TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The department of physics and astronomy within The University of Alabama’s College of Arts and Sciences has announced its spring schedule of free public viewing events.

The public is invited to view selected celestial objects through the department’s refracting telescope in the dome on top of Gallalee Hall, located at the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive.

One session will view deep sky events from the two telescopes in Moundville Archaeological Park. Those telescopes are set up on a pad in the field across the road from the museum. The park does not charge after-hours admission for this program.

UA faculty members will present short lectures that will highlight the viewing subjects. The event dates, times, locations and speakers are as follows:

• Friday, Jan. 24, 7 p.m. (Gallalee Hall), Dr. Ron Buta, Jupiter, Saturn, Orion Nebula
• Thursday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m. (Gallalee Hall; UA Physics Contest), Dr. Jack Sulentic, the moon, Jupiter, Saturn
• Friday, March 28, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Moundville), Dr. Bill Keel, Deep-sky observing -- nebulae, star clusters and galaxies
• Friday, April 18, 8 p.m. (Gallalee Hall), Dr. Ray White, Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn
• Thursday, May 15, 8 p.m. (Gallalee Hall), Total Lunar Eclipse

For more information on events or questions about weather and event scheduling, contact the department of physics and astronomy at 205/348-5050. Large groups are encouraged to call and give advanced notice so the department may plan accordingly.

Additional information may also be obtained from the department’s web site at www.astr.ua.edu/PublicNights.html.