texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for August 4th through the 10th.

The moon is at first quarter on Tuesday the 5th. On the night of the 6th the moon will pass near the red-orange star Antares, the brightest in the constellation Scorpius.

Mars is now rising a little before 10 p.m. this week as it continues to move towards its closest approach with Earth in tens of thousands of years. In the past week Mars has moved about 2 million miles closer to Earth, from roughly 39 million miles to about 37 million miles. Although the closest approach is at the end of the month, Mars has been the object to watch all summer and will continue to be big and bright for the next few months.

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights starting at 9:00 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.

The telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 9 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays for the general public from 9 to 11 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe.

All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting.

Please note that star party times change throughout the year. Please call this recording to check times before planning a visit to the telescopes.

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