Jupiter Highlights Semester’s First UA Public Sky Viewing
August 28, 2006 - Filed under: Events | Tagged: Physics & Astronomy
Jupiter, as viewed on May 25, through UA's 16-inch telescope. (Image courtesy Dr. William Keel).
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Friday night marks The University of Alabama’s initial public sky viewing of the fall semester with a close look, weather permitting, at Jupiter and the moon.
Hosted by Dr. Ron Buta, professor in UA’s department of physics and astronomy, the free public viewing begins at 7:30 p.m. and uses UA’s 16-inch research grade reflector telescope housed in the dome atop Gallalee Hall.
Gallalee is located near the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Lane.
To park next to Gallalee Hall during evenings prior to home football games, such as Friday night, observatory parking permits will be made available. For more information on public nights, phone 205/348-5050.
Future public nights include:
Friday, Sept. 29 – 7:30 (Gallalee roof) – the moon, Ring Nebula (Dr. Jack Sulentic)
Friday, Oct. 13 (tentative) – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – (Moundville) – star clusters, nebulae and galaxies (Drs. Bill Keel, Ron Buta)
Friday, Oct. 27 – 7:30 p.m. (Gallalee roof) the moon, Ring Nebula
Friday, Dec. 1 – 7:30 p.m. (Gallalee roof) the moon, Orion Nebula
The tentative Oct. 13 event would use the 16-inch and 17-inch telescopes located at Moundville Archaeological Park. The Moundville telescopes are on pads in a field across the road from the park’s museum. Parking is available at the museum and near the park’s conference center.
For more information about scheduled events, see http://www.astr.ua.edu/Public.html or phone 205/348-5050.
The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.
CONTACT: Chris Bryant, Assistant Director of Media Relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu