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  • Craig Nance is New Observatory Superintendent

    Craig Nance began his tenure as Superintendent of McDonald Observatory January 5. The Superintendent is the on-site manager of the Observatory.

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    Regents Authorize $50 Million for UT Austin Share in GMT

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently authorized UT Austin to spend $50 million to participate in building the Giant Magellan Telescope project, which will be the world’s largest telescope when it’s completed in 2020. The project will give students, researchers and faculty the opportunity to make groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy.

  • In this aerial view, the two large domes in the foreground are the 2.1-meter Str

    McDonald Observatory: Brain Motor

    Click to visit our YouTube channel to view this new 15-minute video overview of McDonald Observatory. Narrated by StarDate's Sandy Wood, it discusses our history and the cutting-edge science happening here today.

  • Stars shine in an inky night sky above the open dome of the Harlan J. Smith Tele

    Finding the Sun's 'Long-lost Brother'

    Ivan Ramirez has identified the first “sibling” of the Sun — a star that was almost certainly born from the same cloud of gas and dust as our star. Ramirez’ methods will help other astronomers find other “solar siblings,” work that could lead to an understanding of how and where our Sun formed, and how our solar system became hospitable for life.