Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday February 19 through Sunday February 25
The full moon for the month of February is on Saturday the 24th, so we’ll have a waxing gibbous moon for most of the week and start into the waning gibbous phase on Sunday. This full moon is known as the Snow Moon, the Wolf Moon, and the Hunger Moon.
Saturn is now very low in the west at sunset and is too close to the sun to see as it heads towards conjunction next week.
Jupiter continues to shine brightly in the southwest at sunset and is setting at 11:25 p.m. at midweek.
In the morning skies, Venus and Mars are now very close to one another and are rising at 5:45 a.m. The two planets will be about half a degree apart on Thursday morning.
Mercury is now rising just a few minutes before the sun and, like Saturn, is too close to the Sun to see since it will also be in solar conjunction next week.
In space anniversaries this week, Sunday February 25th marks 55 years since the launch of Mariner 6, part of the first dual spacecraft mission to Mars, along with its twin Mariner 7. Mariner 6 made its closest approach to Mars on July 31, 1969, just 11 days after the Apollo 11 moon landing. The spacecraft was decommissioned in December 1970 and remains in orbit around the sun.
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.
