Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday October 31 through Sunday November 6.
The moon is at first quarter early on the morning of Tuesday November 1 and then we’ll have a waxing gibbous moon for the remainder of the week.
Venus is still emerging from conjunction and sets just a few minutes after the sun.
Saturn is high in the south at 8:00 p.m. and is setting at 1:30 a.m. this week. Look for Saturn above the moon on Tuesday night. Jupiter is up in the southeast at 8:00 p.m. and is setting at 4:40 a.m. this week. Look for Jupiter above the moon on Friday night.
Mars is rising at 9:15 p.m. at midweek and is now at magnitude -1.3 and 15.4 arcseconds in size. Mars is now about a month away from its closest approach and when it will be at its brightest and largest appearance in our skies.
Mercury is now about a week away from solar conjunction and is now lost in the sun’s glare.
In space anniversaries this week, Thursday November 3 marks 65 years since the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, which carried the dog Laika aboard. Sputnik 2 was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit and Laika was the first living creature to fly into space.
Daylight saving time ends early on the morning of Sunday November 6 when we will repeat the 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. hour and return to Standard Time.
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 from currently 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 public viewing events on UT campus telescopes will move to 7 to 9 p.m. starting next week.
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.
