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William J. McDonald

Portrait of William Johnson McDonald, the Paris, Texas, banker who left the bulk of his fortune to The University of Texas at Austin “for the purpose of aiding in erecting and equipping an Astronomical Observatory to be kept and used in connection with and as part of the University for the study and promotion of the study of Astronomical Science.”

William J. McDonald

Photo of William J. McDonald (1844-1926).

Struve Dome Frame

Otto Struve Telescope Dome with Workers, mid-1930s. Workers take a break from construction on the dome of the 82-inch telescope (later re-named the Otto Struve Telescope). The dome is 62 feet wide and weighs 115 tons. Construction on the telescope began in 1933 and ran through 1939. Credit: McDonald Observatory.

Otto Struve Telescope Mirror

Otto Struve Telescope Mirror, about 1939. J.S. Plaskett, C.A.R. Lundin, and George A. Decker view the 82-inch telescope's primary mirror at Warner & Swasey Company in Cleveland prior to shipment to Texas. The telescope was later re-named the Otto Struve Telescope. This photo was likely taken in 1939. Photo courtesy Warner & Swasey Company.

Otto Struve Telescope Gear

Struve Telescope Construction, mid-1930s. Workers at Warner & Swasey Company in Cleveland put the finishing touches on the polar axis and driving gear of the 82-inch telescope (later re-named the Otto Struve Telescope) destined for McDonald Observatory. Photo courtesy Warner & Swasey Company.

Otto Struve Telescope Tube

Struve Telescope Tube, mid-1930s. The tube of the 82-inch telescope (later re-named the Otto Struve Telescope) en route to McDonald Observatory. Credit: McDonald Observatory.

Cross Section of the Otto Struve Telescope

Drawing of Struve Telescope. Engineering diagram of the 82-inch telescope (later re-named the Otto Struve Telescope). Credit: McDonald Observatory.

Dedication

Dedication of McDonald Observatory, 1939. Taken in front of the Otto Struve Telescope.

Harlan J. Smith Telescope Construction

Construction of Smith Telescope, late 1960s. Construction on the 107-inch telescope (later re-named the Harlan J. Smith Telescope) began in 1966 and ended in 1968. Credit: McDonald Observatory.

Lunar Laser on the Harlan J. Smith Telescope

From the late 1960s to mid-1980s, McDonald Observatory astronomers measured the Earth-Moon distance by beaming a laser from the 2.7-meter Harlan J. Smith Telescope to reflectors placed on the Moon by Apollo astronauts. Credit: Frank Armstrong, UT Austin