Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday January 13th through Monday January 20th.
The moon is full on Monday January 13th and then we’ll have a waning gibbous moon for the remainder of the week. This full moon is known as the Old Moon, the Moon After Yule, and the Wolf Moon.
Venus and Saturn are in the west-southwest at sunset and will continue to move towards one another this week. The pair will be setting around 9:35 p.m. at midweek.
Jupiter is high in the southeast as the sky darkens after sunset and is setting at 4:25 a.m.
Mars is at opposition on Wednesday night when it will rise at sunset and set at sunrise and will therefore be visible all night long. On Monday night, the Moon will move in front of Mars in what is known as an occultation. The occultation will be visible in Austin, when you will see Mars duck behind the moon at about 7:50 p.m. and then emerge about an hour later.
Mercury is moving back towards the sun in the morning skies and is rising at 6:35 a.m. at midweek, a little under an hour before sunrise.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights currently 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 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.
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.
