Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday March 2nd through Sunday March 8th.

The full moon for the month of March occurs in the morning hours of Tuesday the 3rd, and then we’ll have a waning gibbous moon for the remainder of the week. This full moon is known as the Sap Moon, the Worm Moon, and the Lenten Moon.

And after last month’s solar eclipse, the Moon, Earth, and Sun are still aligned so some parts of the planet will see a lunar eclipse on March 3rd. Here in Austin, the partial eclipse will begin at 3:50 a.m. and will reach maximum eclipse at 5:30 a.m. The eclipse will still be in progress when the moon sets at 7 a.m.

Mercury is in inferior solar conjunction on Saturday the 7th when it will pass between the Earth and the Sun and then reemerge in our morning skies.

Saturn and Venus will move closer together throughout the week until they are just one degree apart on Sunday night, although they are setting just an hour after sunset, so you will need a clear view to the west to see the pair of planets.

Jupiter is very high in the southeast at sundown and is setting at 3:45 a.m. at midweek.

Mars is in the early morning skies and is rising just 40 minutes before the sun.

This weekend marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time for most, but not all, of the US when we move our clocks forward one hour earlier on Sunday morning. The 2 to 3 a.m. hour is the one that is officially skipped where the time change is observed.

Public viewing at the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights 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 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.

Because of the time change, all viewing times will change to 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. starting next week and going through the end of the 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 star party status information, which is updated 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled viewing start times.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.