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McDonald Observatory

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

News from the observatory and StarDate.

Now on StarDate Radio

See what's on the air in August or get more information on the program here.

Coming Up in

StarDate Magazine

Our September/October issue explores how magnetic fields influence star formation. We also celebrate the bicentennial of the birth of Leon Foucault, the French physicist whose pendulum demonstrated Earth's rotation. Subscribe today!

Support Discovery

When you become a member of the Friends of McDonald Observatory, you are strengthening science education today and for future generations. Join us!

August 2019

Skywatching in August

A pair of prominent constellations heralds the short, hot nights of summer: Scorpius and Sagittarius. By the middle of August, the scorpion stands due south as night falls. Under an even modestly dark sky, you should easily make out its curving body, punctuated by the hook-shaped stinger just above the horizon. Sagittarius follows Scorpius across the sky. Its brightest stars form the outline of a teapot. Under a dark sky, "steam" appears to rise from the spout — the hazy band of the Milky Way, outlining the disk of our galactic home.

News from the Observatory

The New Voice of StarDate

Billy Henry, an Austin-based voice talent, musician, composer and college lecturer is the new voice of StarDate Radio. He is the third narrator in the program's 41-year history. Henry took over from Sandy Wood on July 17.

McDonald Observatory Will Promote Dark Skies Awareness with Gift from Apache Corporation

A $257,000 gift from Apache Corporation will fund the observatory's ongoing efforts to preserve the dark West Texas skies that make research possible and provide unsurpassed views of the universe to visitors. Read more

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

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See what's on the air in September or get more information on the program here.

This Month in

StarDate Magazine

Skywatching Adventures

for Less!

Even though the year is more than half over, there are still many nights to spend under starry skies. Our 2019 Sky Almanac brings you all the information you need to enjoy them. And now we've reduced the price so you don't have to pay for the whole year! Buy now.

September 2019

Skywatching in September

Some of the big constellations of autumn begin to push their way into the evening sky this month. Pegasus, the flying horse, is well up in the east at nightfall by month's end, with Andromeda, the princess, to its left. Under especially dark skies, you should be able to pick out M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. The planet Jupiter is ending its run in the evening sky, and will disappear in the Sun's glare next month. Another giant planet, Neptune, is at its best for the year, although still too faint to see with the eye alone.

News from the Observatory

Newly Discovered Planet Slingshots Around its Star

Astronomers with the McDonald Observatory Planet Search, including Mike Endl, Bill Cochran, and Phillip MacQueen, have discovered a planet three times the mass of Jupiter that travels on a long, egg-shaped path around its star. If this planet somehow were placed in our own solar system, it would swing from within our asteroid belt to out beyond Neptune.

A Rare Look at a Rocky Exoplanet's Surface

A new study by UT Austin's Caroline Morley and others using NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope provides a rare glimpse of conditions on the surface of a rocky planet orbiting a star beyond the Sun. Read more

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

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See what's on the air in October or get more information on the program here.

Coming Up in

StarDate Magazine

Our November/December issue, we bring you an update on astronomers' hopes to send probes to the Alpha Centauri star system. We'll also fill you in on some telescopes that could be built on the Moon. Subscribe today!

Support Discovery

When you become a member of the Friends of McDonald Observatory, you are strengthening science education today and for future generations. Join us!

October 2019

Skywatching in October

October is an ideal month for stargazing. The Sun is setting earlier so you don't have to wait as long to head outdoors, yet, for much of the country, nighttime temperatures are still pleasant. The provides great conditions for watching Pegasus, the flying horse, soar high across the sky, or to pick out the subtle glow of M31. Jupiter and Saturn remain in view in the western evening sky, while Mars just peeks into view in the morning sky by month's end.

News from the Observatory

New Video Showcases McDonald Observatory

Texas Co-Op Power magazine visited us recently and created a 4-minute video, 'Exploring West Texas Skies,' highlighting both the visitor experience and research at our site.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

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See what's on the air in November or get more information on the program here.

