![]() Held Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the parties begin in the outdoor amphitheater with a brief orientation chat by staff. Named the Giant Magellan Telescope, it is scheduled to be operational in 2029. The Observatory is currently collaborating with several US universities in the development of a 25-meter telescope with seven mirrors in Chile. There are numerous other smaller telescopes on the grounds. It is also used for ground-breaking research into dark energy. It studies the light from stars and galaxies to help astronomers gain an understanding of their properties. It was dedicated in 1997 and upgraded in 2017. The Hobby-Eberley Telescope has a 11-meter mirror, and it is one of the largest optical telescopes in the world. The Harland J Smith telescope, which has a 2.7-meter mirror, was completed in 1968 and is also still in use. Its instruments have since been upgraded, and it is still in use today. With a 2.1-meter mirror, it was the second largest telescope in the world at its dedication. It is named for the Observatory’s first director, Dr. ![]() The Observatory and its research were made possible by banker and lawyer William Johnson McDonald, who left much of his estate to the University for the construction of the Observatory after his death in 1926.ĭedicated in 1936, the Struve Telescope was the first telescope built here. McDonald Observatory conducts research for the University of Texas at Austin Astronomy Program. ©Walter Bibikow/Getty Images History of McDonald Observatory Visitors to the observatory can view the 430 inch Hobby-Eberly Telescope. The Star Parties also book up at least two weeks in advance. Star Parties are typically thrown on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights. It is closed to the public on Sunday and Monday. The Observatory is 450 miles west of Austin and 520 miles southwest of Dallas. The general admission ticket also allows access to the visitor center exhibit gallery and gift shop. Visitors who are not up for a tour or talk can simply purchase a general admission ticket, which includes a self-guided tour of the summits of Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes. Filtered telescopes in the visitor center allow daytime visitors to view the sun safely during solar viewing programs. ![]() Guided tours to the research telescopes are offered several times per week. Home to several of the largest telescopes in the world, the Observatory is also a popular daytime destination. ![]() Telescopes are available for sky viewing after the talk. During the two-hour Star Parties staff members point out and discuss prominent stars and constellations. For visitors, this means that stars, planets, constellations and meteors can be observed at night in their full sparkling glory, undiminished by artificial light from cities and suburbs. ![]() Located on Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the remote Davis Mountains, the Observatory and its telescopes enjoy some of the darkest skies in the continental United States. The hottest ticket in West Texas? A reservation for one of the thrice-weekly Star Parties at McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. ![]()
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