texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for February 20th through the 26th.

The moon is at third quarter early in the morning hours of Tuesday the 21st.

Also on the morning of the 21st, the moon will be near Antares, the bright orange star in the constellation Scorpius which is currently visible early in the morning. Observers in Indonesia, New Zealand and most of Australia will see the moon move in front of Antares in an occultation.

Saturn is still the jewel of the evening skies, high in the east as darkness falls.  Mars is high overhead and still near the Pleiades around 7:30 p.m. Mercury is at its greatest elongation late this week, so look for it almost due west shortly after sunset. Jupiter rises around midnight this week. Venus is rising at around 4:30 a.m. and is visible in the east before the sun rises.

Public viewing at the Painter Hall telescope is on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe.

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 p.m. RLM is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway. Take the elevators to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.

All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Note that star party times and availability change throughout the year. Please call this recording before planning a visit to the telescopes. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 60 minutes before viewing start time only on nights when star parties are cancelled.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.