Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday June 9th through Sunday June 15th.
The full moon for the month of June is on the night of Thursday the 12th so we'll have a waxing gibbous moon to start the week and a waning gibbous moon this weekend. The full moon for the month of June is known as the Flower Moon, the Strawberry Moon, the Rose Moon, and the Honey Moon.
Mercury is sinking back towards the sun as it heads towards conjunction next week. Mercury is setting just 40 minutes after the sun at midweek.
Jupiter is in the west after sunset and is setting at 10:40 p.m., which is about two hours after sunset.
Mars looks like a bright orange star high in the south at sundown and is setting at 2:45 a.m. at midweek.
Saturn is up in the southeast as the sky darkens after nightfall and is setting at 4:40 a.m. at midweek. Look for Saturn near the moon on Tuesday night.
Venus is still up in the morning before dawn, rising about two hours before the sun.
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.
