TUSCALOOSA, Ala -- The University of Alabama astronomy program will hold its Public Nights series offering sky viewing through telescopes at Gallalee Hall on campus and in Moundville Archaeological Park.

The public is invited to view the sky through the 16-inch, research-grade telescope in the dome on top of Gallalee Hall, located at the corner of University Blvd. and Hackberry Drive. Deep-sky observing sessions will use the 16- and 17-inch telescopes set up in Moundville Archaeological Park across from the museum.

The UA Public Nights sky viewing program includes the following sessions, celestial topics, and UA faculty member from the department of physics and astronomy who will be leading the session for the night:

• Friday, Sept. 2, 8 p.m., Gallalee Hall, Dr. Ray White, outer planets, star clusters and nebulae of the summer Milky Way
  
• Friday, Sept. 30, 7:30-10 p.m., Moundville Park, Drs. Ron Buta and Bill Keel, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies
  
• Friday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m., Gallalee Hall, Dr. Ron Buta, Mars
  
• Friday, Nov. 11, 7:30 p.m., Gallalee Hall, Dr. Bill Keel, the Moon, Mars
  
• Friday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., Gallalee Hall, Dr. Gene Byrd, the Moon, Mars

For more information, contact the UA department of physics and astronomy at 205/348-5050 and go to http://www.astr.ua.edu/Public.html.

The events are open to the public free of charge. Large groups of participants are asked to let the department know in advance when they are planning to attend.