“Experience the Universe at Charlie Elliott”

Directions to Charlie Elliott

Charlie Elliott Astronomy Meeting and Observing

August 7, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.

Campbell Aquatics Building

Join us on August 7, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at the Campbell Aquatics Building at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Management Area for our in-person August meeting, followed by observing on Jon Wood Astronomy Field, weather permitting!

Directions: The Campbell Aquatics Building on Murder Creek Church Rd, inside the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, just south of Mansfield, Georgia. To reach the meeting location, take Hwy 11, then turn onto Marben Farm Rd. (the entrance to the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center), then turn right onto Murder Creek Church Rd. and follow it until you reach the Aquatics Building on the left. For those using Google Maps or similar apps, please use the address of the CEWC Visitor Center and reference the map below for the actual location nearby:  543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, GA 30055.  For more information, contact the Charlie Elliott Visitors’ Center at  770-784-3059 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Program: We’ll start off with welcoming remarks by Chapter Director Mike Shaw, followed by Observing Director Dave Whalen’s always factual (and entertaining) “All of the Above” sky tour of the current month’s celestial objects. Then the featured presentation, this month by Scott Harris, the planetary geologist for the Fernbank Science Center and the Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium located in Decatur, Georgia. His presentation,  “How do we tell time on the Moon? (And what do Copernicus Crater and Georgia have in common?).

Scott describes his upcoming program this way: Have you ever looked up at the Moon and wondered when those giant impact basins were formed or how long ago basaltic flows erupted to form the dark maria? How do we know that a Utahraptor might have looked up to see the lunar Tycho Crater formed? Planetary geologists use a variety of relative and absolute dating techniques to sort out the 4.54-billion-year history of our companion planet. We will explore these techniques, how you can even use some of them with your telescope, and answer the question of what the 800 million-year-old Copernicus Crater has in common with our home state.

About Our Speaker: A longtime friend to Charlie Elliott Astronomy, R. Scott Harris is a Georgia native, educated at Arizona State University, the University of Georgia, and Brown University. A circumnavigator, field geologist, petrologist, and educator, he has spent most of his 30-year career studying the record of asteroid and comet impacts on Earth. Scott has authored or co-authored of more than 15 peer-reviewed papers and field guides and over a 100 conference abstracts. He also studies extraterrestrial volcanism and the ancient history of our solar system preserved in meteorites.

Through large-scale, explosive outreach demonstrations, unique field trips, public lectures and television appearances, and especially developing and delivering original content for the planetarium, Scott draws on his active research program to engage students, teachers, and the community in an authentic science experience. He currently is the 2020 Outstanding Earth Science Teacher for Georgia, awarded by the National Association of Geoscience and is host of the FSC At-Home Planetarium Show that airs on Facebook Live each Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at https://www.facebook.com/fernbankcenter that reaches viewers now on at least six continents.

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Last Month: We had another sizable turnout at our July 10 meeting, again with every chair being taken. David Whalen entertained us with a lively talk on what’s up in the sky for the current month before guest speaker, Slava Safykov, a professor from the Georgia State University Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, filled us in on the various intricacies of the many ways the Sun affects so much around and on the Earth and it’s impact on our everyday lives. Unfortunately, the weather was less than cooperative following the meeting.  A handful of optimistic observers and imagers were teased with sucker holes and stayed to chat about imaging and observing.

“All of the Above”

Observing Supervisor David Whalen will be on hand to enlighten and inform us on what you can see and image in the night sky this month.  David is an exciting and engaging speaker and always delivers an informative and light-hearted presentation that everyone will enjoy!

Observing on Jon Wood Astronomy Field

After the meeting, weather permitting, we will make our way down to Jon Wood Astronomy Field for observing.  Sunset is at 8:49 p.m. and “dark dark” is at 10:51 p.m.

A few items to note…

*Plan to treat this outing like you would a camping trip and be prepared.  Dress appropriately for the weather and the environment, bring snacks and drinks if needed, and plan to take your garbage with you.  There are restrooms at the Campbell Aquatics Building that will be available during the meeting and there is a regularly serviced Porta-Potty on Jon Wood Astronomy Field available for use during the observing session.

*The main gate on Elliott Trail closes to new entry at 7 p.m. and will automatically open at any time for exiting traffic.  If you plan to observe on Jon Wood Astronomy Field, please arrive before 7 p.m. or make arrangements with a club member for access.

*Masks are optional for those that are vaccinated.  If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask and kindly maintain a safe distance from others in accordance with the latest CDC guidelines.

Covid Requirements

IMPORTANT! Masks are optional for those that are vaccinated.  If you are not vaccinated, please wear a mask and kindly observe the latest CDC guidelines regarding social distancing.

More About the Charlie Elliott Astronomy Club

Check out the Charlie Elliott Astronomy Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ceastronomy . There you’ll find a welcoming group of people sharing ideas and tips as well as organizing ad-hoc observing and imaging sessions on the Jon Wood Astronomy Field.

For those not familiar with the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, go to https://georgiawildlife.com/charlie-elliott-wildlife-center

The CEWC phone is 770-784-3059, Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

Workshops

If you have an idea for a 15 to 20-minute pre-meeting presentation about something you’ve learned or a project you’re working on, contact Steve Siedentop or Ken Poshedly.

Downloads from the Last Meeting

Our Monthly Meetings and Public Observing Nights

View our Full Calendar of all meetings & outreach events

It’s easy to become a member of Charlie Elliott Astronomy!

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All Charlie Elliott Astronomy events are free and open to the public and you don’t have to be a member to attend our meetings or join us on Jon Wood Astronomy Field.  However, we would encourage you to consider a yearly paid membership for less than the cost of a couple of pizzas.  Your membership dues allow us to continue our science outreach programs in area schools and youth organizations, merit badge programs with area Scout Troops, and allow us to maintain the facilities on Jon Wood Astronomy Field.  To become a member, you can fill out our Membership Form or contact an officer.  March is membership renewal month. If you are renewing your membership, no form is necessary.

The Charlie Elliott Chapter is a member of the Night Sky Network
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Charlie Elliott Astronomy, serving the Atlanta area and East Middle Georgia, is a chapter of the Atlanta Astronomy Club, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to promoting the public knowledge of and interest in astronomy.

Donations support our outreach programs, equipment expense, and educational materials.

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