Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Tuesday September 3 through Sunday September 8.

The new moon for September is early on Tuesday the 3rd, so we’ll have a waxing crescent moon in the early evening skies all of this week.

Venus is still low in the west at sunset and is setting at 9:00 p.m. at midweek. Look for Venus alongside the thin crescent moon on Thursday evening.

Saturn is at opposition on Saturday night when it will rise at sunset and set at sunrise and therefore is visible all night long. After opposition, Saturn will start to rise before sunset, so it will become well-placed for early evening observing as we head into the fall.

Jupiter rises at 12:45 a.m. at midweek and Mars follows at 1:30 a.m.

Mercury is at greatest elongation early on Thursday morning when it will rise at 5:45 a.m., almost an hour and a half before sunrise.

In space anniversaries this week, Sunday September 8 marks 20 years since the Genesis mission sample return capsule crash landed in the Utah desert. The Genesis mission launched in 2001 and collected particles of the solar wind for two and a half years before returning the sample module to Earth. Due to a faulty sensor, the parachute didn’t deploy, and the capsule crashed into the ground. However, some samples were recovered and analyzed, while some samples remain in long term storage for future study as techniques improve over 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 currently from 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 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.