McDonald Observatory Live Streaming Programs

Visit the Observatory from the comfort of your living room! Join us live on our Youtube channel, Facebook, or Instagram. Upcoming programs will be announced here and on social media before the program occurs. Thanks for tuning in!

Wednesday, December 11, 8:00 p.m. CT Family Livestream: The Moon, Jupiter, & Saturn McDonald Observatory invites young astronomers and their families to join us to learn about planets! We'll be viewing Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the Moon! This program is being presented to our young audience members, with grades 2-6 in mind, but kids of all ages (2-100+) are welcome to learn with us. Please have your curious scientists bring their questions. Watch this livestream on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram.


Moon Tours Hosts: Kevin Mace Judy Meyer Saul Rivera Join us for a tour of and discussion about Earth's companion, the Moon. During the tour, your host will show both low and high power live views of the Moon and its many features visible through our 16" and 3" telescopes at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center located at McDonald Observatory.	Deep Sky Tours Hosts: Stephen Hummel Kevin Mace Saul Rivera Our Deep Sky Tours feature live views of some of the objects which we typically look at during our popular Star Party programs, including nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. The live stream is broadcast from the dome of our RCOS 16" f/9 RC telescope at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.	Solar Tours Hosts: Joe Wheelock Judy Meyer Sam Jones No sunscreen required! Our Solar Tours feature live views of our nearest star, the Sun. Depending upon the Sun's activity level at the time of the program, your host will show sunspots, flares, prominences, and other features using specialized telescopes and solar filters.
Archived Moon Tours	Archived Deep Sky Tours	Archived Solar Tours
January 17, 2024	August 22, 2024	July 17, 2024
July 6, 2023	April 12, 2023	May 24, 2023
July 28, 2020	February 22, 2023	March 4, 2023
June 30, 2020	April 21, 2022	June 16, 2021
June 26, 2020	November 11, 2021	March 5, 2021
May 29, 2020	July 7, 2021	July 7, 2020
May 26, 2020	April 7, 2021	June 1, 2020
May 3, 2020	March 6, 2021
	January 7, 2021
	December 11, 2020
	December 2, 2020
	November 11, 2020
	August 8, 2020
	July 14, 2020
	June 23, 2020
	June 12, 2020
	June 9, 2020
	May 22, 2020
	May 16, 2020
	May 9, 2020
	April 23, 2020
	April 18, 2020
	April 14, 2020

