McDonald Observatory - Fort Davis, Texas - Expert Star-Gazing in West Texas



As a research unit of the University of Texas at Austin, McDonald Observatory is located atop Mt. Locke in the Davis Mountains of West Texas at a height of 6,791 feet above sea level. This area offers some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States, and the facility has been rated among the world's leading centers for astronomical research and teaching, as well as public education and outreach.

The centerpiece of McDonald Observatory is the 362" Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET), with its 9.2-meter mirror, which was dedicated in 1997. It is one of the largest optical telescopes ever built and has been optimized for decoding the light of stars and galaxies - a process called "spectroscopy.'' The HET has been used to search for planets around other stars, to study distant galaxies, and to observe exploding stars and black holes.

Other telescopes housed in the domes of the observatory include the Harlan J. Smith Telescope, with its 2.7-meter mirror, and the Otto Struve Telescope, with a 2.1-meter mirror. They were constructed in 1968 and 1939, respectively. Also on this site, a 0.8-meter telescope and laser system are employed to measure the distance between Earth and the Moon and track the drift of continents.

The McDonald Observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center welcomes some 100,000 visitors a year for participation in public observing activities. These include star parties, public tours, K~12 teacher and student activities, and more.

The observatory's "Daytime Pass'' costs $8 and features a number of activities, starting at 11am and 2pm daily. Visitors are invited to explore the "Decoding Starlight'' Exhibit Hall at the Visitors Center. A variety of astronomical presentations are offered in the multimedia theater. The viewing program includes observation of sunspots, solar flares, and prominences as they happen live. On cloudy days, videos taken with the telescopes are shown.

The Guided Tour, which is included with the Pass, offers an up-close look at the facility's telescopes and the workings of a professional scientific research station. It lasts 90 minutes is led by knowledgeable guides. Discounted passes are available for seniors (65+), military personnel, and University of Texas System faculty, staff, and students.

Other tours available are the Self Guided Tours of the HET, available for free from 10am to 5pm, and the "Star Party Pass,'' which costs $10 and is offered on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after hours. The latter includes viewing of constellations, the moon, planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects through the telescopes at the Visitors Center Public Observatory. There is no limit on the number of people attending the Star Party, and there are no reservations.

McDonald Observatory is located at latitude 30 degrees, 40 minutes north and longitude 104 degrees, 01 minute west. The address is 3640 Dark Sky Drive, McDonald Observatory, Texas 79734. Those driving from El Paso should take Interstate 10 East to State Highway 118 South at Kent, where the 39-mile scenic drive to the observatory begins. The Visitors Center is open from 10am to 5:30pm daily (Central Time, not Mountain Time), except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Although the observatory has neither lodgings nor dining facilities, picnicking and camping are permitted on Highway 118. Davis Mountains State Park also offers overnight accommodations, dining and camp sites just 13 miles to the south. Gas, food, and lodgings can also be found in Fort Davis, just 17 miles away.

Visitors are advised to dress warmly, as temperatures at an elevation 6,300-6,800 feet above sea level vary considerably and tend to be much cooler than other parts of Texas. In summer, a light jacket and long pants are recommended. The rest of the year, layered clothing, with a warm coat, thermals, gloves, and a hat, is advised.

1
Report this comment as inappropriate
Apr 3, 2018 @ 7:19 pm
Looking for dates for the McDonald Observatory for star gazing. The day before for the smaller telescopes.

Thank you

Review, comment, or add new information about this topic:

Discuss Fort Davis, Texas (TX) on our hugely popular Texas forum.


City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site.  Use at your own risk.
Some parts © 2024 Advameg, Inc.