Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for April 25th through May 1st.
The moon is at third quarter on Sunday May 1st.
Saturn is now into the western skies as darkness falls and is setting around 1:30 am. Jupiter is in the southeast around 9 p.m. this week and sets a little before sunrise.
Mars, Uranus and Neptune are in a line in the southeast morning skies, with Mercury coming up at about 5:45 a.m. Mercury is at its greatest elongation west on Tuesday, meaning that it will be up at its highest point in the east before sunrise that morning.
Venus is just emerging from behind the sun and will become visible in the western skies in the next few months.
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 8 to 10 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 8 to 10 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.
Next week will be the final week of public viewing for the spring semester. Summer viewing will start in June.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
