UA Public Nights Feature Talk on Mars Rover, Jupiter Viewing

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s department of physics and astronomy invites the community to attend a series of public nights this fall to look through UA telescopes at the heavens.

The first of the free viewings is Tuesday, Sept. 25 in Gallalee Hall. The evening begins at 7 p.m. with a talk by Dr. William Keel, UA professor of physics and astronomy, on Curiosity, the Mars Rover presently sending images back from the butterscotch-colored planet. From 8-10 p.m., visitors can peer through telescopes in the dome atop Gallalee Hall. The sky viewing is hosted by Dr. Dean Townsley, UA assistant professor of physics and astronomy.

Other sky viewings this fall include:

Friday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. – Hosted by Dr. Jimmy Irwin, UA assistant professor, the event will focus UA’s telescopes atop Gallalee on the moon.

Friday, Nov. 9, 7-10 p.m., – Hosted by Drs. Ron Buta and Keel, this event will be held at UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park. Visitors can access UA telescopes on pads in a field across the road from the Moundville park’s museum. The event will focus on nebulae, star clusters and galaxies.

Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. – Hosted by Dr. Jeremy Bailin, UA assistant professor, the event will permit visitors to use the Gallalee telescopes to view Jupiter.

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 click here. Please give advance notice if you plan to bring a large group.

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

UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park is located 13 miles south of campus off state Route 69.

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.