MIDSOUTH STAR GAZE & ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE!

PLEASE NOTE MIDSOUTH STAR GAZE & ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE DATE CHANGE!

April 15-18, 2026!

Rainwater Observatory is gearing up for its annual Mid-South Stargaze and Astronomy Conference coming up April 15-18, 2026! This event attracts amateur and professional astronomers from around the country. It is held under one of the darkest skies in the southeastern United States and just off the beautiful Natchez Trace Parkway near the village of French Camp, Mississippi.

This year we have an exciting conference lined up with fun, fellowship, sightseeing, telescope observing and imaging with fascinating presentations by professional astronomers and others such as galaxy researcher, Dr. William Keel Professor Emeritus from the University of Alabama, Jon Talbot, astrophotographer and retired Hurricane Hunter, NASA recognized retired teacher-lecturer-astrophotographer and Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (A.L.P.O.) Lunar Recorder, Dave Teske! We will also have a space art-astrophotography exhibit on display at the Welcome Center's Main Street Gallery in downtown French Camp featuring the artwork of space artist-lecturer and director of Rainwater Observatory, Edwin Faughn and amazing astrophotographers from around the country!

REGISTRATION & LODGING DETAILS

SCHEDULE & LECTURE ABSTRACTS

FREE MONTHLY PUBLIC PROGRAM!

"WONDERS OF THE WINTER STARS!"

Rainwater Observatory in French Camp Mississippi will be offering a free 4-County Electric Foundation monthly public program series presentation called "WONDERS OF THE WINTER STARS!" This presentation will be given on Friday, February 13, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. by teacher and astronomer, David Teske.

The program will start indoors with a program about stars, constellations and planets visible in the winter night sky.  Highlights will include the constellations and mythology of Orion the Hunter, Taurus the Bull, the Gemini Twins, Pegasus the Flying Horse plus a discussion of the giant planet Jupiter.  Weather permitting (clear skies), we will use the telescopes on the hill at Rainwater Observatory.  If the weather looks clear, please come dressed for the weather.  

David Teske is a long-time amateur astronomer who specializes in lunar and solar astronomy, as well as public outreach. He has worked as the assistant planetarium at the Alworth Planetarium in Duluth, Minnesota, the assistant director at the Davis Planetarium in Jackson, Mississippi, and has presented numerous astronomy programs at the Rainwater Observatory, nature centers, and schools. He is recently retired as a science teacher who has been the recipient of numerous awards for teaching including STAR teacher twice, teacher of the year from Parents for Public Schools, and recognition from NASA and the Air Force Association for teaching. NASA awarded Teske for Mission Home, for incorporating science applications to Earthly applications. The Air Force Association awarded Teske the Christa McAuliffe Teacher of the Year for his teaching of air and space sciences in middle school. Currently, Teske is the Acting Coordinator of the Lunar Topographic Studies Program of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.

Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium is located one mile east of the Natchez Trace Parkway off MS Highway 413 near the village of French Camp in Mississippi. Come early and enjoy dinner at the Council House, another support ministry of French Camp Academy.

For more information, contact Edwin Faughn at Rainwater Observatory: 662-547-7283 or info@rainwaterobservatory.org.

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