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!

“MARS: The Red Planet!” 

Rainwater Observatory in French Camp, Mississippi will be offering a free monthly public program for this season called “MARS: The Red Planet!” This generously sponsored program is part of the 4-County Electric Foundation “Exploring the Heavens” series!  It will be presented on Friday, March 13, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. by Edwin Faughn, director of Rainwater Observatory.

“MARS: The Red Planet!” explores one of the most mystifying and fascinating planets in the solar system. It has captivated people for centuries and is filled with mythology, science fiction, history, and a wealth of scientific discoveries. This exciting, updated program is visually intensive and will take us on a journey through this strange and alluring world and reveal some of the latest and most breathtaking imagery and astounding discoveries ever recorded in human history!

Edwin has presented hundreds of programs to diverse audiences including universities, museums, schools, aviation firms, conferences, churches, civic groups, senior and youth groups, scouts and various other organizations such as Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Federal Express World Headquarters, Pink Palace Family Of Museums (75th Anniversary Celebration), Sharpe Planetarium, Arkansas State University (Distinguished Alumni Speaker), Mississippi State University, University Of Mississippi (conference keynote speaker), Arkansas State University (keynote speaker for NASA's STEAM Initiative (STEM with Art + Design) and Crew Training International (CTI is one of the leading providers of Cockpit/Crew Resource Management training for the world's military aviators). His original work has also been featured in and on the covers of international space science magazines, books, exhibitions and planetarium productions such as Scientific American, Federal Express World Headquarters, the world premiere of Titanic: The Exhibition, KEPLER website of NASA's Ames Research Center, Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and can be seen at www.edwinfaughn.com .

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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