Posts by McDonald Observatory
February 5, 2007
American Astronomical Society Confers Highest Honor on McDonald Observatory Director David Lambert
Dr. David Lambert, director of The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory, has been awarded the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship, the highest honor that may conferred on an astronomer by the American Astronomical Society (AAS). The AAS is the […]
January 10, 2007
Texas Supernova Search Finds Exploding Stars Fast, Follows Up Faster with Giant Telescope
Robert Quimby, a post-doctoral researcher at The University of Texas at Austin, is heading up the Texas Supernova Search — an effort to detect exploding stars of all types in the fastest way possible after their explosion, to better understand […]
January 8, 2007
University of Texas Astronomer’s Studies of Galactic Bulges May Alter Leading Theory of Galaxy Evolution
David Fisher, an astronomy graduate student at The University of Texas at Austin, is making important contributions to the future understanding of galaxy evolution by studying the different types of bulges at the hearts of nearby spiral galaxies. This work […]
December 13, 2006
University of Texas Astronomer Explores Planet Formation Around Our Galaxy’s Smallest, Most Abundant Stars
A study published in this week’s edition of Astrophysical Journal Letters, led by University of Texas at Austin graduate student Jacob Bean with research scientists Michael Endl and Fritz Benedict, brings new insight into how planets form around the most populous stars […]
November 9, 2006
New Findings Cast Doubt on Leading Theory of our Galaxy’s Birth
Studies of nearby small galaxies by an international collaboration of astronomers including McDonald Observatory’s Matthew Shetrone are casting doubt on a widely held theory explaining the Milky Way’s formation. The theory holds that our galaxy and other large galaxies are […]
November 2, 2006
McDonald Observatory, Department of Astronomy Complete $2 Million Director’s Chair Endowment
With the help of 141 donors and the Abell-Hanger Foundation of Midland, The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory and Department of Astronomy have completed the new $2-million “Frank and Susan Bash Endowed Chair for the Director of McDonald […]
October 19, 2006
McDonald Observatory Thanks Congressman Henry Bonilla for Vital Funding of NESSI Project
Representatives of McDonald Observatory will thank Congressman Henry Bonilla for his support of continued funding for the NESSI project in the Department of Defense appropriation recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush on September 9, 2006. […]
October 9, 2006
University of Texas Astronomers Confirm Planets Form from Disks Around Stars
Astronomers at The University of Texas at Austin have gone a long way toward proving that planets are born from disks of dust and gas that swirl around their home stars, confirming a theory posed by philosopher Emmanuel Kant more […]
August 28, 2006
StarDate Radio Celebrates 15 Years with Announcer Sandy Wood
StarDate announcer Sandy Wood of San Antonio will be honored this Thursday, August 31, for 15 years as presenter of the long-running astronomy radio feature. Texas Public Radio is sponsoring the event, called “Hands on the Night Sky,” for members of its radio […]
July 20, 2006
‘Science and the Sea’ Radio Program Launches This Summer
This summer, The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute (MSI) introduces a new two-minute radio program: Science and the Sea. The program takes listeners on an exploration of the unseen underwater world that covers three-fourths of our planet. Its […]
July 17, 2006
McDonald Observatory Visitors Center Named for Former Director Dr. Frank N. Bash
The McDonald Observatory visitors center is being named “the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center at McDonald Observatory” to honor Dr. Frank N. Bash, who served as Observatory director from 1989 to 2003. The naming ceremony will take place on July […]
June 7, 2006
Site testing under way at McDonald Observatory for federally funded telescope
Astronomers are studying two sites at McDonald Observatory to find the prime location for a new federally funded telescope. Called the CCD Transit Instrument II (CTI-II), the 1.8-meter telescope will be part of the federal “NESSI” program — the Near […]
May 18, 2006
Astronomers use McDonald Observatory telescopes to confirm extrasolar planet
An international team of professional and amateur astronomers, using simple off-the-shelf equipment to trawl the skies for planets outside our solar system, has hauled in its first “catch.” The astronomers discovered a Jupiter-sized planet orbiting a Sun-like star 600 light-years […]
May 18, 2006
McDonald Observatory honors local volunteers tonight
Tonight, McDonald Observatory will honor the many volunteers who help with its public Star Parties and other events throughout the year. McDonald Director Dr. David L. Lambert will host the event, which will kick off with a reception in the […]
May 2, 2006
McDonald Observatory brings Astronomy Day to Texas kids, Internet audience on May 4
The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory will celebrate Astronomy Day on May 4 by bringing an interactive, live program to thousands of students across the state, which anyone can watch at home via the Internet. The international observance […]
April 27, 2006
McDonald Observatory receives $5 million challenge grant to study elusive dark energy
Light might soon be shed on one of the great enigmas of the universe — dark energy — thanks to a $5 million challenge grant from Dallas’ Harold C. Simmons to The University of Texas at Austin. Simmons’ grant will […]