Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday March 7th through Sunday March 13.
The new moon for the month of March is late on Tuesday the 8th so we'll started the week with a very thin waning crescent moon and have a waxing crescent for the remainder of the week. This new moon will also be lined up for a total solar eclipse, but unfortunately on the other side of the planet from Texas. Viewers in East Asia and Australia will see a partial solar eclipse and parts of Indonesia will be on the center line for the total eclipse.
Jupiter is at opposition on Tuesday March 8th so it will rise at sunset and set at sunrise and therefore will be visible for the entire night.
Mars is rising just before midnight at midweek, followed by Saturn at 1:05 a.m.
Venus and Mercury are moving closer to the sun with Venus rising an hour before sunrise and Mercury following about 20 minutes before sunrise.
The change to Daylight Saving Time occurs in the morning hours of Sunday March 13. 2:00 to 3:00 a.m. is the hour that is officially skipped.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of Robert Lee Moore Hall is on Wednesday nights this week from 7 to 9 p.m. RLM 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 this week 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. To get to the telescope, take the elevator to the 5th floor and exit to the left. Follow the 5th floor hallway to the end and take the staircase through the double doors on the left. Once you reach the 6th floor, go to your right and follow the signs up to the telescope.
There will be no public viewing on UT campus telescopes the week of March 14th due to Spring Break. All star party times will move to 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. starting the week of March 21st due to the change to Daylight Saving Time.
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.
