Did you know that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy? I know that Valentine’s Day is on Saturday, but the Fernbank Observatory is open to the public every Thursday and Friday from 9 – 10:30 PM. They are also having a special romantic program on Saturday (but at 11 AM!) in the planetarium. This might be your only option since it’s supposed to rain most of the weekend.
There are a number of other observatories and giant telescopes in Atlanta to try out. I don’t think Emory’s is ever open to the public, but Georgia Tech‘s department of astronomy hosts public night once a month (the next one is March 5). The Bradley Observatory at Agnes Scott has planned a special vernal equinox concert and open house on March 20.
If you need to get away from the city’s light pollution, Georgia State University’s Hard Labor Creek Observatory in Rutledge also has a monthly open house. The next one is March 14 but if you’re going to drive an hour out of the city I think you should wait until April 4, which coincides with the 100 Hours of Astronomy (why can’t astronomy celebrate itself in increments like days or months like everyone else?).
The Atlanta Astronomy Club keeps these dates and other events related to the stars, including the exciting Peach State Star Gaze in the fall. If all of this isn’t enough, I recommend the Deerlick Astronomy Village.
(photo from GT Astronomy Club)
Dr. Sowell looks like he’s transparent in that photo. I had no idea.