Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium is an astronomical observatory and planetarium located 92 miles (148 km) northeast of Jackson, Mississippi. Overseen by the educational French Camp Academy, the observatory provides astronomy-related programming designed for a variety of different groups and organizations, including the annual Midsouth Stargaze event which attracts amateur and professional astronomers from around the country – even camping is available. Please note that admission is by reservation only, and that there is a $300 minimum program fee for groups of people under 25 in number.
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.