texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for July 10th through the 16th.

The full moon for the month of July is on Monday the 10th. This full moon is called the Thunder Moon and the Hay Moon.

Between the nights of the 13th and the 14th the moon will pass by the planet Uranus. For those of us in North America, Uranus will be to the left of the moon on the 13th, and on the right on the 14th. Observers at the tip of South Africa and in parts of Southeast Asia will be able to see the moon occult Uranus.

The space shuttle Discovery successfully launched on July 4th and is currently docked with the International Space Station where it is expected to remain until this weekend. To follow the mission, logon to www.nasa.gov In the media resources section are several videos of the launch taken from cameras on the exterior of the solid rocket boosters, giving us a unique view of the trip into space.

Public viewing at the Painter Hall telescope is on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 to 10:30 p.m. this summer. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe. Painter viewing will run through August 12th.

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights from 9 to 10:30 p.m. RLM is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway. Take the elevators to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope. Wednesday night viewing will run through July 26th.

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.