Fernbank Forest, The Sky Tonight and Planetarium Show

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Fernbank Forest, The Sky Tonight and Planetarium Show

The Basics:

Event Type:

Urban Hike

Event Location:

Fernbank Science Center

Urban Hike: Fernbank Forest, The Sky Tonight and Planetarium Show

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Apr 14 2012 10:30 am >> Sat, Apr 14 2012 1:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Thu, Apr 5 2012 8:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Apr 13 2012 10:00 pm

Event Duration:

3 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D1: Easy

Distance:

2 Miles

Pace:

Leisurely

Trip Leader(s):

Sarah H

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You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information.

Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

6 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Fernbank Forest is a little known jewel in the heart of the city located behind the Fernbank Science Museum and Planetarium. We will begin with a program on The Sky Tonight. Presented live by a Fernbank astronomer, this is a guided tour through the constellations, planets, and events of the current evening sky.

Next we will set off on a ~2 mile hike on paved paths, perfect for beginners or those looking for a short stroll. There are some elevation changes, but we will take our time and will have plenty of rest chances at various ponds and decks. The spring colors should be beautiful this time of year. A $1 donation is suggested but not required for use of the forest (bring exact change - it's just a box).

After the hike, those wishing to stick around for the planetarium show are welcome to, but this is optional. At 1:30 is the children's show (ok for adults too!) and at 3 for the adult show. There is a $4 admission to the planetarium show, so please remember to bring this with you (AOC will not collect this money, you will pay for yourself at the event).

There are picnic tables in a nice patio area outside if you want to eat lunch after the hike. There is not any food available for purchase at the museum, so you need to bring it with you.

From the Fernbank website:

Fernbank Forest is a 65-acre tract of relatively undisturbed mature mixed hardwood forest. It is a small remnant of the type of forest vegetation that originally covered the Piedmont region of Georgia, including the Atlanta metropolitan area. Practically all of Atlanta's original vegetation has been destroyed, first by farming and later by urban and suburban development. Visitors to Fernbank Forest can observe firsthand the beauty of forest land as early explorers and southern Native Americans would have done hundreds of years ago. Trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns are labeled so these plants can readily be identified. Animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, birds, turtles and snakes live undisturbed in their natural environment. A small pond teems with aquatic life.

Starland Adventures (children's planetarium show)
Come along as we tour the starry sky of summer. Learn how to find constellations and planets in the evening sky. Along the way, we'll hear stories about the stars told long ago. Come join us for adventures in starland with heroes, dragons, and more!

Mars Quest: Exploring the Red Planet (adult planetarium show)
We have had a cultural and scientific fascination with Mars for centuries. In this three-act presentation, we chronicle the history of Mars, observe the planet in the night sky and with robotic explorers, and guess at the future - perhaps humans living on Mars. Narrated by Patrick Stewart.

For more information on the Fernbank Science Center, visit their website:
http://www.fernbank.edu/

NOTE:
This is NOT the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, that is a different place nearby.

Required Items to Bring:
Water
good walking shoes

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
Snack/Lunch
Cash for planetarium show and voluntary donation

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

From Downtown Atlanta

Go east on North Avenue to Piedmont. Make a left. Go one block north and make a right on Ponce De Leon Avenue. Stay on Ponce approximately 4 1/2 miles. At the traffic light just approaching a stone arch overhead railroad bridge take a left onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School).

From Kennesaw, Marietta, Smyrna

Take I-75 south to I-285 east (follow signs off 75 towards Greenville). Follow I-285 to exit 39A Decatur/Highway 78. Highway 78 will turn into Lawrenceville Highway and then change to Scott Boulevard. Scott merges with Ponce de Leon Avenue at a traffic light just before an overhead bridge. Pass under the bridge and turn right onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School). OrTake I-75 south to exit 249D (North Avenue). Make a left onto North Avenue. Go east on North Avenue to Piedmont. Make a left. Go one block north and make a right on Ponce De Leon Avenue. Stay on Ponce approximately 2 1/2 miles. At the traffic light just before an overhead bridge, take a left onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School).

From North Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell

Take I-285 East to exit 39A Decatur/Highway 78. Highway 78 will turn into Lawrenceville Highway and then change name to Scott Boulevard. Scott merges with Ponce de Leon Avenue at a traffic light just before an overhead bridge. Pass under the bridge and turn right onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School).

From Norcross, Athens, Lawrenceville, Gainesville, Duluth

Take I-85 south to I-285 east/south. Follow I-285 to exit 39A Decatur/Highway 78. Highway 78 will turn into Lawrenceville Highway and then change name to Scott Boulevard. Scott merges with Ponce de Leon Avenue at a traffic light just before an overhead bridge. Pass under the bridge and turn right onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School).

From South Atlanta, Airport

Go north on I-75 and/or I-85 to I-20 East to Moreland Avenue (exit 60B). Take Moreland north to Ponce De Leon Avenue. Turn right onto Ponce de Leon. Stay on Ponce approximately 2 1/2 miles. At the traffic light just before an overhead bridge, take a left onto Artwood Road. At the first street make a right on Heaton Park Drive. Fernbank Science Center will be on the left (across from Fernbank Elementary School).

Notes:

The AOC will NOT be collecting money for the optional paid portions of this event. Bring CASH with you ($4 planetarium show and/or $1 voluntary donation).

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.