Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for April 3rd through the 8th.
The moon is at first quarter on Wednesday the 5th.
A gradually fading Mars is below the moon on Monday night. The moon will be close to Saturn on Thursday the 6th. The Beehive star cluster, also known as Messier 44, will also be nearby.
Jupiter is rising at 10 p.m. this week. Venus is rising at 5 a.m. and is still shining at -4.3 Mercury is at its greatest elongation west this weekend and can be spotted rising about an hour before the sun.
Public viewing at the Painter Hall telescope is on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 10 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe.
The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights from 8 to 10 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.
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.
