Frank N. Bash Visitors Center

A portion of the exhibit hall at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory.

(Kevin Mace / McDonald Observatory)

Inside the theater at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. © 2002, Hester + Hardaway Photographers

The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory at dusk. The domes of the Harlan J. Smith and Otto Struve Telescopes are visible atop Mt. Locke in the distance. © 2002, Hester + Hardaway Photographers

The Wren-Marcario Accessible Telescope (WMAT) sits on a concrete pad behind the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. This 100% wheelchair-accessible telescope was dedicated July 17, 2010. It allows wheelchair users greater access to telescope viewing at the Observatory's popular star parties. The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) atop Mt. Fowlkes is visible in WMAT's central mirror. Credit: Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory

The Wren-Marcario Accessible Telescope at McDonald Observatory's Frank N. Bash visitors center is designed to be 100% wheelchair accessible. The telescope's open design and wide wheelchair pathways will allow mobility-impaired visitors greater access to the Observatory's popular star parties, and will also be used by other visitors. Credit: Tim Jones/Mike Jones/McDonald Observatory

The new Wren-Marcario Accessible Telescope (WMAT) sits on a concrete pad behind the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. This 100% wheelchair-accessible telescope will be dedicated July 17, 2010. It will allow mobility-impaired visitors greater participation in the Observatory's popular star parties, and will also be used by other visitors. The Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) is visible in WMAT's central mirror, and the domes of Mt. Locke are visible in the background (Harlan J. Smith Telescope at left, Otto Struve Telescope at right).

Visitors enjoying a star party at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory

The visitors center at McDonald Observatory was re-named the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory in a ceremony on July 22, 2006, to honor former Observatory director Dr. Frank Bash. Photo by Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory

The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory opened in 2002. The interior houses exhibits, a theater, and cafe. This photo of the Center shows the Sundial Court in front, the patio of the StarDate Cafe (left), the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park (right, rear) and the Amphitheater (center, rear). Credit: Martin Harris/McDonald Observatory

The Rebecca Gale Telescope Park at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center is home to three star parties each week, under some of the darkest night skies in North America. Credit: Frank Cianciolo/McDonald Observatory