Space Milestones Retrospect Set for April 12, 30 Years After First Shuttle Launch, Skyviewing at UA to Follow

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On April 12, precisely 30 years after the first space shuttle launch, University of Alabama scientists with an interest in space will host a look back at human space flight and a look ahead to our post-space shuttle future – before leading visitors to the Gallalee Hall roof to peer through a telescope and remember what all the fuss is about.

The event, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Gallalee Hall, room 227, also marks the 50^th anniversary of the first human space flight, performed by a Soviet cosmonaut. It will include a presentation punctuated by historical photographs outlining the history of human space flight along with discussions about what may lie ahead for the nation’s space program.

Close-out of the shuttle program is scheduled following its final mission in July.

Drs. William Keel, professor of astronomy, and Dean Townsley, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, are leading the event, hosted by UA’s department of physics and astronomy.

In addition to seeing the moon and Saturn through a UA telescope, weather permitting, visitors can see first-hand a tile designed for the shuttle’s exterior. The piece, which measures roughly 5 inches by 6 inches, was manufactured as a potential shuttle replacement tile. 

The skyviewing portion of the program begins at 8 p.m. on the Gallalee roof.

On April 12, 1981, NASA launched space shuttle Columbia into orbit. Potentially adding interest to the upcoming event, April 12 is the day of NASA’s expected announcement on where its retiring shuttle fleet will later be permanently displayed.

The UA telescope used for the event is located in a dome atop Gallalee Hall on The University of Alabama campus. Gallalee is located at the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive, less than a block from Denny Chimes. 

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.  

UA’s department of physics and astronomy is part of the University’s College of Arts and Sciences, UA’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.