Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for June 11th through the 17th.
The moon is at third quarter late in the evening of Wednesday the 13th.
Mars is at opposition also on Wednesday, which means it rises right as the sun sets, a little after 8:30 p.m. It will reach its closest point to earth for this orbit next week.
Jupiter is at conjunction with the sun on Thursday, which means it passes behind the sun from our point of view. It will re-appear in our morning skies just before sunrise by the end of the month. Mercury is at inferior conjunction on Saturday the 16th, which means it passes between us and the sun. Venus is still high in the skies at dawn.
Wednesday night public viewing is held at Robert Lee Moore Hall and will begin at 9:00 p.m. The building is located at the southeast corner of Dean Keeton (formerly 26th street) and Speedway. Take the elevators to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.
Viewing at the Painter Hall telescope for the general public is on Saturdays from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. and Friday nights are open for UT students, faculty and staff from 9:00 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. Observing events are weather permitting.
