Welcome to the University of Texas Skywatchers Report for Monday September 15th through Sunday September 21st.

The moon is new late on Sunday the 21st, so we’ll have a waning crescent moon for the whole week. After the lunar eclipse at the full moon, the Sun, Moon, and Earth are still aligned enough for some parts of the planet to see a partial solar eclipse at this new moon. The eclipse will be visible in parts of Antarctica, the South Pacific, and at sunrise in New Zealand.

Mercury is emerging from conjunction and is too close to the sun to see this week.

Mars is still hanging on in the evening skies, low in the west-southwest at sunset and is setting at 9 p.m. at midweek.

Saturn is at opposition at the end of the week when it will rise at sunset and set at sunrise and therefore is visible all night. After opposition, Saturn will be a little higher in the east each night as darkness falls, so we’re entering into a great time to observe the ringed planet in the early evening. Saturn’s rings are still fairly narrow after the Earth’s ring plane crossing earlier this year, but their tilt will gradually grow until they are at their maximum angle in May 2032.

Jupiter is rising at 2:15 a.m. and will be just off the limb of the waning crescent moon on Tuesday morning.

Venus is rising at 4:40 a.m. at midweek and will be near Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. Look for the very thin crescent moon near the star and planet on Friday morning.

Public viewing at 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. There will be no viewing at Painter Hall this Saturday due to the home football game.

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 times.

Thank you for calling the University of Texas Skywatchers Report.