Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for May 2nd through the 8th.
The new moon for the month of May is on Sunday the 8th.
Saturn is now dipping into the western skies and will set around 1 a.m. this week. Jupiter is the bright object in the southeast at around 9 p.m. If you were up before sunrise Monday morning, you may have seen a slowly brightening Mars next to the moon. Mars will be swinging back in to the evening skies by the end of the summer and will have its closest approach to the Earth in late October.
The constellations of winter, such as Orion, are setting shortly after the sun and giving way to the constellations of summer. Hercules and its great globular star cluster is above the northeastern horizon by about 10 p.m. this week.
For more skywatching tips for the week, check out stardate.org
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.
The Painter Hall telescope is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe.
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.
This week will be the final week of star parties for the spring semester. Summer viewing will resume in June. Please call back for starting dates and times.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
