Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for October 10th to the 16th.
The moon is at first quarter on Monday the 10th.
Venus still rules the western skies as the evening star, shining brightly at magnitude -4.2. Over the week it will be moving towards the bright orange star Antares in the constellation Scorpius. The pair will be about a degree and a half apart on Sunday.
If you have a small telescope, even a large pair of binoculars, Venus is an interesting sight. A lot of people don’t know that Venus shows phases, similar to the moon. If you look at Venus right now, it is about half lit and half dark, similar to the moon in quarter phase.
Mars is coming up in the eastern skies at about 8:45 p.m. at the beginning of the week and by 8:25 p.m. at the end of the week.
Wednesday night viewing on the Robert Lee Moore Hall will be delayed at least one more week due to continuing construction. Please call this recording for updated information each week.
The Painter Hall telescope is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 to 10 p.m. Painter Hall 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. 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.
