See the Stars Through UA’s New Telescope

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama’s astronomy department will hold its first free public sky viewing of the spring 2005 season and will focus on Saturn, the Orion Nebula and the comet Machholz at Gallalee Hall on Feb. 4 at 7 p.m.

Dr. William Keel, professor of astronomy, will give a short lecture on Saturn, the Orion Nebula and comet Machholz before guests look through the new 16-inch research grade reflector, installed last month, in the dome on top of Gallalee Hall. Gallalee Hall is located on the UA campus near the intersection of Hackberry Lane and University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa.

A pioneer in the teaching of astronomy, UA recently purchased the telescope to replace one that had served as the University’s primary telescope since 1950. The older telescope was purchased by an antique telescope collector.

The new, Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope has two and one-half times the light gathering power of the old one, computer positioning, and allows the use of digital imaging instruments. It is the third main telescope in UA’s history. The first was housed in UA’s only remaining original classroom building, Maxwell Hall, which was built as an observatory in 1843-44 and is now home to UA’s Computer-Based Honors Program.

This is the first public viewing of the spring 2005 semester. For more information on events or questions about weather and event scheduling, please visit www.astr.ua.edu/Public Nights.html, or call the department of physics and astronomy at 205/348-5050. Large groups are encouraged to call and give advanced notice so the department can plan accordingly.

The department of physics and astronomy is housed within the College of Arts and Sciences. The College is the University’s largest division and the largest public liberal arts college in the state with 6,600 students and 360 faculty. Students from the college have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships, and memberships on the “USA Today” Academic All American Team.