texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday March 6 through Sunday March 12.

The full moon for the month of March is on Tuesday the 7th and then we’ll have a waning gibbous moon for the remainder of the week. The full moon for the month of March is known as the Sap Moon, the Worm Moon, and the Lenten Moon.

Jupiter is low in the west after sunset and is setting at 8:30 p.m. at midweek, about two hours after sunset.

Venus is above Jupiter in the west and is setting at 9:00 p.m. this week.

Mars is high overhead at sunset and is setting at 2:00 a.m. Mars looks like an orange star like its nearby neighbors of Betelgeuse in Orion and Aldebaran in Taurus.

In the morning skies, Saturn is still emerging from solar conjunction and is rising at 6:00 a.m., about 45 minutes before the Sun. Mercury is moving towards conjunction and is now lost in the Sun’s glare.

This weekend marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time for most, but not all, of the US when we move our clocks forward one hour early on Sunday morning. The 2 to 3 a.m. hour is the one that is officially skipped where the time change is observed.

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.

There will be no viewing on UT campus telescopes next week due to spring break.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.

 

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