Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for October 29th through November 4th.
The next full moon occurs, appropriately enough, on Halloween night. Technically the full phase occurs on November first in Universal Time, which means that there will be two full moons in the month of November. If you go by the US central time zone though, the month of October has two full moons. The full moon for the month of November is called the Frosty moon, the Beaver moon and since this is the first full moon after the Harvest moon, this one is also known as the Hunter's moon.
In the early morning hours before dawn, Venus and Mercury pair up this week low in the east. At their closest, the two innermost planets are separated by around half a degree.
Saturn rises just a little past 7:30 at mid-week. About 5 degrees to the right is the bright star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus. Orion is now completely above the horizon by about 10 o'clock and Jupiter rises at about the same time.
Wednesday night star parties at Robert Lee Moore Hall now start at 7 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. We will be open this Wednesday on Halloween if weather permits.
Painter Hall public viewing is on Saturday evening and starts at 7 p.m. Friday nights are open to UT students, faculty and staff at 7 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.
