Four Opportunities to Use UA Telescopes during Spring Semester

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The public is invited to view Jupiter through a University of Alabama telescope Feb. 10 beginning at 7 p.m.

This sky viewing, which is contingent on the weather, is the first in a series of events open to the public during the spring semester. The Feb. 10 event is expected to attract many high school physics students in town for the on-campus physics contest scheduled for the following day.

Hosted by Dr. Phil Hardee, professor of physics and astronomy, the Feb. 10 event gives attendees an opportunity to look through UA’s 16-inch research grade reflector telescope in the dome atop Gallalee Hall on the UA campus.

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

Subsequent sky viewings are scheduled as follows:

Friday, March 4, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Nebulae, 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.

Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.  — The moon, Saturn. The night begins with a public talk in 227 Gallalee followed by an 8 p.m. sky viewing atop Gallalee Hall, hosted by Dr. Dean Townsley, assistant professor. 

Friday, May 6, 8 p.m. — The moon, Saturn.  Dr. Jimmy Irwin, assistant professor, hosts a viewing using the telescope atop Gallalee Hall.  

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.