Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for June 4th through the 10th.
The full moon for the month of June is late in the evening of the 5th. This full moon is called the Rose Moon, the Flower Moon or Strawberry Moon.
In the early morning hours of Friday Venus is at its greatest elongation west, meaning it is rising at its earliest point before the sun. It is also at the point where it appears half-lit from Earth and is shining at over magnitude 4.
Mars is rising at about 9 p.m. this week. It will be at opposition next week and at its closest point to the earth in two weeks. The Mars Global Surveyor mission continues to return amazing images of the Red Planet. You can follow this mission and other Mars exploration programs at https://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/
Summer public viewing on University campus telescopes will resume this week. Wednesday night viewing is held at Robert Lee Moore Hall and will begin at 9:00 p.m. The building is located at the southeast corner of Dean Keeton (formerly 26th street) and Speedway. Take the elevators to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.
Viewing at the Painter Hall telescope will be on Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. for the general public and on Fridays at 9:00 for UT students, faculty and staff. 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. Observing events are weather permitting.
