Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for October 8th through the 14th.
The moon is at last quarter a little before midnight on Tuesday in the Central time zone.
Mars is still in the south at sunset and currently sets around 12:30 a.m. Saturn rises just after 10 p.m. mid-week, with Jupiter rising around midnight.
Venus rises at about 5:45 a.m. and is still visible in the eastern sky shortly before sunrise.
The 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft is due to arrive at the Red Planet on October 23rd , and begin orbital insertion at about 9:30 p.m. central time. The main goals of the mission will be to map the amount and distribution of minerals and elements on the surface of Mars, to look for water and to investigate the radiation environment. For more about the mission, see the official homepage at https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/odyssey/
Wednesday night star parties at Robert Lee Moore Hall start at 8 p.m. The building is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton (formerly 26th street) and Speedway. Take the elevator to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.
Painter Hall public viewing is on Saturday evening and starts at 8:30 p.m. Friday nights are open to UT students, faculty and staff at 8:30 p.m. The building is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' report.
