Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday September 11 through Sunday September 17.
The new moon for the month of September is on the night of Thursday the 14th so we’ll have a waning crescent moon in the pre-dawn skies for the first half of the week and a waxing crescent moon in the west after sunset for the second half of the week.
Mars is low in the west after sunset and is setting at 8:35 p.m. at midweek. Mars will be to the right of the very thin crescent moon on Saturday evening.
In the early evening eastern skies, Saturn is rising at 6:45 p.m. and is now well-placed for observing by the time the sky is fully dark after sunset.
Jupiter is now rising a little after 10 p.m. as it moves towards opposition in mid-autumn.
In the morning skies, Venus is rising at 4:30 a.m. and is shining at a very bright magnitude -4.5.
Mercury is rising at 6:15 a.m. at midweek, about an hour before the sun.
In space anniversaries this week, Thursday September 14 marks 45 years since the launch of the Soviet Venera 12 mission to Venus, the twin of Venera 11 that had its 45th anniversary last week. Venera 12 landed on Venus on December 21 and operated for 110 minutes on the surface, collecting data with a variety of instruments. Like its twin, a design flaw prevented the camera cover from being ejected, so no surface photos were taken by the spacecraft.
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.
