Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for January 13th through the 20th.
The full moon for the month of January is on the 18th. This full moon is called the Cold Moon or the Moon After Yule.
The moon will appear between two open clusters in Taurus on the 13th. Above will be the Pleiades, commonly called The Seven Sisters, and below will be the V-shaped Hyades.
Below and to the right of the moon on the 18th is a brilliant Jupiter. On the 19th, Jupiter will be above and to the right of the Moon.
Saturn is high in the east at sunset this week. On the 15th, Saturn will be to the right of the moon.
The space shuttle Columbia is due to launch on the 16th on a mission dedicated to space research. You can learn more and follow the mission at spaceflight.nasa.gov
Public viewing at Robert Lee Moore Hall will resume next Wednesday on January 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
The telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays are open to the general public from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe. Painter Hall viewing resumes this week.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting.
Please note that star party times change throughout the year.