This Month in

StarDate Magazine

In our November/December issue, we bring you an update on astronomers' hopes to send probes to the Alpha Centauri star system. We'll also fill you in on some telescopes that could be built on the Moon. Subscribe today!

From the Gift Shop

McDonald Observatory's 18-ounce See America coffee mug features artwork created for the See America Project by Aaron Bates. It depicts the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope in a dark sky with the Milky Way. $15.95 Buy now.

November 2019

Skywatching in November

November is a time of transition in the night sky. The signature star pattern of summer, the Summer Triangle, drops down the western sky during the evening, while some of the leading constellations of winter, including Orion and Canis Major, creep into view by mid- to late-evening. The zone between them is noticeably devoid of bright stars and constellations. It is dominated by the "celestial sea," a collection of faint star patterns with a watery theme that stretches from Capricornus, the sea goat, to Cetus, the sea monster. Lonely Fomalhaut, in Pisces Austrinus, the southern fish, is the only bright spot in this stretch of stars.

News from the Observatory

New Telescope Dedicated

at McDonald Observatory

A new telescope was dedicated recently at McDonald Observatory. The 1-meter telescope, funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation, is part of the Los Cumbres Observatory (LCO) global network of robotic telescopes. It is the second LCO telescope of this size at McDonald. The telescopes provide additional science resources to the faculty, research scientists, and graduate students of the UT Austin astronomy program.

GMT Signs Contract for Telescope Structure

GMTO Corporation, the organization managing the development of the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) on behalf of its U.S. and international founders, has signed a $135 million contract with MT Mechatronics and Ingersoll Machine Tools to design, build, and install the telescope's precision steel structure. UT Austin is a founding partner of the GMT. Read more

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

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See what's on the air in December or get more information on the program here.

Coming Up in

StarDate Magazine

Our next issue is the 2020 Sky Almanac. We'll bring you a year's worth of skywatching tips, skymaps, anniversaries in astronomy and spaceflight, and more. Subscribe today!

From the Gift Shop

The 2020 Deep Space Mysteries Calendar is filled with dramatic images of nebulae, spiral galaxies, planets, star-forming regions, and other mysteries of deep space. Each month details planet visibility, meteor showers, conjunctions, and other observing opportunities, as well as Moon phases and other astronomical events. Buy now!

December 2019

Skywatching in December

December stargazing is always a bit confusing. The nights in the northern hemisphere are the longest of the year, providing 14 hours of darkness or more for most of the United States. On the other hand, the nights are among the coldest of the year, so viewing conditions aren't always pleasant. You don't have to spend hours under the stars, though, to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. Bundle up, take a warm beverage, and give your eyes a few minutes to adapt to the darkness. After that, in 15 minutes you can take in the entire sky, and even use binoculars to scan for galaxies, distant star clusters, nebulae, and other wonders.

News from the Observatory

Dark Skies Initiative

In recent years, the increase of oil- and gas-related activities in and around the Permian Basin has resulted in a threat to the observatory's historically dark skies. Fortunately, dark-sky friendly lighting practices both help preserve the night sky and provide better visibility for the oil and gas industry. Photo: HET with light pollution on horizon (Joe Hanson/PBS)

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

News from the observatory and StarDate.

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See what's on the air in February or get more information on the program here.

Coming Up in

StarDate Magazine

Our March/April issue delves into the mystery of the cosmic web, a structure of gas filaments underpinning the universe, along which galaxies are strung like beads on a string. We also bring you tips for spring skywatching, the latest astronomy news, and much more. Subscribe today!

Teacher Workshops

We are accepting final applications for 3-day, 2-night workshops under the dark night skies of West Texas! Take a universe of activities back to your K-12 classroom. Deadline: February 7. Apply now!

February 2020

Skywatching in February

Venus, the dazzling Evening Star, commands the evening sky this month. It rises almost straight up from the horizon, so it stands fairly high as darkness falls. Mars is beginning its climb across the morning sky, so it gets brighter and stands higher as the month progresses. It's trailed by Jupiter, the brightest star-like object in the sky other than Venus. Among the stars, bright Capella shines high overhead during mid-evening. The brightest light of Auriga, the charioteer, it shines yellow-orange. Read more

News from the Observatory

TESS' First Earth-Sized, Habitable-Zone World

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered its first Earth-sized planet in its star's habitable zone, where conditions may allow the presence of liquid water on the surface. A team of scientists including UT-Austin's Andrew Vanderburg confirmed the find and have modeled the planet's potential environments to help inform future observations.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

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See what's on the air in January or get more information on the program here.

