Public Observatory Donors

The original Public Observatory was dedicated in July of 1988 and was made possible through the generous donations of these Friends of McDonald Observatory:   Mrs. W. Jean Kachelries, Mrs. Patsy Steves and the Marshall Steves, Jr., family, and Mr. Edwin Wiegand.

The centerpieces of the facility are two 20-foot Ash Domes that currently house a Meade Instruments 16" LX-200 telescope donated by the manufacturer, and a 22" classical cassegrain donated by Mr. Larry Forrest of Austin, Texas. Mr. Forrest also donated a 22" Newtonian telescope, which is utilized in the telescope park along with an exquisite 8" fixed eyepiece scope designed, built, and donated by Mr. John Gregory. We also utilize 8" reflectors commercially available from Celestron and Meade telescopes, including a Meade LX-90 generously donated by Frank and Bonnie McElvaney.