The Little Known Observatory In Texas With Views That Are Second To None
By Katie Lawrence|Published July 18, 2018
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
You’d be surprised how many people have never heard of McDonald Observatory – though I suppose it’s understandable given its incredibly remote location. Nevertheless, it’s a place that belongs on every Texan’s bucket list. Due to the extreme lack of light pollution in the West Texas desert, the unadulterated night sky sparkles above in all its starry glory.
Located high atop the Davis Mountains of West Texas, McDonald Observatory is one of the world's leading astronomy centers. This area also offers some of the darkest skies in the country, so it's not uncommon to see billions of stars illuminating the heavens on any given night.
Many different activities take place here, but Star Parties are undoubtedly the most popular - so much so that they're held every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening! You'll take a tour of the night sky, learning all about constellations and other celestial objects visible at the time. It's a fun and educational activity that the whole family is sure to enjoy.
This is the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park, where the Star Parties take place. The telescopes vary in size and type, with the largest being a whopping 24". There's even one with a wheelchair accessible eyepiece to ensure everyone has the opportunity to partake in the experience.
About an hour before the Star Party is a learning experience known as the Twilight Program. Depending on whether the moon is visible or not, you'll either learn about all of its phases or the solar system as a whole with audience members playing the role of planets.
The observatory also offers an awesome daytime tour. Explore the exhibits in the Visitors Center before heading to the theater to view incredible telescope images of the Sun. You'll also get an up-close-and-personal look at the large research telescopes that have made some very important discoveries.
If you get hungry during your visit, the StarDate Cafe serves lunch and dinner in a charming, appropriately-themed setting. With sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos, and tons of snacks on the menu, you might get full enough to burst into a supernova!
If you want to join in the Star Party, McDonald Observatory is located at 3640 Dark Sky Drive
McDonald Observatory, TX 79734. You won't regret it - the views are out of this world (pun intended).
If you love seeing the night sky in its purest form, Big Bend Ranch is a certified Dark Sky Park. No excessive light pollution to be found – just billions of twinkling stars instead.
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