Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday September 30 through Sunday October 6.
The moon is new on Wednesday October 2, so we’ll have a waning crescent moon in the east just before dawn to start the week and then a waxing crescent moon visible in the west just after sunset for the latter half of the week.
With this new moon, some parts of the Earth will see an annular solar eclipse, although the continental US will miss out this time. The annular phase of the eclipse will be visible over the south Pacific and the southern tips of Chile and Argentina, but Hawaii and more of South America will see a partial eclipse.
Mercury is in superior conjunction with the Sun on Monday the 30th when it will pass behind the Sun from the Earth’s point of view. After conjunction, Mercury will slowly emerge in our early evening skies.
Venus is still shining brightly in the west at sunset and is setting at 8:45 p.m. at midweek. Look for Venus alongside the slim crescent moon on Saturday night.
Saturn is rising at 6:00 p.m. and is setting at 5:30 a.m., so it is still visible for most of the night.
Jupiter is rising at 11 p.m. at midweek and Mars follows at 12:50 a.m.
In space anniversaries this week, Saturday October 5th marks 40 years since the launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-41G, which carried astronauts Sally Ride and Kathy Sullivan among its crew of seven, making it the first spaceflight to include two women. The crew also included Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space and during the mission, Kathy Sullivan also became the first American woman to walk in space. The shuttle landed at Kennedy Space Center after 8 days on orbit.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights currently from 8 to 10 p.m. PMA 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 Friday and Saturday nights currently from 8 to 10 p.m. 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 then take the stairs up to the 6th floor and follow the signs up to the telescope.
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.
