Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday June 11th through Sunday June 17th.
The new moon for the month of June is on Wednesday the 13th so we'll start the week with a waning crescent moon and then have a waxing crescent moon in our early evening skies for the remainder of the week.
Mercury is emerging from conjunction and is setting a little less than an hour after the sun at midweek.
Venus is still shining brightly in the west after sunset and it is setting at 11:10 p.m. this week. Look for a thin crescent moon near Venus on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Jupiter is high in the south-southeast at nightfall and is setting at 4:15 a.m. this week. Saturn is rising at 9:20 p.m. this week followed by Mars at 11:35 p.m.
In space anniversaries this week, Wednesday June 13 marks 35 years since the Pioneer 10 spacecraft became the first human-made spacecraft to leave the solar system. And Saturday June 16th marks 55 years since the launch of cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of Robert Lee Moore Hall is on Wednesday nights from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. this summer. 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 Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. this summer. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about halfway between Speedway and Guadalupe and is northeast of the UT Tower. Take the elevator to the 5th floor and then take the stairs up to the 6th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.
Please arrive at RLM or Painter Hall before 10 p.m. to ensure access to the buildings.
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.
