Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday May 16th through Monday May 30th.
The full moon for the month of May is on Saturday the 21st. This full moon is known as the Milk Moon, the Flower Moon, and the Corn Moon. Because this full moon occurs shortly after apogee - the moon's farthest point from the Earth in its orbit - this will be the smallest angular size full moon of 2016. The moon will reach third quarter on Sunday May 29th.
Jupiter is high in the south as the sky darkens after sunset and is setting at 3:15 a.m. at mid-month and 2:20 a.m. by the end of the month.
Mars rises at 8:45 p.m. at mid-month and is up at 7:30 p.m. on the 30th, the day that it will be closest to the Earth for this orbital cycle. Mars will be at opposition on Sunday the 22nd when it will rise at sunset and set at sunrise and be visible in our skies all night.
Saturn is rising at 9:30 p.m. at mid-month and at 8:30 p.m. by the end of the month.
Mercury is emerging from conjunction with the sun and is up about 30 minutes before the sun at mid-month, but will be up over an hour before sunrise by the end of the month.
Venus is still close to the sun and is lost in the sun's glare.
Public viewing on UT campus telescopes has finished for the spring semester. Summer session viewing will start the second week in June. Please check back for exact details on starting dates and times.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report and have a happy and safe Memorial Day Holiday.
