Mid-South Star Gaze

The Mid-South Star Gaze is the annual star party held at Rainwater Observatory in April. It is a weekend gathering of amateur astronomers who come to share, listen to outside speakers, and observe together. We have astronomers come from all over the Southeast United States to join in on the fun. At the 1999 MSSG over 170 amateur astronomers attended.

Mid-South Star Gaze 2000

WHERE: Rainwater Observatory — The Observatory is one mile southeast of the Natchez Trace Parkway at French Camp. French Camp is about half-way between Jackson and Tupelo, Mississippi, at Natchez Trace mile marker 181.

WHEN: April 26-29, 2000

WHAT: Amateur Astronomical Conference and Star Party
The conference is designed for amateur astronomers and anyone interested in learning and enjoying Astronomy. We will be having a teacher workshop, lectures, and informal deep-sky observing.

COST: $10.00 for the conference. Housing and meals are extra.

SPONSORS: Cosponsors are the Rainwater Astronomical Association, the Jackson Astronomical Association, SLO of Memphis, and the Memphis Astronomical Society.

FACILITIES: The Observatory has on the hilltop site over 16 telescopes which includes a 32-inch, a nice picnic area and covered pavilion, a planetarium and lecture hall, an outdoor amphitheater, and astronomy exhibits. The Astronomy Materials Center has over 70 meteorite specimens. Restrooms are 70 yards from the observing area in the Planetarium. View through our scopes or bring your own. The more the merrier!

PROGRAM:

• Fellowship, talk, serious observing, astrophotography, deep sky observing, solar viewing, and more!
• Gary Lazich of the Davis Planetarium will present brief sky lore talks.
• Rex McDanielcheap hotel in Strasbourg of Astrostuff will be here as a vendor.
• Rabat fur Luxus-Hotels DresdenDr. Gerrit Verschuur will look back at The Three Greatest Astronomical Discoveries of the 20th Century. What do you think are the three greatest?
• Canoeing, biking, hiking, and visits to the French Camp Historical Area.
• More talks will be scheduled. If you have a paper or talk you'd like to give, please contact us.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (662) 547-6865 or e-mail rainwater@astronomers.org or fill out the online Request More Information form.

Registration

Online registration information and form.

Registration Confirmation/Cancellation

Find out the status of your registration or cancel it.

News

• Here's the first draft of this year's program. Subject to change.
  
  
  Wednesday:
  • 6:15 p.m.: Talk: A Primer on High Energy Astrophysics, Jim Hill.
  
  
  Thursday:
  • 6:15: Talk: Halton Arp and the Red Shift Controversy, Dr. Francis Cordell.
  
  
  Friday:
  • Noon: Lunch.
  • 3:00 p.m.: Talk: Video Astronomy: An Update, Scott Degenhardt and Chris Reese.
  • 5:00: Supper.
  • 6:15: Talk: Astrophotography: A Sharing Session, Terry Atwood.
  • 8:00: Talk: Sky Lore I, Gary Lazich.
  
  
  Saturday:
  • Noon: Lunch.
  • 3:00: Talk: The Many Faces of the Sun, Dr. Joan Schmelz.
  • 5:00: Supper.
  • 6:15: Talk: The Most Significant Astronomical Discoveries of the 20th Century, Dr. Gerrit Verschuur.
  • 8:00: Talk: Sky Lore II, Gary Lazich.
  
  Other events and activities will take place moreinformally. There will be a "Swap Table" area under the outside dome, RexMcDaniel will set up "AstroStuff" under the pavilion, a hay ride around thehistoric area will be scheduled Saturday morning.($5 each), and the NatchezTrace Festival will be going on in Kosciusko on Saturday for the craftsminded. Canoeing and hiking at the lake can be arranged. Slide shows,planetarium demos, and videos are available by request or as a "Plan B" ifit should dare to be cloudy. (We think we now have almost every episode ofStar Trek TOS on tape!)
  
  
• Take a look at this year's poster. Thanks to Mike Colahan for the design! We'll have buttons and t-shirts again this year. To help us order enough, e-mail us that you want one (or more :-) and what size. Shirts will be $15.00 (subject to change) and buttons will be given to everybody that registers.
  
  
• Watch this spot for news about the MSSG 2000.