texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for February 21st to the 27th.

The moon will be full on the night of Wednesday the 23rd. The full moon for February is known as the Snow Moon, the Hunger Moon and the Wolf Moon.

Monday evening, the moon will be alongside the open star cluster M44, commonly called the Beehive Cluster. The cluster was described by Galileo in the 17th century, and can be seen as a faint patch of stars to the naked eye. Large telescopes can see hundreds of stars in this relatively near-by cluster and binoculars give a nice wide-field view.

Saturn is high in the east at sunset and Jupiter rises at 9:45 this week. Jupiter and the moon will be close to one another on the night of the 26th. The southern most part of Australia and parts of Antarctica will actually see the moon occult the giant planet.

For more skywatching tips for the week, check out stardate.org

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.

The Painter Hall telescope is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights  from 7 to 9 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe.

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.