texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for January 6th through the 12th.

The moon is at first quarter on Friday the 10th.

Venus is at its greatest western elongation on the 10th and rises at about 4 in the morning. Mars is a little to Venus' upper right and rises at about 3:30 a.m.

Brilliant Saturn lies near Orion the Hunter and is now well placed for early evening observing. Jupiter rises a little before 8 p.m. this week.

Last week the planet Saturn passed directly in front of the Crab Nebula, the remnant of a supernova that exploded in 1054. For several days after this encounter the planet and nebula should be visible in the same field of view, although the brightness of Saturn may overwhelm the dimmer nebula.

Public viewing at Robert Lee Moore Hall and Painter Hall will resume this month. Please call this recording next week for spring semester times and start dates.