Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday June 6th through Sunday June 12th.
The moon is at first quarter on Sunday the 12th, so we will have a waxing crescent moon in the early evening skies for most of the week.
Venus is in superior conjunction with the sun on Monday the 6th and will pass behind the sun from the Earth's point of view. Venus will begin to slowly emerge from the evening twilight over the next couple of weeks.
Jupiter continues to shine brightly in the early evening skies, high in the southwest at sundown. Jupiter is setting at 1:45 a.m. this week. Look for the moon and Jupiter to make a nice pair on Saturday night.
Mars dominates the southeastern skies in the early evening shining brightly with a distinctly orange color. Mars is setting at 5:00 a.m. this week.
Saturn is lower in the southeast and dimmer than Mars, but is still a treat to observe in telescopes and binoculars. Saturn is setting at 6:15 a.m. this week.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of Robert Lee Moore Hall is on Wednesday nights from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. this summer. RLM 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 from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. this summer. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe and is northeast of the UT Tower. To get to the telescope, take the elevator to the 5th floor and exit to the left. Follow the 5th floor hallway to the end and take the staircase through the double doors on the left. Once you reach the 6th floor, go to your right 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.
