Tag Archives: McDonald Observatory
Plan for Big Bend “Dark Sky Reserve” Takes Crucial Step Forward With Presidio County Vote
Astronomers and community organizers have been pushing officials in Far West Texas to adopt stricter rules on outdoor lighting, part of a broader effort to establish an international dark sky “reserve.”
West Texas Observatory Shoots For The Stars To Preserve Dark Skies
Officials with McDonald Observatory are working to make Far West Texas and parts of Northern Mexico an International Dark Sky Reserve. They hope the special designation will help preserve the region’s dark skies and support ongoing research at the observatory
After 5 Months, McDonald Observatory To Partially Reopen To The Public
By Carlos Morales After closing for nearly five months out of precaution over the coronavirus, the McDonald Observatory is now set to reopen “in a limited fashion.” Beginning Friday, the research hub will once again welcome visitors to its campus … Continue reading
Upgraded Hobby-Eberly Telescope Turns Its Lens to Universe’s Biggest Mysteries
When McDonald Observatory first opened its doors in 1933 it was done with a nearly million dollar donation from a Paris, Texas banker. In his will, W.J.McDonald gave money to the University of Texas at Austin to establish the observatory. … Continue reading
Young, large, and in fast orbit: Texas Astronomers find New Exoplanet
This week Texas astronomers announced their discovery of a giant new exoplanet, which orbits close to its star. It’s a young planet: only 11 million years old. And it’s a large planet: 5 times the size of the Earth. What’s … Continue reading
Texas Astronomers Witness Impact of Supernova on Neighboring Star
Texas astronomers announced another discovery this week. A team at the University of Texas at Austin witnessed the impact of an exploding star on a neighboring star. A white dwarf is a dense, low-mass star, in the late stages of … Continue reading
Discovery of New Planet at McDonald Observatory in West Texas
The McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis announced Wednesday the discovery of a new planet. It’s located in the Hyadesstar cluster. The planet is K2-25B. The lead astronomer with the discovery is Andrew Mann. It’s a warm afternoon on top of … Continue reading
Texas Astronomer Solves Decades-Old Mystery About Aging Stars
New research led by Texas Astronomer Dr. Natalie Gosnell, is shedding light on a longstanding mystery about certain stars called “blue stragglers” – stars that appear bluer in color and hotter than they should be given their advanced age. Gosnell, a W. … Continue reading
Kepler Space Telescope Discovers Most Earth-like Planet To Date
Big news this morning from NASA’s planet hunting mission. Dr. Mike Endl, a research scientist with The University of Texas at Austin’s McDonald Observatory, spoke with the Texas Standard about the mission. Listen back to our episode of West Texas Talk with Dr. Endl … Continue reading
For Astronomers’ Sake, Some Drillers Cut Their Lights
FORT DAVIS — As a cool breeze blew across the 6,800-foot mountain that Coyne Gibson stood on, he gazed at a night sky dotted with constellations, planets and meteors — all visible to the naked eye, thanks to the surrounding … Continue reading