texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for October 28th through November 3rd.

The moon is at third quarter early in the morning hours of Tuesday the 29th. Early risers can catch a picturesque pairing of the waning crescent moon and Jupiter in the mornings of the 29th and 30th. Early in the morning of November 2nd you can see a very slim crescent moon with Mars, close to the eastern horizon around 5 a.m.

On the 31st, Venus is in inferior conjunction with the sun, meaning it passes between the sun and the earth. It will be moving from the evening skies to the morning skies where it will be visible just before sunrise in a couple of weeks.

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights now starting at 7 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.

The telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays are open to the general public from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe.

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.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report and have happy and safe Halloween!