close to overhead as evening twilight ends. A binocular view of the area around Jupiter will reveal the Beehive star cluster nearby.
This weekend is the change to Daylight Saving time, so we 'spring forward' an hour on Sunday morning for most of the United States. The 2 to 3 am hour is the one officially skipped. Daylight Saving time is not observed in Hawaii, Arizona and parts of Indiana.
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.
Due to the change to Daylight Saving Time, the start times for the star parties will be changing next week. Please call this recording to check times before planning a visit to the telescopes.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
