Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium

Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium sits near French Camp, Mississippi, where French Camp Academy runs the largest observatory in the state as part of its educational mission.

About Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium

Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium is an educational astronomical observatory and planetarium operated as a ministry of French Camp Academy. With more than 16 telescopes on site, it is the largest observatory complex in Mississippi, standing in what has been mapped as the last remaining dark-sky spot in the state on the U.S. Dark Skies photograph.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's instruments include a 32-inch Dobsonian telescope and a 14-inch Celestron catadioptric telescope, among its 16-plus scopes of various reflector, refractor, and catadioptric designs. It is also awaiting delivery of the Sollee Telescope, a 25-inch research-grade instrument that will be housed in a dedicated two-story observatory building for serious astronomical study. A planetarium building with a 30-foot dome and a Spitz projector rounds out the complex, alongside a walking trail that models the relative distances between the Sun and its planets.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located near French Camp in north-central Mississippi, United States, set on a hilltop site chosen for its dark skies.

Visiting Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium

Rainwater Observatory is the annual host site for the Midsouth Star Gaze, a gathering of amateur astronomers held on the weekend closest to the New Moon in late March or early April. On-site facilities include dormitory space, meeting rooms, and exhibition space for visitors, and a video astronomy van travels within roughly 100 miles of French Camp for outreach visits. Check the observatory's own channels for current opening times before you go.

See your named star from here

With 16-plus telescopes on hand, Rainwater Observatory's astronomers have the instruments to find almost anything in the night sky, including the exact coordinates of a star named through Star Register. Name a star as a gift, or browse the star catalogue to see stars already claimed.