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Kepler Space Telescope

Two New Planets Discovered Using Artificial Intelligence

Texas astronomers, in partnership with Google, have used artificial intelligence to uncover two more hidden planets in the Kepler space telescope archive.

New Instrument Enables Discovery of Planets Around Cool Stars

The new Habitable Zone Planet Finder can detect planets capable of having liquid water on their surfaces orbiting nearby cool stars called red dwarfs. 

StarDate Radio Celebrates 40 Years

The longest running nationally aired science program is marking a major milestone. “StarDate”  radio, produced by The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory, celebrates 40 years on the nation’s airwaves.

White Dwarf Interior

Stars Observed Turning into Crystals for the First Time

The first direct evidence of crystallized white dwarf stars has been discovered by an international team of researchers including UT Austin's Bart Dunlap. Predicted half a century ago,  evidence of these stars will be published tomorrow in the journal Nature.

New Geodetic Observatory Coming to McDonald

A new scientific facility is under construction here. The McDonald Geodetic Observatory will help scientists better understand Earth and could help minimize the effects of geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sea level changes and landslides