Moon Comes into Focus during UA Astronomy’s Public Sky-Viewings

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. The moon, both eclipsed and out of the shadows, takes center stage this fall during The University of Alabama’s public sky viewings.

Four of this semester’s five free events, hosted by UA’s department of physics and astronomy, offer the public an opportunity to peer at the moon through UA telescopes. Star clusters and nebulae are the focus of the other session, and Jupiter joins the moon as the focus of a session.  

During the first event, Saturday, Sept. 18 beginning at 8 p.m., participants may view the moon through UA’s 16-inch research-grade reflectortelescope in the dome on top of Gallalee Hall.

Gallalee is located at the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive, less than a block from Denny Chimes. The session is hosted by Dr. Dean Townsley, an assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy.

This event is part of the International Observe the Moon Night established, in part, to bring attention to NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, presently orbiting 50 km above the moon’s surface and sending back images.

All sky viewings are contingent upon the weather. Cloudy skies are not conducive to viewing. For more information about scheduled events, phone 205/348-5050 or go online to http://astronomy.ua.edu/Public.html

Additional sky viewings include:

Tuesday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. – The moon and Jupiter –  The night begins with a public talk by Dr. Patrick Toale, assistant professor, followed by an 8 p.m. skyviewing atop Gallalee Hall, hosted by Dr. Phil Hardee, professor in the physics and astronomy department.  

Friday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Nebulae and star clusters, from the Moundville site – Hosted by Drs. Ron Buta and William Keel, professors, the viewing will use three telescopes on pads in a field across the road from the Moundville Archaeological Park’s museum.

Friday, Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m. – The moon and Jupiter – The sky viewing returns to campus’ Gallalee Hall, hosted by Dr. Jimmy Irwin, assistant professor.

Monday, Dec. 20, 11 p.m. – Total lunar eclipse – The fun starts late and stretches into the early morning hours as participants can watch, from atop Gallalee Hall, as the Earth’s shadow hides the moon from view.

UA’s department of physics and astronomy is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.