Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for October 21st through the 27th.
The full moon for the month of October is on Monday the 21st. The full moon after the Harvest moon is traditionally called the Hunters Moon. The moon will pair up with Saturn in the early morning hours of Saturday the 26th.
This coming weekend is the end of Daylight Saving Time, so remember to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night or Sunday morning.
This Tuesday is the peak of the Orionid Meteor shower, the first of several major meteor showers in the autumn months. These meteors appear to come from a point near the head of the constellation Orion, one of the most recognizable figures in the sky. Unfortunately, the light from the full moon will interfere with observing this year's Orionids.
The telescope at Robert Lee Moore hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. The building 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. Starting next week, the public viewing will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays are open to the general public from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe. The Painter Hall viewing times will change next weekend with the return to Standard Time. Please call this recording for new times next week.
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.
