“Future of the Universe’ Talk to Kick Off UA’s Final Sky Viewing of Fall Semester Dec. 1

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Star gazers have an opportunity to view the moon and the Orion Nebula, a region described as the “birthplace of stars,” Dec. 1 during The University of Alabama’s final public sky viewing opportunity of 2006.

Dr. Lou Clavelli, a professor in UA’s department of physics and astronomy, begins the session at 7 p.m. in Gallalee Hall, room 227, with a talk on “Supersymmetry and the Future of the Universe.” Following the talk, participants can, weather permitting, peer through UA’s 16-inch research grade reflector telescope housed in the dome atop Gallalee Hall. This viewing is hosted by Dr. William “Bill” Keel, professor of astronomy.

Supersymmetric particles are, in theory, a new type of matter, which could exist as counterparts of each of the known fundamental particles of matter, such as electrons. Clavelli and others contend these particles could be a part of dark matter. Dark matter is material that has never been seen, but scientists say they know it exists, in part because they see the gravitational influence of invisible material on the motion of astronomical objects.

Gallalee is located near the northwest corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Lane on the UA campus. For more information about scheduled events, see http://www.astr.ua.edu/Public.html or phone 205/348-5050.

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