Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday April 8 through Sunday April 14.
The new moon for the month of April is on Monday the 8th then we’ll have a waxing crescent moon in the early evening skies of the rest of the week.
And, as pretty much everyone knows by now, with this new moon we will have a total solar eclipse that will cross North America, including central Texas. For UT Austin, the partial eclipse phase starts at 12:17 p.m. and totality will begin at 1:36 p.m. and will last just under two minutes. Totality will end at 1:38 p.m. and then the partial eclipse will complete at 2:58 p.m. Although the sky will not turn as dark as you would see in the middle of the night, you should be able to pick out the planets Venus and Jupiter during totality.
Mercury is in inferior conjunction on Thursday the 11th when it will pass between the Earth and the Sun and will move from our evening skies into our morning skies.
Jupiter is visible in the west at sunset and is setting at 10:10 p.m. at midweek.
In the morning skies, Mars and Saturn are rising around 5:40 a.m. most of the week and the two planets will be about half a degree apart from one another on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Venus is up at 6:35 a.m., about 30 minutes before sunrise.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights now from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. PMA 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 now from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe and is northeast of the UT Tower. Take the elevator to the 5th floor then take the stairs up to the 6th floor and follow the signs up to the telescope.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that viewing times and availability change throughout the year so please check the schedule before planning a visit. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 512-232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled viewing start time.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.
