Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for July 17th through the 23rd.
The moon is at third quarter on Monday the 17th. The moon will be close alongside The Pleiades star cluster on the morning of the 20th. The very slim crescent moon will be above Venus in the morning hours in the east on the 22nd and below Venus on the 23rd.
Jupiter is still the brightest object besides the moon in our evening skies. It can be seen in the south-southwest as the sky darkens. Mars can still be seen low in the west after sunset and is next to Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. The two will be a little over half a degree apart on the 22nd.
The space shuttle Discovery landed safely Monday the 17th after a successful mission to the International Space Station. You can see all the coverage of the mission at www.nasa.gov
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.
