Rates for usage vary. The Observatory and Visitors Center are located 450 miles from Austin and are on Central Time. Having said that, your stars had better be lined up if you are planning to take a trip to the McDonald Observatory area to do ALL of the following in a short trip: attend the special viewing night at the 82" or 107" telescope, attend a solar viewing program at the Visitor's Center, take the daytime tour to the 107" and HET telescopes, attend a . GATE HOURS AND DARK-OUT. Posted in Entertainment . Skip to main content. The nightly camping fee at Observatory Campground is $15 for a single site, $30 per night for a double unit, and $5 per night . 7:15 pm - Astro-Trivia Contest #1 (Prizes for Top 3 Participants) 7:20pm - Speaker Introduction - Larry Mitchell - Author of the TSP Advanced Observing Program. Click to Save 70% OFF. 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734-3010. Photo credit: Damond Benningfield. The special technical tour is limited to 20 people per day. This astronomical observatory is located right next to Ford Davis in Jeff Davis County. Be sure to view your Parking-at-McDonald map . It will start at 7:30 PM and takes place for approximately 2 hours. Event Calendar. The McDonald Observatory is located at 3640 Dark Sky Drive in Fort Davis, Texas. Our Star Party has 3 observing fields for attendees to set up their telescopes and related equipment. Easter Egg Hunt with Sully Productions. We do public star parties three nights a week, where we look through telescopes for about 85,000 visitors each . Grab as many Easter eggs as you can. I'm going. If you don't need that pass, click the number field and select zero. Star Party at McDonald Observatory. The website has all the new info as it comes in. Lodging: Hotel Limpia. Posted in Entertainment . The acclaimed West Texas observatory, named one of the best places in the U.S. to see stars, will require online reservations during this initial reopening phase. Star Party Tee Shirt. We had about three hours before the Star Party at the McDonald Observatory began which would cut it close to driving up and back to Fort Stockton which had the nearest Walmart. This observatory features a 20-inch telescope and astronomy camera to share . New July 28, 12:55 pm. If your schedule allows, getting to the observatory early to look around at the other exhibits and visit the big telescopes is worthwhile if you haven't done it before. He hosts star parties and other viewing events at the McDonald, and Saturday night saw what he describes as a "yellow-orange streak" falling across the sky. #3 of 19 things to do in Fort Davis. The observatory is part of the University of Texas at Austin, and located just north of Marfa, TX (Fort Davis is the closest town). The observatory is known for its star parties ($25), including a lecture in an outdoor amphitheater and easy access to the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park . Sale. McDonald Observatory, TX 79734: Added on . It was phenomenal with perfect conditions - clear sky and no moon! Enjoy StarDate magazine on your iPad, Kindle or Nook with our digital edition. 20 used. McDonald . Others among the top 35 include the University of Texas McDonald Observatory, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University, Palomar Observatory at California Institute of Technology and Haystack Observatory at . First July 6, 9:14 9m. Beginning with a star party that night, the observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center will begin holding public programs again. Discovered this observatory two years ago, tried to get tickets for the "Star Party" which sounded like fun and educational. Sunday May 5: 2 AM - 6:45 AM. The system defaults to one adult pass. Make a Contribution. The W.J. If planning to camp in the Observatory Campground, camping spaces are on a first come, first serve basis or you make reservations in advance at www.recreation.gov. Friday, and Saturday night the McDonald Observatory Visitors Center we deploy a number of telescopes and give attendees a . Rated PG-13. Tweet. . Read our detailed daily schedule. Bus Tours to McDonald Observatory. Purchased . . Up To 70% Off Buy Tickets For Programs. Keep up with everything in the sky with a subscription to our daily radio program, hosted by Billy Henry. Check the calendar for available program passes, which are subject to capacity limits. . Due to parking limitations, up to 200 cars worth of visitors can attend a star party. But professionals aren't the only stargazing enthusiasts to step through McDonald's "stargate." The observatory offers a robust schedule of weekly viewing programs for the public, including its popular "star parties," where astronomers operate telescopes to track space objects like planets, binary stars, spiral galaxies, and gaseous . 