MIDSOUTH STAR GAZE & ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE!

Rainwater Observatory is gearing up for its annual Mid-South Stargaze and Astronomy Conference coming up in April 23-26, 2025! 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, NASA recognized retired teacher-lecturer-astrophotographer and Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (A.L.P.O.) Lunar Recorder, Dave Teske and space artist-lecturer and director of Rainwater Observatory, Edwin Faughn!

We will also have a space art-astrophotography exhibit on display at the Welcome Center's Main Street Gallery in downtown French Camp!

REGISTRATION AND LODGING DETAILS!

SCHEDULE AND LECTURE ABSTRACTS

FREE MONTHLY PUBLIC PROGRAM!

“EXOPLANETS: Worlds Beyond Our Own!”

Rainwater Observatory in French Camp Mississippi will be offering a free program for this season called “EXOPLANETS: Worlds Beyond Our Own!”. This generously sponsored program is part of the 4-County Electric Foundation “Exploring the Heavens” series!  It will be presented on Friday, May 9, 2025, starting at 7:00 p.m. by Edwin Faughn, director of Rainwater Observatory. 

This updated, fascinating, educational, and visually intensive presentation explores the history, science fiction and science facts of worlds beyond our Earth. To date there are now over 5500 confirmed extrasolar planets that have been discovered orbiting other stars in our Milkyway Galaxy! That number will eventually be in the trillions in years to come! These discoveries are exciting, tantalizing and reveal that the universe is far greater and more spectacular than anything we can even begin to comprehend! Come join us as we explore these beautiful and exotic worlds beyond our own!

Edwin Faughn is also an artist and lecturer specializing in space sciences and has presented hundreds of presentations to diverse groups including but not limited to universities, museums, science centers, schools, churches of most major denominations and other faith based and civic organizations. His original artwork has been featured in and on the covers of numerous international space science magazines, exhibitions and planetarium productions. A few of his credits include Scientific American, IAAA World Tour Space Art Exhibition, “The Artist's Universe", Federal Express World Headquarters and the world premiere of Titanic: The Exhibition. He also served nearly 20 years as the art director for the Sharpe Planetarium of the Pink Palace Family of Museums in Memphis, Tennessee. His work has been featured on the main KEPLER website of NASA's AMES RESEARCH CENTER and can be seen at: www.edwinfaughn.com

After the presentation, weather permitting, an observing session will be held using some of Rainwater’s collection of powerful telescopes. 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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