Unlike nuclear physics or space flight, astronomy is a scientific discipline to which those without advanced degrees in the subject can and do make significant contributions. An amateur is defined as "a person who engages in a study for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons." This year, we will hear from and about a number of "amateur" astronomers, and the contributions that they have made, and are making to our understanding of the universe.

Fall 2007

William A. Calder Fall Equinox Concert and Open House
September 21 , 2007 8 PM
"East of the Sun, West of the Moon: Cosmic Images in American Jazz"
John Winzenburg (Agnes Scott College)

October 12, 2007 8 PM
"Planetary Imaging for the Amateur Astronomer"
Larry Owens (Director, Charlie Elliot Chapter of the AAC)

November 9, 2007 8 PM
"Sixty Years of Amateur Astronomy: 1947-2007"
Chris De Pree (Agnes Scott College)

December 14, 2007 8 PM
"The Stonehenge Observatory"
Dan Reichert (UNC Chapel Hill)

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Spring 2008

February 8, 2008 8 PM
"Comets and the Meteor Shower Connection"
Amy Lovell (Agnes Scott College)

W. A. Calder Spring Equinox Concert
Open House
March 14, 2008
"Music of Signs"
Juan Chattah (Agnes Scott College)

April 11, 2008
"NASA's Dawn Mission: Exploring the Asteroid Frontier"
Lucy A. McFadden (University of Maryland)

May 9, 2008 8 PM
"From Amateur to Pro: How Seven Amateur Astronomers Influenced Astronomy"
Kevin Marvel (American Astronomical Society)

Directions

For directions to Agnes Scott College, see the Agnes Scott web site.Please keep in mind that E. Dougherty St. is a one-way street! From I-20: Take Candler road exit north past Memorial Dr., past Kirk road (light) look for E. Dougherty St. on your left (at the Agnes Scott College sign). Turn left, and park your car as directed above. From I-285 (east side of city): Take the Ponce de Leon exit. Go west on Ponce de Leon toward Decatur. Stay on Ponce until Church Street. Turn left on Church Street. The second light will be Trinity. Take a left on Trinity, cross the railroad tracks (College Ave.), and you will be on Candler Road southbound. As you just pass the main part of campus, look for E. Dougherty St. on your right. Turn right and park as directed above.

From downtown: Take Ponce de Leon east until it hits Church Street. Turn right on Church Street. The second light will be Trinity. Take a left on Trinity, cross the railroad tracks (College Ave.), and you will be on Candler Rd. southbound. As you just pass the main part of campus, look for E. Dougherty St. on your right. Turn right and park as directed above.

If these don't help, send an email or call (404) 471-5800.

Parking

Handicapped-accessible parking is available adjacent to the observatory. Other visitors are requested to use campus parking lots accessible via E. Dougherty St. and South McDonough St. There is on-street parking along E. Dougherty, or in the parking lot to your right past the black construction fence. Additional parking is available off of S. McDonough St.: follow Dougherty to the four-way stop, either turn left and take your first left into the parking lot, or turn right and park in the large parking deck on the left. The sidewalk to Bradley Observatory is found between the Woodruff Physical Activities Building and Gellerstedt Field, to the left (south) side of E. Dougherty.