Binary Stellar Evolution and Novae (Archived from October 3, 2024) Learn about binary stellar evolution, novae, and the upcoming T Corona Borealis Nova with your hosts, Saul Rivera and Dr. Teznie Pugh!
Control Room Livestream: Celebrating the Otto Struve Telescope (Archived from May 22, 2024) Our 82in Otto Struve Telescope turns 85 years old this month! Join us from the telescope's control room as we celebrate by showing you what goes on behind the scenes, talk about the history of the telescope and the Observatory, and even go into some of the research (both past and present) done with this telescope!
Total Solar Eclipse Livestream (Archived from April 8, 2024) Join us as we talk about eclipses, what causes them, how to safely view them and watch the peak of the eclipse from three locations in Texas: McDonald Observatory, Lake Buchanan, and Irving. We will also be showing live views from telescopes and on site cameras (weather permitting).
"Decoding Starbirth with AI" Live Deep Sky Tour (Archived from March 7, 2024) Dr. Stella Offner and Saul Rivera show you views from a camera attached to a research-grade 16" telescope at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center while talking to Dr. Offner about her research and how she is using AI to learn more about stellar formation.
FAMILY ASTRONOMY: Big Planets (Archived from November 8, 2023) Your hosts Joe Wheelock and Saul Rivera show you live views of several planets in our solar system, teach you cool facts about them, and even talk about big planets in other star systems!
"Ring of Fire" Live October Annular Eclipse (Archived from October 14, 2023) A special collaborative livestream between McDonald Observatory and the Blakemore Planetarium in Midland, Texas, for the October 2023 Annular Eclipse! Hosts and staff at both locations talk about eclipses, what causes them, how to safely view them, answer questions submitted by the public, and watch the peak of the eclipse, with live views from telescopes.
FAMILY ASTRONOMY: Books! Books! Books! (Archived from March 8, 2023) We love astronomy, and we love astronomy books! Join us as we share some of our favorite astronomy books for all ages, from babies and kids to families and adults.
FAMILY ASTRONOMY: Galaxies (Archived from January 18, 2023) Bring the whole family to look at, learn about, and even build your own galaxies! If you'd like to build a galaxy along with the live program, be ready with a 12-inch piece of cardboard or poster board, glue, cotton balls, and glitter glue or paint.
Mars Opposition Livestream with Lowell Observatory (Archived from December 8, 2022) Hosts: Saul Rivera and Judy Meyer, McDonald Observatory John Compton and Kevin Schindler, Lowell Observatory This show is a special joint livestream between McDonald Observatory and Lowell Observatory for the Mars 2023 opposition! Hosts from both observatories discuss all things Mars, such as its science, history, geology, and future missions. This show also features live views of Mars from telescopes at both sites.
Hobby-Eberly Telescope - LIVE from the Control Room (Archived from November 9, 2022) Hosts: Saul Rivera, McDonald Observatory Dr. Steven Janowiecki, Resident Astronomer, Hobby-Eberly Telescope Hosts Saul Rivera and resident astronomer Dr. Steven Janowiecki show how astronomers conduct research and what they see in the control room as data are collected.
Hobby-Eberly Telescope Birthday Celebration (Archived from October 26, 2022) Host: Saul Rivera, McDonald Observatory Co-Hosts: Dr. Jim Fowler, Dr. Steven Janowiecki, Herman Kriel Join us in celebrating the birthday of our largest telescope with a panel discussion with some of the staff that work on it! Learn about the history, engineering, and science of the Hobby Eberly Telescope.
Live Milky Way Tour (Archived from Wednesday, August 24, 2022) Hosts: Saul Rivera and Joseph Wheelock at the McDonald Observatory Hosts Saul Rivera and Joe Wheelock show you views from a camera attached to a research-grade 16" telescope at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center, along with spectacular wide angle views of the Milky Way. Unfortunately, the viewing portion of the show was clouded out.
Live Total Lunar Eclipse (Archived from Sunday, May 15, 2022) Hosts: Saul Rivera and Joseph Wheelock at the McDonald Observatory Hosts Saul Rivera and Joe Wheelock show live views from a camera attached to a telescope at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center. Discussion topics include eclipses, how they occur, how to get safe pictures of them, and the program includes open ended Q&A.
What is Spectroscopy? (Archived from Wednesday, February 16, 2022) Hosts: Joseph Wheelock, Saul Rivera, and Stephen Hummel at the McDonald Observatory Learn about a technique astronomers use, spectroscopy, and see unique views of some celestial objects with one of our telescopes.
Family Astronomy: Lives of Stars (Archived from Wednesday, January 26, 2022) Hosts: Judy Meyer, Martinique Pautzke, and Saul Rivera at the McDonald Observatory Learn about the life cycle of stars and view various nebulae and star clusters which related to different stages of a star's life.
Family Astronomy: Live Planets (Archived from Wednesday, October 27, 2021) Hosts: Judy Meyer, Martinique Pautzke, and Joe Wheelock at the McDonald Observatory Watch this family-oriented livestream program which was broadcast on October 27, 2021. We discussed planets and enjoyed live views of Jupiter, Saturn, and more.
Perseid Meteor Shower (Archived from Wednesday, August 11, 2021) Hosts: Stephen Hummel and Saul Rivera at the McDonald Observatory with Dr. Anita Cochran, Assistant Director, McDonald Observatory Enjoy the Perseid meteor shower livestream which was broadcast on August 11, 2021. Unfortunately, the viewing portion of the show was clouded out, but hosts also discussed the origins of meteor showers, their relationship with comets, and much more.
Reflections on the 82-inch Telescope (Archived from May 5, 2021) Hosts: Kevin Mace and Martinique Pautzke Join us as we celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the 82-inch Otto Struve Telescope. We discuss the early history of the McDonald Observatory and the workings of this 82-inch (2.1 meter) telescope. A number of ‘guest stars’ joined us to share their stories and experiences with the first telescope at the McDonald Observatory.
Hobby-Eberly Telescope Tour (Archived from March 10, 2021) Hosts: Martinique Pautzke and Saul Rivera Explore McDonald Observatory’s 10-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope nestled in the mountains of Far West Texas. Learn how 91 mirrors collect starlight, why the telescope spins on air, and who we need to keep a research facility operating. Hosts Martinique Pautzke and Saul Rivera use images and videos to engage all ages in this program.
Planet Fest 2020 (Archived from October 21, 2020) Hosts: Stephen Hummel and Martinique Pautzke Watch this program from October 21, 2020 when Mars was at its nearest to Earth in 17 years. Also included in this program are views of the planets Jupiter and Saturn, far-flung Neptune, and the dwarf planet Pluto, 3.2 billion miles away at the time.
Jupiter & Saturn Conjunction 2020 (Archived from December 21, 2020) Hosts: Kevin Mace, Frank Cianciolo, and Stephen Hummel This program featured live views and discussion about the close conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21, 2020.
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McDonald Observatory Live Streaming Programs

