Cancellation, Rescheduling, and Refund Policy

Unless specified otherwise, cancellation requests received more than 3 days before your reserved program will be refunded, less a $3 processing fee. The processing fee is applied per reservation, not per individual pass. We are unable to issue a refund for cancellation requests received less than 3 days before the program.

On occasion, McDonald Observatory may have to cancel a program due to poor weather conditions or technical issues beyond our control. If we cancel a program, we will send a notification to the email associated with the reservation and issue refunds to all participants, waiving any processing fees.

If you need to reschedule your visit, please let us know as soon as possible. We can change your reservation to another date if there are enough passes available to accommodate the request. Otherwise, we will be happy to process a cancellation in accordance with our Cancellation Policy.

We are unable to reschedule your reservation if you miss your reserved program without providing advance notice. We will not provide a refund if you arrive for a Guided Tour after the tour group has left the Visitors Center.

Cancellation requests received more than 3 days before your reserved program will be refunded, less a $25 processing fee. We are unable to issue a refund for cancellation requests received less than 3 days before the program.

When the weather is expected to prevent views of the night sky, we provide alternative programming inside. At least two hours before the Star Party’s scheduled start time, we will send a notification to the email associated with the reservation indicating the change and offering a refund, if desired. To get a refund, you must respond to the email before the start of the program. Refunds will be issued less a $3 processing fee.

Your host will explain that evening’s alternative programing options at the start of the Star Party. Visit our Star Parties page to learn more.

Cancellation requests received more than 7 days before your reserved program will be refunded, less a $5 processing fee. You may reschedule up to 3 days before the program at no charge.

When the weather is expected to prevent all views of the night sky, we provide alternative programming in the form of an up-close tour of the telescope. At least two hours before the Special Viewing Night’s scheduled start time, we will send a notification to the email associated with the reservation indicating the change and offering a refund, if desired. To get a refund, you must respond to the email before the start of the program. Refunds will be issued less a $5 processing fee.

Your host may offer a partial refund if weather conditions prevent us from viewing a large portion of our planned targets.