Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Tuesday July 2nd through Sunday July 7th.
The new moon for the month of July is on Tuesday the 2nd and then we'll have a waxing crescent moon for the remainder of the week. With this new moon, some lucky observers will see a total solar eclipse. The vast majority of the eclipse path will be over the southern Pacific Ocean, but it will cross land over southern South America. Most of the continent will see a partial eclipse and the path oftotality will cross a narrow section of Chile and Argentina.
Earth reaches aphelion, its farthest point from the Sun in its orbit, on Thursday July 4th. The earth will be 152 million kilometers from the sun that day, compared to the 147 million kilometers back in January.
Mercury and Mars are still relatively close to one another low in the west after sunset and are setting a little before 10 p.m.
Jupiter is up in the southeast at nightfall and is setting a little before 5 in the morning.
Saturn is rising at 8:45 p.m. at midweek, just a few minutes after sunset.
In the morning skies, Venus is rising at 5:45 a.m., about 45 minutes before the sun.
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.
