UA Astronomers Set Public Sky Viewing Nights

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Visitors have four opportunities in coming weeks to view objects in space through The University of Alabama’s telescopes.

The first opportunity is Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. in UA’s Gallalee Hall. Visitors can view, weather permitting, the moon, Jupiter and Saturn through UA’s 10-inch refracting telescope within the dome on top of Gallalee Hall. The session’s speaker will be Dr. William Keel, professor of astronomy.

A second opportunity to view these objects will be Friday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Raymond White, professor of astronomy, will be the speaker.

On Friday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. visitors may peer through UA’s 16-inch telescope located at the Moundville Archaeological Park. This viewing will focus on galaxies, star clusters and nebulae. Dr. Ron Buta, professor of astronomy, will be the speaker. The Moundville telescope is on a pad in a field across the road from the park’s museum. Parking is available at the museum and near the park’s conference center.

Two weeks later, on Friday, April 27, at 8 p.m. visitors may come to UA’s Gallalee Hall and view a crescent moon. Dr. Gene Byrd, professor of astronomy, will be the speaker.

These events are free and open to the public. Gallalee Hall is located on the UA campus near the intersection of Hackberry Lane and University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa.

For more information, contact UA’s department of physics and astronomy at 205/348-5050.