Visitors Center | McDonald Observatory

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Frank N. Bash Visitors Center

The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center is the astronomical public education outreach office for the McDonald Observatory in the West Texas area. The Visitors Center offers daily tours of the research facilities and solar viewing programs as well as Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evening "Star Parties." Star Parties are evening/nighttime viewing programs using both the unaided eye and telescopes, conducted at the Visitors Center Public Observatory at the base of Mount Locke.

The McDonald Observatory / StarDate Online Gift Shop
Get yourself a McDonald Observatory cap, a Star Party "T", or work on that brain-power with a fine selection of books and McDonald Observatory publications. It's all a click away at the The McDonald Observatory / StarDate Online Gift Shop.

Commemorative Sundial Court Pavers
Be the first to write your name in a walkway to the stars by purchasing a Commemorative Sundial Court Paver at the new McDonald Observatory Visitors Center!

The Public Observatory
Learn more about our Public Observatory, its telescopes and other equipment, its benefactors, the programs conducted there, and the people who keep it running.

Internet Links
Here are some of the Internet links that we find ourselves using - they should be valuable to you as well.

Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions concerning your visit, visit our FAQ section.

Collaborations in Education
StarTec: State of the Art Telescope Education Collaboration
SCOPE: Southwestern Consortium of Observatories for Public Education

Spring Break 2012 Special Programs Schedule

The StarDate Café will be temporarily reducing its hours of operation. Until further notice, the Café will be closed all day Sundays and Mondays, and will have reduced hours (11:30-2:30) on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We hope to resume normal operations sometime in late February. The full Café schedule is here.

Now Available: Online reservations for regularly scheduled public programs (Solar Viewing, Guided Tour, Twilight Program, and Star Party) and Special Viewing Nights.

Experienced Amateur Astronomer Volunteers
needed at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center

Lunar Viewing Program

Join us for a guided tour of our nearest neighbor in space, the Moon, during our new Lunar Viewing Program. Explore mountain ranges, craters, and other features through a large telescope. Seats are limited, so call soon!

Mission Statement

To inform, educate, and inspire the general public and support teaching in the science and hobby of astronomy through accessible, engaging, and entertaining programs.
Our outreach programs promote awareness of the universe, encourage further exploration, and advance the research and educational missions of McDonald Observatory and the University of Texas at Austin.