Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report for November 28th through December 4th.
The moon will be new on December 1st. This phase will occur again in December, on the 31st. The moon will reappear in the evening skies over the weekend and will be next to Venus on Sunday the 4th.
Jupiter is returning to the skies in the morning hours. Look for it just above a very slim crescent moon at a little before sunrise on Tuesday. Venus is still very bright in the southwest as the sky darkens in the evening. Mars is high in the east and easily visible as a bright orange dot.
Some other orange-colored dots will rise into view in the east as the evening progresses. The first is Aldebaran, the bright red giant in the constellation Taurus. It is at the end of one side of the “V” shaped Hyades open star cluster. By about 7:30, you should be able to see another red giant climbing above the horizon, Betelgeuse, the shoulder star of the constellation Orion the Hunter.
Wednesday night viewing on the Robert Lee Moore Hall has been cancelled for the remainder of the year, since the roof construction continues. We expect to be open as usual for the spring semester, starting in late January.
The Painter Hall telescope is open to the public on Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 9 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. Note that star party times and availability change throughout the year. Please call this recording before planning a visit to the telescopes. Observing events are weather permitting. Please call 232-4265 for weather cancellation information, which is updated 30 to 60 minutes before viewing start time only on nights when star parties are cancelled.
Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers' Report.
