The Bradley Observatory, photo courtesy of Agnes Scott College
The Bradley Observatory in Decatur holds an Open House each month during the academic year. The events are free and open to the public.
Each Open House will feature a presentation or concert, followed by a planetarium show. There will also be telescope viewing, whenever weather permits.
There is a schedule below for Open House dates for the whole 2023-2024 academic year!
You may also be interested in free & cheap planetarium shows at Fernbank Science Center
Fun stuff to know about the Observatory
The Bradley Observatory is a research and teaching facility, located on the Agnes Scott College campus. The large dome on top houses the 30-inch Lewis H. Beck telescope. The building also contains a 70-seat planetarium.
Outside the observatory is an interactive plaza that is very cool!
It features the Metro-Atlanta Scale Model Solar System (MASS) Project — a model that demonstrates the size of and scale of our solar system, and the planets within it.
We first encountered this interesting stone plaza on a Discovery Walk hosted by the Atlanta Science Festival. If you’re out walking in the area, this is a fun place to visit.
The Bradley Observatory Plaza is a fun representation of the solar system, with interpretive signage to help you make sense of it. Photo: H. Brucker
This is what it all means:
• The 30-foot diameter plaza at the Bradley Observatory is an artistic representation of the solar system.
• The Sun is the center point of the Plaza and the circles along the outer edge represent the relative size of each planet.
• The black arrow (hard to see here) points due north, toward the star Polaris. If you stand at the center of the Plaza at noon, your shadow will align with this arrow.
• In addition, there are plaques at 8 other locations in metro Atlanta, representing each of the planets and its corresponding distance from the Sun. For example, Uranus is at Hartsfield Airport and Venus is at Decatur High School.
Observatory Open House Dates for 2024
You can also check the Open House schedule online, or visit the Bradley Observatory’s Facebook event page.
Remember, the program is followed by a planetarium show and telescope viewing.
Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 at 7 p.m.
“GA State’s CHARA Array + What’s Wrong With My Zodiac Sign?”
more info
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Program to be announced
more info
Friday, March 22, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Spring Equinox Concert
more info
Friday, April 12, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Talk by Cass Marks: “Worlds You Can Visit in Our Solar System”
more info
Bradley Observatory at Agnes Scott College. Photo: H. Brucker