2022 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory . FORT DAVIS, Texas - The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory is planning to reopen to the public, in a limited fashion, on Friday, Aug. 28. Check the calendar for programs and start times. . Date: Friday Jul 28, 2017. We made last minute plans to go to the observatory and were unable to get tickets to the tour. (i.e., NOT at the research telescopes at the top of our peaks) every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening (schedule varies during the end-of-the-year holidays and Spring Break). "It is a pleasure to welcome visitors back to . Shop and save with this offer: "Star Party from $5". Star Party at McDonald Observatory. 0 . BW: Look at satellite imagery that may give hope that there's a clear spot coming. . Broadcast Schedule: All Times are in CDT (It's Texas Ya'll!) McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis: Se 1.298 anmeldelser, artikler og 382 billeder fra McDonald Observatory, nr.3 p Tripadvisor af 19 sevrdigheder i Fort Davis. Located on Mount Locke with additional facilities on Mount Fowlkes, it's a mecca for stargazing enthusiasts, drawing about 75,000 a year. 2021 TSP Virtual Event will kick off on Thursday night June 10th at 7 PM CDT with a presentation by Larry Mitchell, TSP Advanced Observing Program Chairman.Following Larry we will be LIVE at The Houston Museum of Natural Science's George Observatory located 60 miles southwest of Houston, Texas. We stayed at Fort Davis State Park. There will be some changes this year with no talks, to-go meals, masks required in certain areas, etc. McDonald Observatory 1,298 Reviews #3 of 19 things to do in Fort Davis Museums, Observatories & Planetariums 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734-3010 Open today: Closed kjo_Texas Sachse, Texas 39 15 Road to star party Review of McDonald Observatory Reviewed October 2, 2019 via mobile The road is not steep or dangerous. NPS Image. The second option is an "exchange" for a different evening. I will say coming back down after the star party, there is steady stream of . The research facility also has one of . Make a Contribution. 1:20 Bus departs for McDonald Observatory Tour 1:30 Tour departs: Museum of the Big Bend 4:30 - 5:30 TSP Registration 9:00 PM Front Gate closes/Dark-out (at end of meeting) Saturday, April 30 1:00 PM . for an awesome Easter Egg Hunt. Schedule May 6, 12pm . . Sunday- 9am -Walk the line. Home TSP Schedule - Texas Star Party TSP Schedule 2022 Guest Speakers: Meeting schedule is not confirmed at this time. . You get your tickets back and return on a different day. Located in a region known for some of the darkest night skies in the United States, the surrounding area has special light ordinances (shaded street lights, red lights, etc.) April 29-30, 2022 McDonald Observatory invites residents of Far West Texas to join us for special Star Party programs on April 29th and 30th, 2022, as part of the Dark Skies Festival. . Daytime Activities The Visitors Center will operate from 12pm to 5pm Tuesday through Saturday. Radio Program Schedule. Members of Fort Bend Astronomy Club will be our hosts for a . Tickets are required. They went to their "plan B". Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to StarDate. TEXAS STAR PARTY 2022 TSP April 24 - May 1, 2022- near Fort Davis, TX. McDonald Observatory: Fabulous Star Party - wish we had come for more - See 1,299 traveler reviews, 382 candid photos, and great deals for Fort Davis, TX, at Tripadvisor. Star Party Tee Shirt. Tweet. Some eggs will have candy and some . Beginning with a star party that night, the observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center will begin holding public programs again. Tweet. 2021 TSP Virtual Event will kick off on Thursday night June 10th at 7 PM CDT with a presentation by Larry Mitchell, TSP Advanced Observing Program Chairman.Following Larry we will be LIVE at The Houston Museum of Natural Science's George Observatory located 60 miles southwest of Houston, Texas. One of them was Kelly Gibson, the observatory's public affairs specialist. 7:25pm - The Best of the . Full July 13, 1:38 pm. . The Rafes Observatory is excited about renting to a bunch of Unitron enthusiasts. Premium Podcast. Thursday, April 22, 2021 . We booked tickets a few months in advance for the guided sky viewing and the star party. MCDONALD OBSERVATORY TOURS Visit McDonald Observatory and see the large professional 107 and 36 telescopes and HET on a separate hill. that make for amazing star gazing! 