Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday October 13th through Sunday October 19th.
The moon is at third quarter on Monday the 13th and then we’ll have a waning crescent moon for the remainder of the week.
Mercury continues to move away from the sun as it makes its way towards greatest elongation at the end of the month and is setting at 7:55 p.m. at midweek. Mars is also nearby low in the west-southwest at sunset and is setting at 8:05 p.m. at midweek. The two planets will be a couple of degrees apart from each other toward the end of the week.
Saturn is up in the east at sunset and is setting at 5:35 a.m. at midweek.
Jupiter is rising at 12:40 a.m. as it works its way back into our early evening skies through the end of the year. Look for Jupiter near the waning crescent moon early Monday and Tuesday mornings.
Venus is rising at 6 a.m. as it moves back towards the sun and its next solar conjunction. The very thin crescent moon will be alongside Venus on Sunday morning.
In space anniversaries this week, Thursday October 16th marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the first Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite, designated GOES-1. The GOES program has launched a total of 20 satellites, with new ones replacing aging satellites as technology improves. GOES 1 was retired in March 1985 and remains in a geostationary orbit.
Public viewing at 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 star party status information, which is updated 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled viewing start times.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.
