Open House 2007 Information

Welcome & Bienvenidos to the Open House at The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, May 12, 2007!

Free Admission all day

Open House Program

For all event times, see schedule (PDF, 68kB)

Fire Truck Display and Free Hot Dogs
Our shiny orange fire truck will be on display in the parking lot on Spur 77, and we’ll be serving free hot dogs and bottled water near the fire truck for lunch.

Educational programs (at the Visitors Center Classroom)*
Educational programs are fun for the whole family and a great way to learn about astronomy. Learn how to build a planisphere to help you find your way around the night sky.

Talks (at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center Theater)*
Astronomers and engineers from The University of Texas McDonald Observatory will present talks in the theater throughout the day. Don’t miss this great opportunity to experience the research, history, and working life at McDonald Observatory.

12:00 P.M. The Mysteries of Dark Energy by Dr. Gary Hill
1:00 P.M. Building the Hobby Eberly Telescope by John Booth, Chief Engineer
3:00 P.M. Celestial Dodgeball: Earth vs. Asteroids by Dr. Judit Ries
4:00 P.M. The Working Life of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope by Bob Calder, Hobby Eberly Telescope Facility Manager

Viewing of Celestial Objects
Solar viewing will take place in the theater; views of the Moon and Venus will be offered from the telescope outside the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.

Telescope Demonstrations on Mt. Fowlkes and Mt. Locke*
Telescope demonstrations will take place throughout the day and astronomers will be on hand to demonstrate the telescopes and talk about their research. Parking is limited. If you are driving an RV, please plan to take a bus or shuttle to the telescope demonstrations. They depart from the Visitors Center; see Program Schedule for times.

Davis Mountains Preserve Guided Tour*
Two guided tours conducted by the Nature Conservancy will take place during the day at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Transportation leaves for the Davis Mountains Preserve site at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from the Visitor Center.

Evening Programs at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center
The evening program starts at the Visitors Center StarDate Café with live music by The Hungry 5 Oompah Band. Plan to grab dinner at the Café and enjoy the concert. Make time to shop in our astronomy gift store. The Twilight program, designed especially for families, begins in the theater and ends outside in the amphitheater. The Star Party begins with the Constellation Tour in the amphitheater followed by viewing through telescopes at the Rebecca Gale Telescope Park.

*Get free tickets at the Information Desk at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.