Event

A night for your personal observing program under the darkest skies in Northern Georgia.

In order to protect the dark skies & out of respect for your fellow observers, NO WHITE LIGHTS are permitted on the observing field after sunset - that includes car interior lights & cell phones. Use red lights only. You can cover flashlights, etc with red film or brake light tape.
We expect that you will arrive before sunset to set up & stay until sunrise. 
To cover the maintenance costs of the field & facilities, we ask that you pay a nightly field fee into the Deerlick Astronomy Village (DAV) mailbox on the warm-up shed porch.
Individuals/tent campers: $5 per person or $10 per family
RV's : $15 if you use the 30 amp service; tent camping rates if you do not
There are no fees if you setup on the AAC site,which is the 1 1/2 acre area in the northwest corner of the field, around the yellow AAC building. There are no water or bathrooms on this property. Club members can contact the Treasurer to get the access code to the building.

Date: Saturday, November 2 - Sunday, November 3, 2024

Time: 5 p.m. - 11 a.m. Eastern

Location: Deerlick Astronomy Village
Aaron Grier Rd SE
Crawfordville, GA 30631

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Information for Visitors

Location Details

Deerlick Astronomy Village

The Deerlick Astronomy Village, DAV, is a unique planned community catering to the specific needs of amateur and professional astronomers. DAV is located in the very darkest skies in Sharon Georgia, far away from big city lights but at the same time convenient to many major metropolitan areas in the South Eastern USA. DAV Coordinates: 33.561420, -82.763140 +N33 33' 41.11" -W82 45' 47.30" Elevation: 550 - 600ft

DAV is a dedicated dark sky site meant specifically for members to do their serious observing in a location that is protected from light instrusion.  ALL white lights are banned from the property after sunset. NO, you cannot sneak onto the field with your headlights on, opening your car doors or using your cell phone as a flashlight "for just a few minutes" while you drive onto the field, set up your equipoment or walk to the bathroom without DESTROYING the night sky for those who made the effort to set up before the sun sets.

IF YOU CANNOT ARRIVE BEFORE DARK, THIS IS NOT THE EVENT FOR YOU.

POSTPONE COMING TO THE SITE UNTIL YOU ARE CAN.

DAV Membership allows the more serious amateur astronomers to enjoy a location built specifically for the hobby. We are the ideal place for you to bring your 20″ Dob and observe or your imaging rig to take some awesome pics.

We ARE NOT the place to casually camp, as we have some specific rules that are enforced.

 If you are not sure DAV is a good fit, please check out the events page and come out on a public event.

 Accessing the property requires a gate code. Active members can receive their code from their membership page. If you do not have a gate code, you will be unable to access the property.

 

 

Aaron Grier Rd SE
Crawfordville, GA 30631
(click to get directions)

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http://www.deerlickgroup.com

Notes:
The Deerlick Astronomy Village is located approximated 1 hour and 45 minutes from downtown Atlanta. 1) From the I-285 and I-20 interchange (East side perimeter), take I-20 East for 86 miles to Exit 154 (Hwy 278). 2) Turn left at bottom of ramp and go 1.6 miles on 278 to 269 (aka Hwy 47 - mile marker 0). 3) Turn right (North) onto 269 and go 3.5 miles to 4 way stop, downtown Sharon (beware of RR tracks around the 2 mile mark, there is no signal). 4) Turn right (East) onto Main Street (aka Raytown Road, aka CR 79) and go 2.5 miles to 4 way stop. 5) Turn right (South) onto Double Wells Road and go 0.3 miles to Aaron Grier Road (just a gravel road) 6) Turn right (West) onto Aaron Grier Road and go approximately 0.5 miles to the DAV entrance, Star Gate 1 (SG1). 6a) We are a gated community, therefore you will need a pin number to enter, contact Jerry Tarter at 678.523.1670. 7) At the wooden sign "Members Field", take a right onto Griers Field, the DAV office is at the end of the road.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat 12/14/2024
5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Eastern
AAC Holiday Potluck 2024 Atlanta Freethought Society
4775 N. Church Lane
Smyrna, GA
Sat 12/28/2024
- Sun 12/29/2024
5 p.m. - 11 a.m. Eastern
Dark Sky Observing Deerlick Astronomy Village
Aaron Grier Rd SE
Crawfordville, GA
Sat 2/1/2025
- Sun 2/2/2025
5 p.m. - 11 a.m. Eastern
Dark Sky Observing Deerlick Astronomy Village
Aaron Grier Rd SE
Crawfordville, GA
Wed 6/25/2025
- Sat 6/28/2025
ASTROCON 2025