Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for May 28th through June 8th.
The new moon for the month of May is on the night of the 30th. This new moon will also create an annular solar eclipse for far northern Europe and North America. An annular eclipse makes a ring of sunlight around the moon because the moon is too far out for its angular size to completely block the sun's disk.
The moon is at first quarter on Saturday June 7th.
Mercury will be at its greatest elongation west on the morning of June 3rd. Look for it shortly before dawn to the upper right of a much brighter Venus low in the east.
Saturn is now setting shortly after the sun, heading towards conjunction with the sun later this month. Jupiter will be just a few degrees from the moon on June 4th.
The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall will re-open to the public on Wednesday nights starting June 4th at 9:00 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 will re-open on June 6th for UT students, faculty and staff from 9 to 10 p.m. and Saturday June 7th for the general public from 9 to 11. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting.
Please note that star party times change throughout the year. Please call this recording to check times before planning a visit to the telescopes.
