Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday November 6 through Sunday November 12.
The moon was at third quarter on Sunday the 5th and the new moon will be early in the morning of Monday the 13th, so we’ll have a waning crescent moon in pre-dawn skies all of this week.
Mars is right next to the sun as it heads towards conjunction next week, so it is lost in the sun’s glare.
Mercury is moving away from the sun after its last conjunction and is setting at 6:15 p.m. at midweek.
Saturn is high in the south at sunset and is setting at 1:05 a.m. at midweek.
Jupiter is shining brightly in the east as the sky darkens after sunset and is setting at 6:20 a.m., so it is still visible almost all night long.
Venus rises at 3:20 a.m. and is up for 3 hours and 40 minutes before sunrise. Look for Venus just to the upper right of the waning crescent moon on Thursday morning. Some parts of the Earth will see the moon move in front of Venus in what is known as an occultation.
In space anniversaries this week, Wednesday November 8th marks 55 years since the launch of Pioneer 9, one of four probes designed to measure and characterize the interplanetary space environment by studying the solar wind, the solar magnetic field, and cosmic rays. Final contact with Pioneer 9 was in 1983, but it is thought that the other three Pioneers 6, 7, and 8 are still operational, although no longer actively in contact with ground operations.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights now from 7 to 9 p.m. PMA 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.
Public viewing at the 9-inch refractor at Painter Hall is on Friday and Saturday nights now from 7 to 9 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe and is northeast of the UT Tower. Take the elevator to the 5th floor then take the stairs up to the 6th floor and follow the signs up to the telescope.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that viewing times and availability change throughout the year so please check the schedule before planning a visit. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 512-232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled viewing start time.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.
