Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Tuesday September 5 through Sunday September 10.
The moon is at third quarter on Wednesday night, so we’ll start the week with a waning gibbous moon and finish the week with a waning crescent moon in the eastern pre-dawn skies.
Mercury is at inferior conjunction Wednesday morning and will pass between the Earth and the Sun from the Earth’s perspective. After conjunction, Mercury will begin to emerge in the pre-dawn skies shortly before sunrise.
In the evening skies, Mars is now very low in the west at sundown and is setting at 8:50 p.m.
Over in the east, Saturn is rising at 7:10 p.m. so it is well-placed for observing by 9:00 p.m.
Jupiter follows at 10:35 p.m. and is visible for the remainder of the night.
In the morning skies, Venus is rising at 4:50 a.m., almost two and a half hours before sunrise.
In space anniversaries this week, Saturday September 9 marks 45 years since the launch of the Soviet Venera 11 mission to Venus. The lander successfully made it through the thick Venusian atmosphere and returned data for 95 minutes although no photos were taken because the lens cover failed to eject because of a design flaw.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights currently from 8 to 10 p.m. PMA is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway. Take the elevator to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.
Public viewing at the 9-inch refractor at Painter Hall is on Friday and Saturday nights currently from 8 to 10 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe and is northeast of the UT Tower. Take the elevator to the 5th floor then take the stairs up to the 6th floor and follow the signs up to the telescope.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that viewing times and availability change throughout the year so please check the schedule before planning a visit. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 512-232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled viewing start time.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.
