Elachee Nature Center to offer telescope workshop events

Gainesville's Elachee Nature Center will offer three opportunities this Spring to attend the Stars Under Elachee program.

 

The hands on star gazing workshop allows attendees to learn how to use telescopes and get an up close look at stars, the moon and planets.

 

Astronomer at the Elachee Nature Science Center, Robert Webb, says the program is for local residents of all ages.

 

"It is aimed for people that have never looked through a telescope or maybe are looking at buying one. It is family oriented, but a lot of people use it as a date night," said Webb

 

The first workshop will be offered on Saturday evening, March 12 with two others this spring on April 16 and May 14.

 

Webb says he trains attendees on how to use the telescopes and what to look at in the sky.

 

"The planets and the moon are visible on those nights. We scheduled the dates so that there is some moon but not so much that it washes out the stars."

Reservations are required for the workshop with admission costing $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and the event is free for Elachee members.

 

Webb also says for those interested in astronomy, the George E. Coleman Planetarium at the University of North Georgia's Dahlonega campus is offering a free show called "Cosmic Clouds" on Friday nights.

 

"We are highlighting Jupiter this spring, and we are looking at NASA's Juno mission that will explore the clouds of Jupiter this summer."

 

If the sky is clear, Webb says the UNG Observatory will be open following the show for telescope viewing.