Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for April 28th through May 4th.
The next new moon will be on May 1st.
Saturn is now falling lower and lower in the west at sunset. Look for it above the Hyades open cluster and to the upper right of the constellation Orion. On May 4th, a very thin crescent moon will be below and to the right of Saturn. Jupiter is now further into the west as twilight ends.
Venus is skimming along the eastern horizon around 6 a.m. with Mars much higher in the south-southeast.
Just after midnight on Monday the 28th, the expedition seven crew entered the International Space Station to start their mission. The expedition six crew, which has been aboard the station since last November, will depart on Saturday. To learn more about the mission, see NASA's Human Spaceflight Mission website at: spaceflight.nasa.gov
The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights starting at 8:30 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 telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 8:30 to 9:30 and Saturdays are open to the general public from 8:30 to 10:30. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe.
All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting.
Please note that star party times change throughout the year. Please call this recording to check times before planning a visit to the telescopes. The final public viewing nights for the spring semester will be the week of May 5th. Summer viewing will start in June.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
