Ring Nebula (Photo by William Keel)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The outer layers of this sun-like star, the Ring Nebula, float away, leaving the star’s former core to slowly cool and fade as a white dwarf, in this image captured from a University of Alabama campus telescope. On Friday, Oct. 13 from 7-10 p.m., weather permitting, visitors are invited to attend a free public viewing of this and other nebulae, using a pair of telescopes located at UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park. Hosted by Drs. William “Bill” Keel and Ronald Buta, professors of astronomy, the viewing offers an opportunity to also gaze at star clusters and galaxies using 17- and 20-inch telescopes on pads in a field across the road from the Moundville park’s museum. Parking is available at the museum and near the park’s conference center. For more information about this and future scheduled events, see http://www.astr.ua.edu/Public.html, or phone 205/348-5050.