texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for September 13th through the 19th.

The moon is new on Tuesday and will reappear as a slim crescent after sunset for the remainder of the week.

Mars is in conjunction with the sun on Wednesday and will reemerge in the morning skies to join Mercury, Venus and Saturn. Jupiter will pass behind the sun and move to the morning skies next week.

After its parachutes failed to open and the Genesis spacecraft crashed to Earth, mission scientists recovered the sample canister to see what survived. The mission collected samples of the solar wind for several years, and the investigators are optimistic that most of the important science goals and still be met. For more information about the mission, go to their website at www.genesismission.org.

For more skywatching tips for the week, check out stardate.org

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall will be open on Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. RLM is located on the southeast corner of Dean Keeton and Speedway. Take the elevators to the 17th floor and follow the signs to the telescope.

The Painter Hall telescope is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 10 p.m. 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. Please call 232-4265 for weather cancellation information. Note that star party times and availability change throughout the year. Please call this recording before planning a visit to the telescopes.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.