texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for June 25th through July 1st.

The moon is at first quarter late in the evening of Wednesday the 27th.

Mars is the main attraction this summer. It is rising at about 7:30 by midweek and is fairly high in the southeast by sunset. You can keep up with the latest discoveries from Mars at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Exploration website at mars.jpl.nasa.gov.

Venus is the main morning object, shining high in the east before dawn. Jupiter makes its reappearance in the morning skies rising about half an hour before the sun. Saturn is also now visible in the morning hours rising at about 5:00 a.m. this week.

If you didn't get to Africa for last week's solar eclipse, you can still see video and pictures on www.spaceweather.com and www.space.com.

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. The telescope at RLM will be open next Wednesday for the 4th of July.

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.