Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday November 27 through Sunday December 3.
The full moon for the month of November is on Monday the 27th and then we’ll have a waning gibbous moon for the remainder of the week. This full moon is known as the Frost Moon and the Snow Moon.
Mercury is low in the west after sundown and is setting at 6:45 p.m. at midweek, about an hour and 15 minutes after sunset, so you might be able to catch Mercury before it sets if you have a good view of the western horizon.
Saturn is up in the south at sundown and is setting at 11:40 p.m. at midweek.
Jupiter is shining brightly in the east at sunset and is setting at 4:50 a.m. at midweek.
In the morning skies, Venus is rising at 3:45 a.m., still over three hours before sunrise.
Mars is still emerging from conjunction and is still too close to the sun to see.
In space anniversaries this week, Sunday December 3rd marks 50 years since Pioneer 10 made its closest approach to Jupiter and became the first spacecraft to explore the planet up close. Since Pioneer 10, 8 other missions have explored Jupiter, including the Juno spacecraft that is currently in orbit around the gas giant.
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.
Next week will be the final week of public viewing at the PMA telescope for the fall 2023 semester.
Public viewing at the 9-inch refractor at Painter Hall is on Friday and Saturday nights currently 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.
This week will be the final week of public viewing at the Painter Hall Telescope for the fall 2023 semester.
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.
