Five Opportunities to Use UA Telescopes this Fall

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The public is invited to view the moon through a University of Alabama telescope Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

During the first of five planned events for the fall semester, visitors may view the moon through UA’s 16-inch research-grade reflector telescope in the dome on top of Gallalee Hall. The event is hosted by Dr. Dean Townsley, assistant professor in UA’s department of physics and astronomy.

Gallalee is located at the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive, less than a block from Denny Chimes.

Additional public sky viewings planned for this fall are:

Saturday, Oct. 8 (Homecoming) – on the Quad. Time to be announced. Visitors may participate in a safe solar viewing, hosted by Dr. William Keel, professor of astronomy, and/or see the moon as part of the International Observe the Moon Night. Specifics will be determined once kick-off time is selected.

Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. to 10 pm – Nebulae and star clusters from the Moundville site. Hosted by Keel and Dr. Ron Buta, the viewing will use three telescopes on pads in a field across the road from the Moundville Archaeological Park’s museum.

Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m. – the moon and Jupiter. Viewing atop Gallalee Hall, hosted by Dr. Jimmy Irwin.

Friday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. – Jupiter and the moon. Viewing atop Gallalee Hall, hosted by Dr. Phil Hardee.

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

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.