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Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday March 25 through Sunday March 31.

The full moon for the month of March is early in the morning hours of Monday March 25th and then we’ll have a waning gibbous moon for the remainder of the week. The full moon for the month of March is known as the Sap Moon, the Worm Moon, and the Lenten Moon.

The Sun, Moon, and Earth are sliding into alignment for the total solar eclipse on April 8th, so there will be a very faint penumbral lunar eclipse with this full moon. With a penumbral eclipse, the moon skims through the outermost part of the Earth’s shadow, so it is very difficult to detect through most of the eclipse.

Mercury is low in the west after sunset and is setting at 9:10 p.m. at midweek. Jupiter is high in the west at sundown and is setting at 10:40 p.m. at midweek.

In the morning skies, Mars is up at 5:55 a.m., an hour and a half before sunrise. Saturn is up at 6:20 a.m., about an hour before sunrise. Venus rounds out the naked eye planets, rising at 6:40 a.m., about 40 minutes before sunrise.

In space anniversaries this week, Friday March 29 marks 50 years since Mariner 10 became the first spacecraft to fly by the planet Mercury. The mission eventually flew past the innermost planet three times, including a close approach of just over 200 miles in the final flyby in March 1975. The final communication with Mariner 10 was shortly after the last close approach and the spacecraft is assumed to still be in orbit around the sun.

Public viewing at the 16-inch reflector on top of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building is on Wednesday nights now from 8:30 to 10:30 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 now from 8:30 to 10:30 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 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.