texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for September 9th through the 15th.

The moon is at first quarter on Friday the 13th.

On Monday, a slim crescent moon teams up with a sinking Venus in the western sky just after sunset. On the 10th, the moon will be above and to the left of Venus.

On the 12th, the moon will be hanging just above the bright orange star Antares in the constellation Scorpius, which is now low in the southwest just an hour or so after sunset.

Straight overhead at about 9:00 p.m. this week are the stars of the constellations Lyra, Cygnus and Hercules. Scanning through these constellations with binoculars or a telescope will reveal several famous objects including the great globular cluster in Hercules, the Ring Nebula in Lyra and the colorful binary star pair of Albireo in Cygnus.

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. The building 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.

The telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays are open to the general public from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. 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.