Orion Circle

Orion Circle and Orion Supernova members make a significant contribution to our continued education and outreach efforts with an annual gift of $500 or $1,000, or above. Orion members also meet once a year for a special, invitation-only festival in West Texas, hosted by the McDonald Observatory Director, Taft Armandroff. The program typically includes tours, talks, dinner, and telescope viewing. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with McDonald Observatory education and outreach programs and staff and to celebrate science education and inspiration. 

Orion Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, 2023. Event program and invitations to come.

To do the most you can to improve science education nationwide — and to gain access to the most current Observatory news and events — become an Orionid today.

Orion Circle $500

• Invitation for two to the Orion Festival and Director’s Dinner hosted at McDonald Observatory (April 15, 2023)
• Recognition in the McDonald Observatory Education & Outreach annual report
• Free general admission to the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center and free Star Party passes for up to two (2) members of the same household, PLUS two guests
• Advance notice of Special Viewing Nights on Mount Locke Telescopes, including the original 2.1m Otto Struve Telescope 
• Shopping discount of 10% at the McDonald Observatory Gift Shop
• Discounts on Visitors Center Program passes and StarDate products

• Membership in the North American Reciprocal Museums Program
• Membership in the Association of Science-Technology Centers Passport Program

Orion Circle Supernova $1,000

• Invitation for four to the annual Orion Festival and Director’s Dinner at the Observatory
• Recognition in the McDonald Observatory Education & Outreach annual report
• Free general admission to the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center and free Star Party passes for up to four (4) members of the same household, PLUS two guests
• Advance notice of Special Viewing Nights on Mount Locke Telescopes, including the original 2.1m Otto Struve Telescope 
• Shopping discount of 10% at the McDonald Observatory Gift Shop
• Discounts on Visitors Center Program passes and StarDate products

• Membership in the North American Reciprocal Museums Program
• Membership in the Association of Science-Technology Centers Passport Program

*Friends of McDonald Memberships are nontransferable, and cannot be shared between households. Memberships are not refundable. Benefits subject to change; reservations required for all programs and Astronomers Lodge accommodations. Please e-mail friends@mcdonaldobservatory.org for more information.