Celebrating 35 years of the Cockrell Sundial

At 7:44 am on Sunday, September 22, 2024, the Sun is overhead at the equator, marking the autumnal (fall) equinox. Also, October 2024 marks the 35th anniversary of our Cockrell Sundial.  Here at the Museum, we’ll mark the occasion with a special event on Saturday, September 21, brought to you by Rice University along with […]

Harvest Moon | September 2021 Sky Happenings

Venus remains in the evening sky this month. Venus outshines everything except the Sun and the Moon, so it is unmistakable low in the west southwest at dusk. Jupiter and Saturn were up all night long last month, leaving them well placed for evening observing this fall. Look for Jupiter and Saturn rising in the east […]

Why Does Autumn Start While It’s Still So Hot?!

It’s a common joke I’ve been hearing lately, and in a way it makes sense. Why celebrate the beginning of the season before the weather even begins to change?  However, there are more changes in store for us than merely the temperature, and in the past these changes have been a vital reminder to our […]

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: The Equinox Approaches

This month, Mars remains in the southwest at dusk this month as it pulls away from Saturn. Mars continues to fade a little each night as Earth continues to leave it farther behind. Mars is near Antares in Scorpius by the end of the month. Saturn is now lower in the southwest at dusk. It […]

Seeing Stars with James Wooten: Springing forward into Daylight Saving Time

This month, Jupiter remains well placed for evening observing all winter and spring. Look for it almost overhead at dusk and high in the west later in the evening. Mars remains in the morning sky. It continues to brighten a bit in the south at dawn. Later in March, it also begins rising in late […]


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