If you're planning to visit the McDonald Observatory during the Spring Break week of March 13-20, please see our expanded Spring Break Schedule.

Currently up to 100,000 visitors each year participate in the variety of public observing activities conducted at the Visitors Center Public Observatory, including Solar Viewing and Star Party programs. Many of the instruments available for public use were donated to the facility by individuals, companies, and institutions seeking to promote interest in astronomy.

Large groups planning on visiting the Observatory and/or joining any of our public programs should notify the Visitors Center prior to the visit.

The Visitors Center is open daily from 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M (additional hours on Star Party nights), and closed only on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

DRESS WARMLY!!! Temperatures vary quite a bit at our elevation (6,300-6,800 feet above sea level) and are usually much cooler than other areas of Texas. The mountain air can cool as much as 20 degrees after sunset and most of the Star Party program takes place outside under the stars. For summer make sure you bring at least a light jacket and long pants. For Fall, Winter, and early Spring programs, layer your attire and bring a warm coat, thermals, gloves, and something to keep your head warm.

Daytime Activities - Included in the "Daytime Pass":

• Explore the "Decoding Starlight" Exhibit Hall at the Visitors Center and enjoy various astronomical presentations in our multimedia theater.
• See our nearest star, the Sun, from the comfort of our multimedia theater during our Solar Viewing program. View sunspots, flares, and prominences safely as they happen live. In the event of cloudy conditions, we will provide video of the above, taken with our telescopes.
• Join our Guided Tour for an up-close look at large research telescopes at McDonald Observatory. The 90-minute tours are led by knowledgeable guides who will give you insight into the workings of a professional scientific research facility. A portion of the Tour takes place outside, so please dress appropriately. Even during summer, wind at the summit can make a warm day seem unpleasantly cool.

RESERVATIONS ARE NEITHER REQUIRED NOR ACCEPTED FOR DAILY PROGRAMS.

Passes must be purchased at our Visitors Center. Program availability is limited, so please arrive at least 15-30 minutes before programs begin. Although reservations are not taken, passes can be purchased as early as 10:00 A.M. on the day of the program. Due to research and maintenance requirements, tour content may vary.

Discounted passes are available for seniors (65+), military personnel, and University of Texas System faculty, staff, and students.

Self Guided Tours of our largest telescope, the 362" Hobby-Eberly Telescope, are available at no charge from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. daily.

Interested in setting up a private tour or viewing for your group? Check out our Private Programs page.

Take a Virtual Tour with your Web browser!

Evening Star Party - Included in the "Star Party Pass":

• Enjoy a tour of the constellations and view the moon, planets, stars, galaxies, and other objects through large telescopes at our Visitors Center Public Observatory. The program is fun for the entire family, and is open to everyone. In the event of rain, significant clouds, or high winds/dust/humidity, a series of unique indoor presentations will stimulate your interest and curiosity; refunds due to inclement weather are not available. The StarDate Café and Gift Shop open one hour before the Star Party.

Because there is no limit to the number of people attending a Star Party, RESERVATIONS ARE NEITHER REQUIRED NOR ACCEPTED FOR STAR PARTIES.

Join us for both the daytime programs and the Star Party and get both passes for a reduced rate:

DRESS WARMLY!!! Temperatures vary quite a bit at our elevation (6,300-6,800 feet above sea level) and are usually much cooler than other areas of Texas. The mountain air can cool as much as 20 degrees after sunset and most of the Star Party program takes place outside under the stars. For summer make sure you bring at least a light jacket and long pants. For Fall, Winter, and early Spring programs, layer your attire and bring a warm coat, thermals, gloves, and something to keep your head warm.

When should I visit for a Star Party?
Although there is no single best answer to this question, one of the more important things to keep in mind is the phase of the Moon. With the Moon at any phase between several days before First Quarter and 3 or 4 days past Full, bright moonlight limits our ability to observe faint objects but, of course, gives us great views of the Moon itself.

At the U.S Naval Observatory data service site, you can find lists of dates of the four major moon phases to help you make your plans.

Twilight Program

Our Twilight Program is an engaging, 60-70 minute learning experience which takes place on Star Party nights only, one and a half hours before the Star Party begins. This program is separate from and does not include the Star Party, although you may do both if you wish...most people do.

In our current Modeling the Night Sky Twilight Program, you will learn about planets - where to find them, where not to find them, and why they move and change in our night sky from week to week. This program utilizes both our indoor theater for visualization, and our outdoor amphitheater where we will construct a more-or-less scale model of our Solar System.

This program is great for all ages. Dress warmly...half of this program takes place outdoors.

Ticket prices for the Twilight Program vary with program content; tickets for our current program are $5.00 in addition to Star Party. Introduced several years ago, the Twilight Program has become more and more popular ... to the point that it is now occasionally selling out. Twilight Program tickets can only be purchased on the day of the program itself, in person.

Lunar Viewing Program - NEW PROGRAM!

Our Lunar Viewing Program is the closest you can get to a guided tour of the Moon, next to hitching a ride on a rocket.  Through telescope observing, staff presentations and guided activities, participants in the Lunar Viewing Program will conduct an in-depth exploration of our nearest cosmic neighbor, the Moon.  Take a whirlwind tour of the lunar surface using our 16” telescope and state of the art imaging equipment.  Then use the eyepiece for a more intimate view of select targets, while the eyepiece view is simultaneously presented on a large video monitor for all to see.  Typical observing targets include large craters, mountain ranges and other geological formations, as well as Apollo landing sites.  In addition to telescope viewing, the program includes activities and presentations highlighting the formation of the moon, surface geological features, craters, moon phases and the Apollo missions.

Scheduled dates and times for this program will vary depending on lunar phase and time of year.  Seating is limited and reservations are required.  The Lunar Viewing Program is approximately 3-3.5 hours in length and takes place both outdoors and in an unheated dome.

Special Viewing Nights

Dinner and a Viewing on the 107" Harlan J. Smith Telescope

One night a month, typically on the Wednesday nearest the full moon, the 107-inch Harlan J. Smith Telescope is opened for public viewing. A special dinner will also be provided to all participants, and will be served at the Visitors Center's StarDate Café or Astronomers Lodge before seating at the 107" dome floor. In addition to the view through the telescope, the professional astronomer using the telescope speaks about their research project and answers questions. A demonstration of spectroscopy (one of the many techniques used by research astronomers to learn about the universe) is given by the Visitors Center staff to offer the program participants a glimpse into how research is conducted at McDonald Observatory. Viewing Night on the 107" is typically a 4 hour program from dinner time to conclusion.

Scheduled dates for this program vary from month to month, and due to limited seating on the observing floor, early reservations are encouraged particularly for the Spring and Summer months.

New dates posted for 2010!

Program Schedule

Special Viewing Night on the 36" Telescope

Dedicated in 1956, the 36-inch Telescope near the top of Mt. Locke remains a powerful window on the universe. Its long focus allows for awesome views of the planets as well as excellent, high contrast views of deep space objects like globular clusters, planetary nebulae, and galaxies. Although not our largest telescope open for public viewing, the 36-inch has the great advantage of the Visitors Center securing more nights for public programs than on the 107-inch, while still providing excellent views. Join us for a 36-inch Special Viewing Night and we're sure you'll agree!

Program Schedule

Special Viewing Night on the 82" Otto Struve Telescope

This program is currently unavailable. For more information, please visit the 82" Special Viewing Night page.

Can't decide which evening viewing program is for you?

The Dinner and a Viewing on the 107" is designed to give you insight into the tools and methods of astronomical research. You'll have contact with a professional researcher and will look through the 107" telescope at two objects. This program may not be suitable for children under ten.

Special Viewing Night on the 36" is our most casual viewing program. Not only will you get fabulous views through a large telescope, but you'll also have more opportunity to marvel at our dark skies since we won't be in a large dome that obscures most of the sky. This allows us to conduct a "constellation tour" for the participants. Best of all, since this telescope isn't used as much for research as are the 107" and 82" telescopes, we have more access for a wide variety of special programs. This program may not be suitable for young children.

The Lunar Viewing Program is all about the Moon.  On occasion, an additional target (e.g., a planet) will be added, but otherwise viewing focuses entirely on lunar surface features.  You’ll have a chance to see spectacular views of the lunar surface and our unique eyepiece/camera set-up makes identifying features a snap.  The hands-on activities are educational and great for older children and adults alike.  Ages 10 & up recommended.

Our public Star Parties, held every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday, are great for those with young children and don't require reservations.

If you're still having trouble deciding, call us at (432) 426-3640 and we'll be happy to assist you!