1,298 Reviews. Texas Star Party, Inc., an IRS 501 (c) 3 Non-profit Corporation. Members of Fort Bend Astronomy Club will be our hosts for a . Star Party at McDonald Observatory - Hill Country Outdoors Club Calendar Membership Software by MembershipWorks Find your adventure! Then walk over to the 82 telescope for observing session. The observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors . End Date: 13 Apr 2022. Calendar of Events | McDonald Observatory Calendar of Events Programs and events take place at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center in Fort Davis, Texas. 8. The TSP schedule is arranged with the astronomer in mind, with nothing scheduled in the mornings. Take a drive about 40 minutes away from Marfa to the McDonald Observatory for a daytime tour or fun filled evening of star gazing. When I suggested to Kel that we plan a trip to Marfa and Big Bend National Park, she excitedly brought up McDonald Observatory, located 38 miles north of Marfa in the Davis Mountains of West Texas.. They're in the south at nightfall and set in the wee hours of the morning. FORT DAVIS The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory is planning to reopen to the public on a limited basis beginning Aug. 28. While it is recommended to get tickets to the Star Party, we were able to . "It was dropping almost perpendicular to the ground," Gibson says. . Review of McDonald Observatory Reviewed July 18, 2017 It was our first trip to the observatory. McDonald Observatory Visitors Center 3640 Dark Sky Drive McDonald Observatory Texas 79734 USA The weather was pretty bad during the day but we made the trip to the . Go during a Star Party! . July 10: Moon and Antares. Order Now. The McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas is one of North America's premier research observatories. McDonald Observatory, TX 79734: Edited on Friday . . Tickets are discounted to $5 per person for all age groups. McDonald Observatory, TX 79734: Added on . Fortunately, three out of four of us had tennis shoes. McDonald's nighttime observing program is excellent. . Star parties from $5 Offer ends soon! Posted in Entertainment . 6. Star Party Enjoy night sky constellation tours in the Helen S. Martin Star Amphitheater and views of celestial objects through a number of telescopes in the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park outside of the Visitors Center. StarDate depends on the support of listeners and astronomy enthusiasts like you. Our radio program airs daily on over 300 stations. The No. In St. Mary, astronomers use the park's Dusty Star Observatory at the St. Mary Visitor Center to help explore the cosmos. With its 11-meter (433-inch) mirror, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) is one of the world's largest optical telescopes. - posted in Light Pollution: My wife and I decided to make a trip to Fort Davis, Texas over the Labor Day weekend. Star Party at McDonald Observatory. Museums, Observatories & Planetariums. For a 1.5 hour exclusive use, $100 for less than ten folks, over 10 people, $10/each. Saturday May 4: 2 AM - 6:45 AM (SOLD-OUT) Saturday May 4: 9 PM - 2 AM. . Tweet. Share Photo/Comment. I'm going. Share Photo/Comment. SRSU students, come out to the UC MALL on Wednesday, April 13th from 6-7p.m. Date: Saturday Dec 24, 2016. . Informacin en espaol Subscribe. The observatory, a research unit of the University of Texas at Austin, is located in the mountains of West Texas at 6800 feet elevation. MORE+. The director is a member of my club, the Ft. Worth Astronomical Society. Page 1 of 4 - Texas Star Party 2021 - Dates Announced! It is one of the world's leading centers for astronomical research, teaching, and public education and outreach. Star Party at McDonald Observatory. Finally, they also offer a full refund, minus a $3 administration fee. Star Parties are approximately 2 hours in length and are fun for the entire family. The McDonald Observatory Star Party is scheduled for 6:45pm. Frank N. Bash Visitors Center 3640 Dark Sky Drive McDonald Observatory, TX 79734 (432) 426-3640 Programs & Facilities Special Viewing Night on the 36" Telescope 2022 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory . Saturday May 4: 2 AM - 6:45 AM (SOLD-OUT) Saturday May 4: 9 PM - 2 AM. RVs must enter by 6:00 PM. A Prude Ranch bus or van will be available for transportation to the Observatory. Party goers can attend both nights or just one night. Yep, we knew the McDonald Observatory was nearby and bought 2 nights worth of star party tickets for the Fri-Sat events. The McDonald Observatory Visitors Center staff appreciate all of the positive reviews (and even some of the negative ones, too!) 10am Open Front Gate for attendee entry. However, after his death, the will was challenged by relatives, and, after a long legal fight, the University of Texas decided to cut their losses . Beginning with a star party that night, the observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center will begin holding public programs again. Below is a description of what we have to offer. Gate closes at 7:00 PM. . (i.e., NOT at the research telescopes at the top of our peaks) every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening (schedule varies during the end-of-the-year holidays and Spring Break). During Spring Break, we offer an altered schedule of modified programming in order to serve as many visitors as possible. You can carpool up to McDonald observatory (depart 1 hour earlier), and park car at Mt Locke parking lot (not the Visitor Center!) (i.e., NOT at the research telescopes at the top of our peaks) every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening (schedule varies during the end-of-the-year holidays and Spring Break). Use the tools below to buy passes. We had tickets for an earlier day, but we're rained out and the observatory proactively helped us reschedule for a later time. This is an old historic hotel in the heart of Fort Davis. McDonald Observatory. 0 . FORT DAVIS, Texas The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory is planning to reopen to the public, in a limited fashion, on Friday, Aug. 28. They are also up for a classic telescope star party. Sunday May 5: 2 AM - 6:45 AM. Radio Program Schedule. 1 ranking for College Astronomy Observatories went to Haleakala Observatory at the University of Hawaii. . Apr 18 McDonald Observatory Holds Dark Skies Festival April 29-30 Apr 7 Partners Create World's Largest International Dark Sky Reserve More news Events Jul 3 Visitors Center Closed - No Public Programs Jul 4 Visitors Center Closed - No Public Programs Jul 5 Visitors Center - General Admission - 12-4:30pm Jul 5 Solar Viewing - 1pm Jul 5 Secure marvelous deals when you shop this offer: Up to 70% off . Tweet. For more information, visit mcdonaldobservatory.org or call (432) 426-3640. Share Photo/Comment. McDonald Observatory: Star Party - See 1,299 traveler reviews, 382 candid photos, and great deals for Fort Davis, TX, at Tripadvisor. And our popular bimonthly astronomy magazine is the perfect skywatching companion for anyone interested in astronomical events and space exploration. The group arrived at McDonald Observatory near Ft. Davis, Texas in the late afternoon. We were still glad we went. Thursday June 10, 2021. FORT DAVIS The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory is planning to reopen to the public, in a limited fashion, on Friday, August 28. McDonald Observatory: McDonald Observatory Twilight Program & Star Party - See 1,298 traveler reviews, 382 candid photos, and great deals for Fort Davis, TX, at Tripadvisor. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN. Participants and volunteers at Trans-Pecos Ultra receive a complimentary ticket to the "Star Party" at the world renowned McDonald Observatory on Saturday before the race. Logan Pass Star Party. Date: Saturday Sep 23, 2017. Reservations are required and capacity is limited! Reservations are required for all programs and access to the McDonald Observatory site. Report Abuse Live life on full. This night watching the cosmos comes with priority access into the party, a guided tour of the constellations, and plenty of telescopes to see celestial objects with some of the clearest skies around. Be sure to view your Parking-at-McDonald map . Student Activities. But there are lots of unscheduled activities as well, including items of interest for you, spouses and children! $16.95. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to StarDate. Waitlist Available: Ireland Trip 1 Night at the Drive-In Hike Comanche Lookout Park Haunted Ghost and Bat Segway Tour Fun in the Sun in San Marcos 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734-3010 Open today: Closed MG L Sterling, Virginia 230 100 Astonishing Night Sky Star Party! Climbing the mountain it's a thrill just seeing the first glimpse of world class telescopes perched on top. 7:00 pm - Welcome to Virtual Texas Star Party - 2021! $16.95. The George Observatory, Needville This is an outdoor event. Important: McDonald Observatory, part of the University of Texas at Austin, is located 450 miles west of Austin and is on Central Time. Date: Friday Jul 28, 2017. Yes, there is a Star Party at the Mcdonald Observatory Visitors Center on Feb 26 and tickets are available. The acclaimed West Texas observatory, named one of the best places in the U.S. to see stars, will require online reservations during this initial reopening phase. Lost tickets will NOT be replaced! Fort Davis Tx, McDonald Observatory, A starry night! You can carpool up to McDonald observatory (depart 1 hour earlier), and park car at Mt Locke parking lot (not the Visitor Center!) An added