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Milky Way Over Mt. Locke

The Milky Way soars over the domes of McDonald Observatory's Mount Locke showcasing the region's dark skies. Credit: Stephen Hummel, McDonald Observatory

Mt. Locke Domes with Star Trails

Star trails whirl around Polaris, the North Star, in early evening above the dome of the Otto Struve Telescope. The dome of the Harlan J. Smith Telescope is at right. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Hobby-Eberly Telescope in the Landscape

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope sits atop Mount Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains of West Texas. Credit: Bill Nowlin Photography

View of Mt. Locke

View of the Otto Struve and Harlan J. Smith Telescopes. Credit: Nolan Zunk, University of Texas at Austin

Mt. Locke Telescopes

The Harlan J. Smith and Otto Struve Telescopes atop Mount Locke. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Mt. Locke Winter

A view of Mount Locke after a snow fall. Image credit: Joshua Santana, McDonald Observatory

View of Mt. Fowlkes

The summit of Mt. Fowlkes features the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, as well as the McDonald Laser Ranging Station, the ROTSE/IIIb telescope, a 1-meter telescope of the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Network Group (small dome in foreground), and several other instruments and workshops. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Hobby-Eberly Telescope

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope in the landscape. Credit: Nolan Zunk, University of Texas at Austin

Hobby-Eberly Telescope with Pink Sunrise

The dome of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope below a beautiful West Texas sunrise. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

HET with George T. Abell Gallery

The dome of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope sits in front of a backdrop of blue sky at twilight. The interior of the George T. Abell Gallery, where visitors can learn about HET and view the telescope, is illuminated. (Note: The gallery is not open to the public at night). Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

HET Panorama with Clouds

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is surrounded by clouds and highlighted with a lens flare in this panoramic image. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

HET Dome at Dusk

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope at dusk. The flags of the four partner institutions fly with the U.S. flag outside the open dome. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

HET with Star Trails

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is surrounded by star trails centered on Polaris, the North Star. Credit: Frank Cianciolo, McDonald Observatory.

Silver and Gold HET

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope gleams in silver and gold against a deep blue night sky. Credit: Damond Benningfield

Smith Telescope with Star Trails

Star trails zoom past the dome of the Harlan J. Smith Telescope. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Smith Telescope with Colorful Clouds

Colorful clouds pass behind the open dome of the Harlan J. Smith Telescope. The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is visible atop Mt. Fowlkes in the background at left. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Smith Telescope with Sunrise

The Sun rises behind the open dome of the Harlan J. Smith Telescope in this panoramic view. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Otto Struve Telescope, Dome

The 82-inch (2.1-meter) Otto Struve Telescope at the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. Photo by Marty Harris, McDonald Observatory.

Telescope Dome with Yucca

The dome of McDonald Observatory's 30-inch telescope, also known as the 0.8-meter telescope, is seen atop Mount Locke. A yucca plant blooms at the top of the stairs leading down to the dome. The Davis Moutnains are visible in the background. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Frank N. Bash Visitors Center

Nighttime view of the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. The domes of the Harlan J. Smith and Otto Struve telescopes are visible atop Mt. Locke in the background. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Star Party

Visitors queue up for telescope views during a Star Party at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. In the foreground is the dome housing the 22" Cassegrain telescope, while atop Mt. Locke in the background is the 107" Harlan J. Smith Telescope. Credit: Nolan Zunk, University of Texas at Austin.

Star Party

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

Star Party Telescope Viewing

A young visitor observes through the 16" Ritchey-Chretien at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center during a public star party. Credit: Nolan Zunk, University of Texas at Austin.

Star Party Constellation Tour

The Constellation Tour is always a hit at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center during a Star Party. Credit: Nolan Zunk, University of Texas at Austin.

Star Party, Amphitheater with Milky Way

Visitors attend a Star Party in the amphitheater at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. The Milky Way shines brightly overhead, plainly visible under the dark skies of McDonald Observatory. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Star Party Constellation Tour

Visitors experience a constellation tour during a Star Party. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Aurora over Mt Fowlkes

A rare sighting of the aurora over the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. Image credit: Stephen Hummel, McDonald Observatory

TXDoT Elevation Sign

This sign from the Texas Department of Transportation is near the dome of the Harlan J. Smith Telescope. It alerts visitors that the summit of Mt. Locke is the highest point on Texas highways. Credit: Damond Benningfield

Texas Historical Marker

This sign from the Texas Historical Survey Committee explains the the founding of McDonald Observatory and its early history. Credit: Damond Benningfield

View of Frank N. Bash Visitors Center

The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. The domes of the Harlan J. Smith and Otto Struve telescopes are visible atop Mt. Locke in the background. Credit: Ethan Tweedie Photography

Exhibits

Exhibits in the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. Credit: Michael Ortiz

Exhibit Hall

A portion of the exhibit hall at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory. Credit: Kevin Mace, McDonald Observatory

Gift Shop

The Astronomy Gift Shop at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. Credit: Hester + Hardaway Photographers

Information Desk and Astronomy Gift Shop

The Information Desk and the Astronomy Gift Shop at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. Credit: Hester + Hardaway Photographers

Best of Show, Elementary School Category

Charlotte Browning's mixed media collage featuring the Otto Struve Telescope won Best of Show in the elementary school category of McDonald Observatory's art contest celebrating our 75th anniversary on April 26, 2014. Charlotte is in kindergarten at Marfa Montessori School. Credit: Charlotte Browning

Best of Show, Jr. High-High School Category

Rafael Riegel's pencil drawing of the Otto Struve Telescope won Best of Show in the junior high-high school category of McDonald Observatory's art contest celebrating our 75th anniversary on April 26, 2014. Rafael is a sophomore at Fort Davis High School. Credit: Rafael Riegel