French Camp Planetarium
After spending most of the day at the Pink Palace Museum in Memphis, we will drive approximately 160 miles to the Rainwater Observatory in French Camp, Mississippi. The facility is located on State Highway 413 just off of the Natchez Trace Parkway in central Mississippi. We will arrive early in the evening. We will participate in an evening "Star Party" and a morning session which will take place both indoors and outdoors. For more information about our activities at Rainwater, click "Star Party".
French Camp Observatory
The Rainwater Observatory is an educational ministry of French Camp Academy. While the facility has some research-grade equipment, the mission of the facility is primarily educational. Rainwater Observatory is open to the public by appointment. They hold observing and educational sessions for amateur astronomers in the area, scouts, church and civic groups, school groups and teachers. Our contact person for this trip is the director of the facility, James Hill.
On site at the observatory are 16 telescopes, all housed in small buildings or mounted on outdoor piers. There are also a number of outdoor celestial exhibits demonstrating such things as the Earth's motion, axial tilt, and the prediction of eclipses. The visitor's center holds a small planetarium, library, hands-on demonstration tools and a variety of instruments used by more serious observers.
On site at the observatory are 16 telescopes, all housed in small buildings or mounted on outdoor piers. There are also a number of outdoor celestial exhibits demonstrating such things as the Earth's motion, axial tilt, and the prediction of eclipses. The visitor's center holds a small planetarium, library, hands-on demonstration tools and a variety of instruments used by more serious observers.