texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday May 8th through Sunday May 14th.

The full moon for the month of May is on Wednesday the 10th so we'll start the week with a waxing gibbous moon and finish with a waning gibbous moon. The full moon for the month of May is know as the Milk Moon, the Corn Moon, and the Flower Moon.

Mars is still low in the west-northwest at sunset and is visible above the "V" of the Hyades open star cluster. Mars is setting at 10 p.m. this week.

Jupiter is up in the southeast shortly after sunset and is setting at 5:00 a.m. at midweek. This month will be good for catching the transits of the shadows of Jupiter's four largest moons across Jupiter's clouds, including multiple double transits.

Saturn is rising at 10:50 p.m. at midweek and is visible for the remainder of the night. Look for Saturn near the moon on Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Venus is rising at 4:30 a.m. so you can see it in the dawn skies before sunrise.

Mercury is now up at 5:35 a.m., about an hour before sunrise.

Public viewing on UT campus telescopes has finished for the spring semester. Summer session viewing will start the second week in June. Please check back for exact details on starting dates and times.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.