University of Alabama Observatory

{{Infobox Observatory

|name = University of Alabama Observatory

|background =

|image = University of Alabama Observatory.jpg

|caption =

|organization = University of Alabama

|code =

|location = Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

|coords = {{coord|33.209682|-87.543886|display=inline,title|region:US-AL_type:landmark}}

|altitude =

|weather =

|established = 1950

|closed =

|website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20100609205501/http://astronomy.ua.edu/index.html University of Alabama Astronomy Program]

|telescope1_name = Unnamed

|telescope1_type = J.W. Fecker, Inc. {{convert|10|in|abbr=on}} refractor

|telescope2_name = Unnamed

|telescope2_type = DFM Engineering {{convert|16|in|abbr=on}} Ritchey-Chrétien reflector

}}

The University of Alabama Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The new domed observatory was built atop Gallalee Hall, completed in 1949. It replaced the Old Observatory, which had been in use from 1849 until the 1890s.{{cite book |title=The University of Alabama: a guide to the campus |last=Mellown |first=Robert Oliver |year=1988 |publisher=University of Alabama Press |location=Tuscaloosa, Alabama }} Initially equipped with a {{convert|10|in|m|adj=on}} refracting telescope, this was the university's primary telescope from 1950 until 2004. The old telescope was removed and then sold to an antique telescope collector to make way for the new instrument. A new {{convert|16|in|m|adj=on}} Ritchey-Chrétien reflector, manufactured by DFM Engineering, was installed in 2005.{{cite web |url=http://astronomy.ua.edu/keel/ua16inch.html |title=University of Alabama Observatory - 16" Telescope |date=May 2006 |work=Department of Physics and Astronomy |publisher=University of Alabama |access-date=2009-12-01}}{{cite web |url=http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2005/feb05/tele020105.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315212012/http://uanews.ua.edu/anews2005/feb05/tele020105.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-03-15 |title=See the Stars Through UA's New Telescope |date=2005-02-01 |work=University of Alabama News |publisher=University of Alabama: Office of University Relations |access-date=2009-12-01}}

The observatory and its instruments are made available for free public viewing one night per month, weather permitting. The schedule for public viewing is available on the observatory's official website and is updated on a semesterly basis.