texas

skywatchers report


Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for October 20th through the 26th.

The moon is new on Saturday the 25th. Mars is still visible in the south in the early evening hours and is still quite bright. Saturn rises at about 11:30 p.m. this week and is visible to the left of Orion as they rise in the east.

This Tuesday night into Wednesday morning is the peak of the Orionid Meteor Shower. While not usually as prolific as the winter showers such as the Leonids and Geminids, the Orionids can still produce around 25 meteors an hours at its peak.

This weekend is the change from Daylight Saving time back to Standard time. The officially repeated hour is 2 to 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. The time change means earlier sunsets and more time for evening skywatching.

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

The telescope at Robert Lee Moore Hall is open to the public on Wednesday nights starting at 8:00 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. Star party start times will move to 7:00 p.m. starting next week.

The telescope at Painter hall is open on Fridays for UT students, faculty and staff and Saturdays are open for the general public, both currently running from 9 to 11 p.m. Painter Hall is located on 24th street about half way between Speedway and Guadalupe. Star party start times will move to 8 p.m. starting next week.

All events are free and open to all ages and no reservations are required. Observing events are weather permitting. Call 232-4265 for up-to-date cancellation information.

Note that star party times change throughout the year. Please call this recording to check times before planning a visit to the telescopes. Star party start times will change next week due to the return to standard time this weekend.

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