Normally this would be on a Tuesday but I presume it was shifted to Monday since Tuesday is New Years Eve. In addition, if you're not feeling well prior to your visit, please stay home. We opted instead for the daytime tour which was still going ahead. Review of McDonald Observatory Reviewed July 12, 2019 Fine observatory part of UT (and others) system. What attractions are near McDonald Observatory? Outside it was a short walk to the top open seating area with surrounding telescopes. Tickets are required to participate. The weather cooperated and they were able to view the crescent Venus. They use a high powered laser pointer to show you various constellations and tell stories surrounding them. The craft’s mission is to study the Sun’s thin outer atmosphere, the corona. McDonald Observatory: Star party is superb! The observatory opens at 7 PM each week on Wedneday nights only. Observatory facilities are located atop Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, which offer some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. Not, The staff are very knowledgeable and helpful. Garvey Ranch Observatory One of the few public observatories left in the state. Star Party Tee Shirt. Time-lapse video of a star party at McDonald Observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. For the star party only to find out it’s a lecture followed by a movie screen of the stars. The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory is planning to reopen to the public, in a limited fashion, on Friday, Aug. 28. on the Sun, followed by a tour of the Harlan J. Smith 107-inch telescope. tell me there would be no telescope viewing? McDonald Observatory: star party! Planet Hugging a Dead Star May Have Survived its Death Throes. HUGE disappointment, but NOT their fault. The crescent Moon and Venus were fairly close on the sky and unless somebody paid special attention, they could not tell where the telescope was pointing. The Star Party was a great time and would highly recommend it, whether you are an expert star gazer or an amateur like us. Like others say..... Make reservations well in advance. McDonald Observatory Self-Guided Tour Pamphlet Map. Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for Mcdonald Observatory, TX. The drive to the observatory … Specialties: Celebrating 80 years of research and outreach! But it’s setting up for even closer encounters in the years ahead. Date of experience: October 2016 Ask Toby-Likes-Travel about McDonald Observatory The hottest ride in the solar system is really sizzling right now. We will happily reschedule or refund your tickets with no charges. McDonald Observatory, a research unit of The University of Texas at Austin, is one of the world's leading centers for astronomical research, teaching, and public education and outreach. She gave a fascinating presentation. We were able to see moon very well lit since it was only about 4 days before the full moon, 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734-3010, Husband has been talking about visiting the Observatory for years. It was an excellent presentation talking about the constellations and included viewing what was discussed through six different telescopes. McDonald Observatory: Star Party - See 1,273 traveler reviews, 376 candid photos, and great deals for Fort Davis, TX, at Tripadvisor. This program frequently sells out. Our family had tickets for one of their star parties which was unfortunately cancelled due to the Coronavirus scare. The gift shop has some really wonderful items. Twilight Programs & Star Parties typically sell out … Discounted passes are available via our online reservation system (see below) until three hours prior to the program. We also require our visitors to take the same precautions, including mask wearing, maintaining social distancing, frequent hand washing/sanitizing, and not eating/drinking inside the building. Visiting this observatory should top your Texas travel bucket list. The giant telescopes of the McDonald Observatory sit beneath some of the state’s darkest skies high upon Mount Locke and Mount Fowlkes of the Davis Mountains, providing out-of-this-world stargazing. McDonald Observatory, a research unit of The University of Texas at Austin, is one of the world’s leading centers for astronomical research, teaching, and public education and outreach. Star Party at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center (photo courtesy McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis TX) If you want to look up into space from your own backyard, here are 13 must-see stargazing events in 2013 …. Beginning with a star party that night, the observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center will begin holding public programs again. The 11am tour is a solid 2 hour tour that begins in the new visitor's center with a great presentation of solar viewing with real time views of the sun along with great explanations from Christina reg, Amazing clear night - wonderful to see Mars in the western sky The 42nd Annual Texas Star Party will be hosted on the magnificent Prude Ranch, a 3500 acre mile-high ranch located six miles northwest of Fort Davis on Highway 118… 12 miles on the same road from McDonald Observatory. We really enjoyed the star party. Depending on the time of year and the moon phase, two different versions of the program are offered. Hotels near Fort Davis National Historic Site, Hotels near Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Garden, Hotels near (MAF) Midland International Airport, Observatories & Planetariums in Fort Davis, Davis Mountains State Park: Tickets & Tours‎, Fort Davis National Historic Site: Tickets & Tours‎, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Garden: Tickets & Tours‎, Davis Mountain Scenic Loop: Tickets & Tours‎, Madera Canyon Hiking Trail: Tickets & Tours‎, Jeff Davis County Library: Tickets & Tours‎, Chateau Wright Winery and Sandwich Bar: Tickets & Tours‎, Javelinas and Hollyhocks: Tickets & Tours‎, Davis Mountain Nut Company: Tickets & Tours‎, Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Garden, View all hotels near McDonald Observatory on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near McDonald Observatory on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near McDonald Observatory on Tripadvisor. Party previously was going in to the facilities to speakers of English in the system. N. 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