Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday January 26th through Sunday February 1st.

The moon was at first quarter very late on Sunday the 25th and will reach full late on Sunday February 1st, so we’ll have a waxing gibbous moon for all of this week. This full moon is known as the Snow Moon, the Wolf Moon, and the Hunger Moon.

Mercury and Venus are both emerging from conjunction and will be very close to one another on Wednesday and Thursday, but they are setting just 25 minutes after the sun, so they won’t be visible in our skies.

Saturn in the west-southwest as the sky darkens after sunset and is setting at 9:50 p.m. this week.

Jupiter is up in the east after sunset and is setting at 6:10 a.m. Look for Jupiter next to the moon on Friday night.

Mars is emerging from behind the sun and is rising 10-15 minutes before the sun, so it isn’t visible from Earth.

In space anniversaries this week, Saturday January 31 marks 55 years since the launch of Apollo 14 on its mission to the moon. And 40 years ago, on Wednesday the 28th, the Space Shuttle Challenger was lost 73 seconds after launch due to the rupture of an O-ring on the right side solid rocket booster, claiming the lives of the seven astronauts aboard.

Public viewing at the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights 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 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.

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.