Hiking, Astronomy & Stargazing with Telescopes at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

OVERVIEW:  On this unique AOC outing we'll enjoy about two hours of easy to moderate afternoon Hiking, then join the Trip Leader's friends from the Atlanta Astronomy Club for an exciting late afternoon and evening program that includes an indoor Astronomy Program (~4:00-5:30 PM) at the Charlie Elliott Visitor Center, followed by a Deep-Sky Observing Session with telescopes on the Wildlife Center's spacious observing field.
   Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (CEWC) is a pristine 6400-acre GA DNR nature preserve about a 45-minute drive east of Atlanta (15 miles SE of Covington, GA near I-20).  It is an excellent destination for hikers, with more than 10 miles of well marked forested trails that loop around its lovely lakes and granite outcrops—and its dark skies make it also a favorite place for stargazers.
  Each month, usually on the Saturday afternoon closest to New Moon, amateur astronomers from the "Charlie Elliott Chapter" of the Atlanta Astronomy Club (AAC) hold a 90-minute meeting and program at the Charlie Elliott Visitor Center, then (about an hour before dark) set up their telescopes in the nearby low-ambient-light observing field and aim them skyward, weather permitting.
  Those of us from the general public are invited to join them at these free sessions to learn more about astronomy and to take turns at their telescopes observing such heavenly wonders as the moons of Jupiter, the Great Orion Nebula and the 2-million-light-years-distant Andromeda Galaxy.  Tips on basic "sky-gazing" and "star-hopping" tours of the universe are also offered for those who are interested in observing constellations, planets, deep-sky objects, eclipses, etc. with their own telescope and binoculars, or with an equally miraculous stargazing instrument—the naked eye! —which happens to be the best choice of all for meteor showers and several other awesome sky phenomena
   The forecast is for nice clear fall weather in the 50s at hike time, dropping into the 40s for our after-dark observing session.  For similar hiking/astronomy Charlie Elliott events in the future we'll normally go ahead with them rain or shine.  In the event of clouds or showers we can still enjoy hiking, the wildlife museum and the indoor astronomy program, plus of course the fun of being together in such a beautiful place.  

WHEN & WHERE?  We'll all rendezvous at 1:30 just inside the entrance of the Charlie Elliott Visitor Center & Museum—see detailed directions and address below.  Drive directly to the event if you like, but if you prefer, join the Trip Leader at 12:25 PM in NE Atlanta for carpooling there and back (~45 min. each way).  This "general carpool" will gather in the WSB Radio Tower shopping center parking lot near the I-285 LaVista Road exit—see detailed directions also below.  Our carpool parties will plan to depart that lot by about 12:40 PM and should arrive at Charlie Elliott by the 1:30 rendezvous time.
  After introductions, AOC waiver signing, and a brief walk through the museum we'll begin our hike at about 1:45—then join our Astronomy Club hosts at 4:00 PM in the museum's conference room for their indoor program. Their invited speaker this month is sure to to be a "hoot!"  My friend, sky-lore expert Phil Sacco, will give an entertaining presentation entitled "The Howl-een Hunt List: 13 of the Unluckiest Heavenly Objects."
  SAT EVENING MEAL OPTIONS:  We expect to have time to drive to a nearby restaurant for a sit-down evening meal (at about 6:00 PM)  between the indoor astronomy meeting and outdoor observing session (which begins at dusk).  Those of us who are interested can caravan about 3 miles back up the road to the little town of Mansfield where there's a well-recommended barbecue restaurant, "Where There Is Smoke"  (entrees averaging about $8).  If you prefer, feel free to bring your own picnic dinner (e.g., bring in a small cooler) and enjoy it on the Charlie Elliott premises.  Other than a water fountain, no drinks or food are available at Charlie Elliott. 
   Individuals and carpool parties are free to stay as late as you like at the Saturday night telescopic (+ naked eye) observing session.  A suggested appropriate departure time for returning home might be about 10:00 PM but some of the more serious astronomers may continue observing as late as dawn Sunday morning—so feel free to stay up late with them and return home "when the rooster crows" if you prefer!

FOR MORE on the CHARLIE ELLIOTT WILDLIFE CENTER (including a nice color Trail Map if you click on "hiking") go to:
http://www.georgiawildlife.com/node/694

FOR MORE  on the CHARLIE ELLIOTT CHAPTER of the ATLANTA ASTRONOMY CLUB go to:
http://ceastronomy.org/blog/home