How to Visit McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory is a unit of the University of Texas at Austin and is one of the leading astronomy centers in the world. The Observatory is located near Fort Davis, Texas in the Davis Mountains, which offers some of the darkest night skies in the continental U.S. To visit the McDonald Observatory, use these steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Participate in the daytime activities. Although the observatory operates mostly at night, daytime activities are also available. See the "Decoding Starlight" exhibit, visit the multimedia theatre to see the Solar viewing program or take a guided tour to see the large telescopes. Self-guided tours of the largest telescope is free.
2. Attend an evening Star Party. The whole family can enjoy a Star Party, which includes viewing the moon, planets, stars and other celestial objects. On cloudy or rainy nights, indoor presentations will replace the actual viewing.
3. Enjoy a Twilight Program. These 60 to 70-minute presentations precede a Star Party and are open to all age groups. Half of the presentation is in the multimedia theatre, and half is in the outdoor amphitheatre. Programs vary.
4. Go for a Special Viewing Night. These events include dinner at the StarDate Cafe and a viewing on one of three McDonald Observatory telescopes: the 82-inch telescope, the 107-inch telescope or the 36-inch telescope. Special Viewing Nights are only on scheduled dates and may not be interesting to young children.
5. Book a private group activity. Group tours and private star parties are available for a fee and require a 3-month advance booking. Private programs are also available with a 40-day advance booking.

Tips & Warnings

• Programs and parties begin promptly, and there is limited space, so arrive early to get a spot. The observatory recommends 15 to 30 minutes early. No reservations are required or accepted.
• The dry air of west Texas and the elevation of the McDonald Observatory can make for very chilly nights. Temperatures can drop 20 degrees very quickly. Windy days may also be cool. Dress warmly and in layers to enjoy the desert night.
• Since light interferes with viewing distant celestial objects, pick a night to visit when the moon is in its darkest phase. However, nights when the moon is brightest give the best opportunity for clearly viewing the moon.