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Cosmic Dawn III Recreates the Early Universe Epoch of Reionization in Unprecedented Detail

The Cosmic Dawn ("CoDa") Project, an international team of astrophysicists, recently reached a new milestone – CoDa III – the first trillion-element simulation of how the universe evolved in its first billion years. 

two images of the galaxy EGS23205, seen as it was about 11 billion years ago

JWST Reveals Milky Way-like Galaxies in Young Universe

New images from JWST reveal for the first time galaxies with stellar bars — elongated features of stars stretching from the centers of galaxies into their outer disks — at a time when the universe was a mere 25% of its present age.

HET with star trails

Hobby-Eberly Telescope celebrates 25 years of science

One of the world's largest optical telescopes, the Hobby-Eberly telescope (HET) at The University of Texas at Austin's McDonald Observatory has reached a milestone — 25 years of service.

Investment from UT Austin, Other Partners Accelerates Construction of Giant Magellan Telescope

The Giant Magellan Telescope is a next-generation telescope that will yield important discoveries on topics such as galaxies in the early universe and Earth-sized planets orbiting nearby stars. The University of Texas at Austin is investing an additional $45 million in the GMT, which brings the university’s total commitment to $110.3 million.

McDonald creates world's largest International Dark Sky Reserve

McDonald Observatory, The Nature Conservancy, and the International Dark-Sky Association are pleased to announce the certification of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. Protecting this resource benefits not only astronomical research, but also wildlife, ecology and tourism.