Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday February 24th through Sunday March 2nd.
The new moon for the month of February is late on Thursday the 27th, so we’ll have a waning crescent moon in the early morning skies for the first part of the week, and then a waxing crescent moon low in the west after sunset for the weekend.
Saturn is now very low in the west at sunset and is setting at 7:15 p.m., less an hour after the sun, as it heads towards solar conjunction in mid-March.
Mercury is above Saturn and is setting at 7:35 p.m. at midweek. Earlier in the week, Mercury and Saturn will be less than two degrees apart from one another.
Venus is still very bright in the west after sunset and is setting at 8:55 p.m. A look at Venus in a telescope will show that it is now only 15% illuminated so it looks like a tiny crescent moon. And on Saturday March 1, the actual thin crescent moon will be to the lower left of Venus.
Jupiter is high overhead as the sky darkens after sunset and is setting at 1:40 a.m.
Mars up in the east in the early evening and is still near the stars Castor and Pollux of the constellation Gemini the Twins. Mars is setting at 4:25 a.m. at midweek.
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. Enter Painter Hall on the east side of the building at the "Celebrated Entrance", 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.