Moon Tours

Hosts:Kevin MaceJudy MeyerSaul Rivera

Deep Sky Tours

Hosts:Stephen HummelKevin MaceSaul Rivera

Solar Tours

Hosts:Joe WheelockJudy MeyerSam Jones

Archived Moon Tours

Archived Deep Sky Tours

Archived Solar Tours

Hosts: Saul Rivera and Judy Meyer, McDonald ObservatoryJohn Compton and Kevin Schindler, Lowell Observatory

Hosts: Saul Rivera, McDonald ObservatoryDr. Steven Janowiecki, Resident Astronomer, Hobby-Eberly Telescope

Host: Saul Rivera, McDonald ObservatoryCo-Hosts: Dr. Jim Fowler, Dr. Steven Janowiecki, Herman Kriel

Hosts: Saul Rivera and Joseph Wheelock at the McDonald Observatory

Live Total Lunar Eclipse (Archived from Sunday, May 15, 2022)

Hosts: Saul Rivera and Joseph Wheelock at the McDonald Observatory

Hosts: Joseph Wheelock, Saul Rivera, and Stephen Hummel at the McDonald Observatory

Hosts: Judy Meyer, Martinique Pautzke, and Saul Rivera at the McDonald Observatory

Hosts: Judy Meyer, Martinique Pautzke, and Joe Wheelock at the McDonald Observatory

Hosts: Stephen Hummel and Saul Rivera at the McDonald Observatorywith Dr. Anita Cochran, Assistant Director, McDonald Observatory

Hosts: Kevin Mace and Martinique Pautzke

Hosts: Martinique Pautzke and Saul Rivera

Hosts: Stephen Hummel and Martinique Pautzke

Hosts: Kevin Mace, Frank Cianciolo, and Stephen Hummel

This program featured live views and discussion about the close conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on December 21, 2020.

Hosts:
Kevin Mace
Judy Meyer
Saul Rivera

Hosts:
Stephen Hummel
Kevin Mace
Saul Rivera

Hosts:
Joe Wheelock
Judy Meyer
Sam Jones

Hosts: Saul Rivera and Judy Meyer, McDonald Observatory
John Compton and Kevin Schindler, Lowell Observatory

Hosts: Saul Rivera, McDonald Observatory
Dr. Steven Janowiecki, Resident Astronomer, Hobby-Eberly Telescope

Host: Saul Rivera, McDonald Observatory
Co-Hosts: Dr. Jim Fowler, Dr. Steven Janowiecki, Herman Kriel

Hosts: Stephen Hummel and Saul Rivera at the McDonald Observatory
with Dr. Anita Cochran, Assistant Director, McDonald Observatory