Public Nights

The Astronomy Group within the Department of Physics and Astronomy holds monthly Public Nights.  All are welcome to come view the sky through our facilities, on campus and off. Admission to Public Nights is free. Events may be cancelled in case of bad weather/cloudy conditions.

Schedule

Our schedule shows the dates for the scheduled Public Nights this semester, the starting times for the programs, and the speakers.  Please check weather forecasts before planning your trip. Weather information specifically tailored to astronomical observing is available in the clear sky clock for Tuscaloosa generated using forecasts from the Canadian Meteorology Centre.

The following is the schedule for Spring 2024:

  • Friday, January 19, 2024
    6:00-6:30 pm: Talk: “Time Dilation: Einstein’s Theory of Relativity” by Rucellie Jimenez
    to be held in the Gallalee Hall main lecture hall, Room 227
    6:30-8:30 pm: Observing from the Gallalee Hall rooftop observatory, with Dr. Jeremy Bailin
  • Wednesday, February 14, 2024
    6:30-7:00 pm: Talk: “The invisible matter” by Abhipsa Acharya
    to be held in the Gallalee Hall main lecture hall, Room 227
    7:00-9:00 pm: Observing from the Gallalee Hall rooftop observatory, with Dr. Jimmy Irwin
  • Thursday, March 7, 2024
    CANCELLED due to clouds  Observing at Moundville Archaeological Park, observing deep sky objects, with Dr. Dean Townsley.
    For location visit this google maps link.
  • Monday, March 18, 2024
    7:30-8:00pm: Talk: “Eclipses” by RileyAnne Sharpe
    to be held in the Gallalee Hall main lecture hall, Room 227
    8:00pm-10:00pm: Observing from the Gallalee Hall rooftop observatory, with Dr. Ron Buta
  • Thursday, April 4, 2024
    8:00-10:00 pm: Observing at Moundville Archaeological Park, observing deep sky objects, with Dr. Dean Townsley.
    For location visit this google maps link.
  • Tuesday, April 23, 2024
    7:30-8:00 pm: Talk by Nethra Rajavel
    to be held in the Gallalee Hall main lecture hall, Room 227
    8:00-10:00 pm: Observing from the Gallalee Hall rooftop observatory, with Dr. Chao-Chin Yang

Please also see more information below.

Virtual public nights during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the pandemic under our limited schedule, Dr. Bill Keel worked with UA Astronomers and others to produce virtual public night videos that use the same telescope as our normal on-campus public nights.

Introduction to the UA observatory

In the first of the series, astronomer Dr. Bill Keel introduces the UA Observatory and telescope, and narrates a video tour of the crescent Moon.

More

All videos are posted on our Virtual Viewing Night Vimeo Channel.

Locations and Equipment

Most on-campus sessions use the 16-inch research-grade reflector (installed in January 2005) in the dome on top of Gallalee Hall, located at the northeast corner of University Blvd. and Hackberry Drive.

Our deep-sky observing sessions use the 16″ and (recently donated) 17″ telescopes located in Moundville Archaeological Park, or the 20-inch “Big Little Telescope” recently donated to the department. The telescope is set up on a pad in the field across the road from the museum (see locator map). The park does not charge for after-hours admission for these programs.

Groups

Please call the department office at (205) 348-5050 to give us advance warning if you are bringing a large group, so we may plan accordingly.

Parking

During the fall football season, parking restrictions on campus go into effect on the evenings before home football games, including the Gallalee Hall parking lot. All vehicles must be out of that parking lot by 6 a.m. Saturday or they will be towed at their owners’ expense.

Parking is particularly tight on homecoming weekend. Be prepared to park at a lot that is several blocks or more from Gallalee Hall. The UA CrimsonRide transit system operates late into the night.

At Moundville Archaeological Park, parking is available near our observing site and near the museum.  Refer to this google maps link for the location, or if you are familiar with the park you can find the location on this locator map showing buildings and the spot where we set up our telescope.

For More Information

For more information, call the department office at (205) 348-5050 and ask for the faculty member in charge of the date in question. To receive advance notice of events as they are scheduled, email Dona O’Neal and ask to be added to our email list.

For additional skygazing opportunities in the Birmingham area, please see the Birmingham Astronomical Society schedule. Weather information specifically tailored to astronomical observing is available in the clear sky clock for Tuscaloosa generated using forecasts from the Canadian Meteorology Centre.