Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday April 22 through Sunday April 28.

The moon is at third quarter on Friday the 26th so we'll have a waning gibbous moon for the work week and a waning crescent moon in the pre-dawn skies for the weekend.

Mars is still in the west at sundown and is setting at 11:20 p.m. this week.

Jupiter is rising at 11:40 p.m. at midweek as it moves back in our pre-midnight skies. Look for Jupiter near the moon on Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Saturn is rising at 1:35 a.m. at midweek. Look for Saturn near the moon on Thursday morning.

Venus is rising at 5:35 a.m. this week, a little over an hour before the sun. Mercury follows at 5:55 a.m.

Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of Robert Lee Moore Hall is on Wednesday nights currently from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. RLM 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 currently from 8:30 to 10:30 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.