texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for June 13th through the 19th.

The moon is at first quarter on the night of Tuesday the 14th.

All this week and next Saturn, Venus and Mercury will be moving closer and closer together, until they reach their closest point on Sunday the 26th. Mercury and Venus are rising and Saturn is descending each day as they draw together. Look for the three planets in west an hour or so after sunset.

Jupiter is high in the southwest at 10 p.m. this week and will be right next to the moon on Wednesday night. Observers in the south Pacific will see the moon occult, or move in front of, Jupiter that evening.

Mars is rising at about 2 a.m. this week.

Public viewing at the Painter Hall Telescope is on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 11 p.m. this summer. Painter Hall is located on the corner of 24th and Inner Campus Drive, about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe, and just north of the UT Tower.

There will be no Wednesday night viewing at Robert Lee Moore Hall this summer due to roof construction.

All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that star party times and availability change throughout the year. Please call this recording before planning a visit to the telescopes. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 60 minutes before viewing start time only on nights when star parties are cancelled.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.