Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday December 2 through Sunday December 8.
The moon will reach first quarter on Sunday the 8th, so we’ll have a waxing crescent moon in the early evening skies all of this week.
Mercury is in inferior conjunction with the sun when it will move between the Earth and Sun from our perspective and then emerge into our early morning skies over the next few weeks.
Venus is still shining brightly in the southwest at sunset and is setting at 8:40 p.m. Look for Venus and the very slim waxing crescent moon to pair up on Wednesday night.
Saturn is up in the south at sundown and is setting at 12:15 a.m. at midweek. Look for Saturn to the left of the moon on Saturday night.
Jupiter is at opposition on Saturday the 7th when it will rise at sunset and set at sunrise and will be at its closest point to the Earth for the year.
Mars is rising at 9:10 p.m. at midweek and it continues to grow in brightness and apparent size as our two planets move closer to one another over the next few weeks.
In space anniversaries this week, Tuesday December 3rd marks 50 years since the Pioneer 11 spacecraft made its closest approach to Jupiter, becoming the second mission to do so, after its twin Pioneer 10. Pioneer 11 continued on to become the first spacecraft to fly past Saturn and the second human made object to effectively leave the solar system. The mission officially ended on November 25, 1995, more than 22 years after its launch.
Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights currently from 7 to 9 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 7 to 9 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.
This week will be the final week of public viewing on the UT campus telescopes for 2024. Spring semester viewing will start in the second half of January 2025.
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.