attraction during TSP 2022, McDonald . Then walk over to the 82 telescope for observing session. Star Party at McDonald Observatory. The McDonald Observatory during a Star Party. We really enjoyed our time at McDonald Observatory, and highly recommend the Star Party to anyone with even a slight interest in astronomy. Open today: 7:15 PM - 10:15 PM. - posted in Astronomy Clubs, Star Parties, Shows, & Conferences: The Texas Star Party 2021 will take place on May 2nd-9th, 2021 at the Prude Ranch near Fort Davis, Texas! The McDonald Observatory, established in 1932 and located in Fort Davis, is one of the best places in Texas to view stars. July 2022 Prev Next Select another month McDonald Observatory Planning Our Visit. McDonald Observatory, TX 79734: Edited on . Share Photo/Comment. Antares, the bright orange "heart" of the scorpion, huddles quite close to the Moon tonight. 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734-3010 Open today: Closed Napunani San Antonio, Texas 1082 456 Phenomenal STAR PARTY Review of McDonald Observatory Reviewed January 5, 2014 We attended the December 30 STAR PARTY by purchasing tickets on-line about two weeks prior. that well-meaning and well-intentioned visitors have left over the years. . Tickets go on sale August 24, and . McDonald Observatory By far one of the most spectacular experiences at TPU is the bright stars of Big Bend - in fact Big Bend has the darkest skies in the lower 48 states! There is a fee for both events. Feel free to bring your own blankets or chairs. Four VIP tickets to a McDonald . and is co-sponsored by. . . (i.e., NOT at the research telescopes at the top of our peaks) every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening (schedule varies during the end-of-the-year holidays and Spring Break). Our reserved evening Star Party ended up being cloudy. Easter Egg Hunt with Sully Productions. Start Date: 13 Apr 2022. - Review of McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, TX - Tripadvisor McDonald Observatory 1,298 Reviews #3 of 19 things to do in Fort Davis Museums, Observatories & Planetariums 3640 Dark Sky Dr, Fort Davis, TX 79734-3010 Open today: Closed Save Review Highlights "Special Viewing Night was Very Special" The purpose of the trip was a relaxed weekend away from the big city and to see the McDonald Observatory. The following is valid for the week of March 12-19, 2022 only. They limit tickets sold, so it is difficult to get tickets for . The fault was ours, as the website clearly recommends advance reservations . Shop until you drop. Date: Saturday Dec 24, 2016. . (i.e., NOT at the research telescopes at the top of our peaks) every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening (schedule varies during the end-of-the-year holidays and Spring Break). It's about a 45 minute ride. The McDonald Observatory was originally endowed by Texas banker, William McDonald, who left approximately $1,000,000 to the University of Texas for the construction of an astronomical observatory. If you wish to explore the McDonald Observatory, you can choose from four different admission tickets: Beginning with a Star Party that night, the observatory's Frank N. Bash Visitors Center will begin holding public programs again. . The McDonald Observatory is located near Fort Davis, Texas. The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory is planning to reopen to the public, in a limited fashion, on Friday, Aug. 28. . Next head to the McDonald Observatory for VIP access for four to their often sold-out Star Parties. Aerial view of McDonald Observatory. Tickets go on sale August 24, and . Be sure to book the Star Party and/or 36" telescope special viewing on Tues or Fri night if they are available. The Southwest Region of the Astronomical League. . Read our detailed daily schedule. You are invited to attend the 42nd Annual Texas Star Party April 24th to May 1, 2022. McDonald Observatory. StarDate is part of the education and outreach arm of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. We attended both the Twilight Program and the Star Party. Last July 20, 9:19 am. Share Photo/Comment. StarDate depends on the support of listeners and astronomy enthusiasts like you. Check out Promo codes & Deals at McDonald Observatory today! TSP 2022 will be hosted on the Prude Ranch, located six miles northwest of Fort Davis on Highway 118. The University of Texas McDonald Observatory's StarDate radio series - created by Byrd in 1978 - remains the longest-running science outreach program on U.S. radio. The normal course of the Star Party has the event beginning with a rather lengthy and detailed introduction where the schedule is explained, rules are laid out, and telescope targets are . McDonald Observatory, TX 79734: Edited on Friday .