TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A total lunar eclipse and multiple opportunities to be awed by Saturn and its magnificent rings highlight the public’s spring 2007 sky viewing opportunities, as hosted by University of Alabama astronomers.
The first event, Feb. 1 beginning at 7 p.m., focuses on Saturn and the moon and utilizes UA’s 16-inch research grade reflector telescope atop Gallalee Hall. Hosted by Dr. Ron Buta, a professor in UA’s department of physics and astronomy, the event is contingent on the weather and is free. A large number of high school students visiting campus for the following day’s physics contest are expected to attend.
Additional free telescope sky viewing opportunities during the spring semester include:
- Saturday, March 3 – total lunar eclipse, 6-8 p.m. (atop Gallalee Hall), hosted by Dr. William Keel.
- Friday, March 9 – star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, 7-10 p.m. (Moundville), hosted by Keel and Buta.
- Tuesday, March 27 – the moon, Saturn, 8 p.m. (atop Gallalee Hall), hosted by Dr. Phil Hardee.
- Friday, April 27 – the moon, Saturn, 8 p.m. (atop Gallalee Hall), hosted by Dr. Gene Byrd.
Gallalee Hall is located near the northwest corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Lane on the UA campus. For more information about scheduled events, phone 205/348-5050 or see http://www.astr.ua.edu/Public.html.
For the March 9 viewing at Moundville, the public will have access to the 17- and 20-inch telescopes on pads in a field across the road from the Moundville park’s museum. Parking is available at the museum and near the park’s conference center.
The department of physics and astronomy is part of UA’s 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.
Contact
Chris Bryant, Assistant Director of Media Relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu