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Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks Night of December 13/14

This will be a great year to view the Geminid meteor shower. It is expected to peak the night of December 13/14. That is close to the new moon on December 12, meaning there will be little moonlight to interfere with the show. The full duration of the Geminids is November 19 to December 24.

Teacher Workshops at McDonald Observatory

For over 20 years, McDonald Observatory has offered a spectacular setting and enriching content for teacher professional development. In summer 2023, we hosted five onsite workshops, complete with telescope tours, discussions with resident researchers, and nighttime observations.Check out our 2023 summer workshops and learn about our offerings for 2024.

The Giant Magellan Telescope’s Final Mirror Fabrication Begins

The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory and other Giant Magellan Telescope partners today shared in announcing the casting of the final primary mirror for the world’s largest telescope. The Giant Magellan Telescope begins the four-year process to fabricate and polish its seventh mirror, the last required to complete the telescope’s 386-square-meter (1,266-square-foot) light collecting surface, the world’s largest and most challenging optics ever produced.

Permian Basin Area Foundation Supports McDonald Observatory Exhibit Renovations

McDonald Observatory is honored to receive a grant from Permian Basin Area Foundation in support of the Observatory’s ongoing efforts to renovate exhibits at its Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. The exhibits are a meaningful part of the visitor experience, providing an opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of astronomy and the questions it’s trying to answer.

Work with the Stars! McDonald Observatory is hiring.

Work with McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory is currently hiring for positions located in Austin and at the Observatory near Fort Davis, Texas. Join our team!