Posts by McDonald Observatory
January 13, 2002
Bash to Step Down as McDonald Observatory Director
Austin, Texas — Frank Bash, Director of the University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory, has announced that he will resign his directorship effective August 31, 2003. “I think it’s time,” Bash said. “It’s said that an observatory director has […]
January 7, 2002
Radiation zaps Mars and extrasolar planets, affects biological evolution
Austin, Texas — Calculations by a team of astronomers at The University of Texas at Austin show that jolts of radiation from space may affect biological and atmospheric evolution on planets in our own solar system and those orbiting other […]
January 7, 2002
Radioactive decay of elements gives age of stars, points to evolution of the Milky Way
Austin, Texas – Gold, silver, platinum and other exotic heavy elements forged in the explosions of massive stars are leading the way to understanding the birth of elements in our Milky Way galaxy. According to Christopher Sneden, professor of astronomy […]
November 29, 2001
Give the StarDate Sky Almanac this season and support science education in Texas!
The 2002 edition of the StarDate Sky Almanac is now available for $4 from McDonald Observatory. The guide contains a year’s worth of skywatching information — how to find planets, bright stars and constellations, and when to watch for nature’s […]
November 29, 2001
Texas Teachers to Benefit from $35K Gift to McDonald Observatory
Midland oilman and investor Joe Parsley has given $30,000 to McDonald Observatory to enable West Texas teachers to attend professional development workshops at the Observatory, near Fort Davis. “I want to get young students interested in science and engineering,” Mr. […]
November 29, 2001
Meadows Foundation Grant to Benefit McDonald Observatory
The Meadows Foundation of Dallas is granting McDonald Observatory $105,000 to support its K-12 educational programs over the next three years. The grant will fund teacher professional development workshops and presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for students at the new […]
June 14, 2001
UT Austin scientists find evidence that all radio-loud quasars may be blazars
AUSTIN, Texas — Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have found new evidence to suggest that all radio-loud quasars may be blazars — and the differences between them may be related to the angle from which they are […]
February 14, 2001
SBC Foundation supports radio outreach for science education
The SBC Foundation has made a $150,000 gift to the University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory to support the innovative Universo radio program. Started in 1995 with a grant from the National Science Foundation, Universo is a daily two-minute […]
February 14, 2001
American Electric Power Sponsors StarDate, Bringing Astronomy Lore to Millions
American Electric Power Company (AEP) has made a grant to the University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory to sponsor its StarDate radio program. By doing so, AEP becomes StarDate’s exclusive national sponsor for 2001. American Electric Power is a […]
February 14, 2001
World’s Top Observatories to Collaborate for Public Education
Educators from many of the world’s top observatories are heading to Cape Town, South Africa, this week, in an effort to strengthen international ties in public science education. Beginning Friday, they will attend a workshop to discuss the creation of […]
October 12, 2000
Touching the Stars: UT Astronomer Honored for Inspiring Teachers, Students
AUSTIN, Texas: Dr. Mary Kay Hemenway, a research associate and senior lecturer in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin, has been selected to receive the Honorary Life Member award from the Science Teachers Association of […]
August 29, 2000
Long Foundations provide support for Universo, Spanish-language sister program to StarDate radio broadcasts
AUSTIN, Texas: The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory has received a $100,000 gift from Joe R. Long and Dr. Teresa Lozano Long of Austin, through the Long Foundations. The gift will support the innovative Universo radio program, the sister program […]
August 7, 2000
Search For Extrasolar Planets Hits Home
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Today, a team of astronomers will announce the discovery of a Jupiter-mass planet orbiting a star, Epsilon Eridani, 10.5 light-years away, making it the first such planet found this close to our own solar system. Dr. William Cochran, […]
June 26, 2000
New Lighting Ordinance Promotes Darker Skies, Safer Streets
ALPINE, Texas: On May 23, 2000, the Alpine City Council unanimously approved a new lighting ordinance, which took effect June 22. The ordinance represents a successful collaboration by several people, including Alpine City Manager Doug Lively; James Walker of the […]