This Month in

StarDate Magazine

Our January/February issue brings you the Sky Almanac 2020! The 32-page issue brings you a year's worth of skywatching tips, skymaps, anniversaries in astronomy and spaceflight, and more.

Subscribe today!

Support Discovery

When you become a member of the Friends of McDonald Observatory, you are strengthening science education today and for future generations. Join us!

January 2020

Skywatching in January

Venus begins the year as the Evening Star, the brightest object in the night sky other than the Moon, standing well up in the west as night falls. The next-brightest object, the planet Jupiter, climbs into view in the eastern dawn sky during the month, and is in good view by month's end. Mars is pulling away from the Sun as well, teaming up with the similarly colored star Antares in the early morning sky. Read more

News from the Observatory

Twin Astronomer Probes 'DNA' of Twin Stars

Twin stars appear to share chemical 'DNA' that could help scientists map the history of the Milky Way galaxy, according to new research by astronomer Keith Hawkins of The University of Texas at Austin accepted for publication in The Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

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StarDate production continues via remote recording sessions! See what''s on the air in September or learn about the program here.

This Month in

StarDate Magazine

The International Space Station hosts several telescopes and other instruments for studying the universe, and in our September/October issue, we fill you in on the details. Subscribe today!

Livestreams Continue

Due to their popular success, our YouTube livestream programs will continue now that we have reopened for on-site programs. Be sure to watch our website and social media for times and dates!

September 2020

Skywatching in September

The Celestial Sea wheels into the east and southeast during September evenings. This group of constellations all relate to water. Capricornus, the sea goat; Aquarius, the water bearer; Piscis Austrinus, the southern fish; and Pisces, the fishes are in view as darkness falls. Cetus, the sea monster, and Eridanus, the river, follow behind them. They may share an aquatic theme because autumn was a rainy season in the ancient Mediterranean, where the constellations were named.

News from the Observatory

Observatory Reopened to the Public August 28

McDonald Observatory reopened to the public, in a limited fashion, on August 28. Beginning with a star party that night, the observatory''s Frank N. Bash Visitors Center began holding public programs again. Reservations required.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

News from the observatory and StarDate.

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See what''s on the air in December or get more information on the program here.

Coming Up in

StarDate Magazine

We''ll set you up for an entire year with our 2021 Sky Almanac. It lets you know when to look for meteor showers, eclipses, close encounters, and many other beautiful events. And it highlights some of the most intriguing stars around — some alive, some dead. Subscribe today!

Tonight! (Dec. 2)

Deep Sky Tour Livestream

Join Stephen Hummel and Saul Rivera live on YouTube for a tour of the Milky Way and the Local Group of galaxies. Moderators will answer questions via chat. Get details, plus access archived progams at our website.

December 2020

Skywatching in December

As fall gives way to winter, some of the most spectacular stars and constellations in the night sky wheel into prime viewing hours. Orion the hunter is in view for most of the night as the month begins, and all night as it ends. A rectangle of four bright stars outlines his body, with his three-star belt at the rectangle''s center. The belt points toward Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Other bright stars include the twins of Gemini, yellow-orange Capella high overhead, and the V-shaped face and orange eye of Taurus. Read more

News from the Observatory

HETDEX Project on Track to Probe Dark Energy

Three years into its quest to reveal the nature of dark energy, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment is on track to complete the largest map of the cosmos ever. The team will create a three-dimensional map of 2.5 million galaxies that will help astronomers understand how and why the expansion of the universe is speeding up over time.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

News from the observatory and StarDate.

Now on StarDate Radio

StarDate production continues via remote recording sessions! See what''s on the air in August or learn about the program here.

Coming Up in

StarDate Magazine

The International Space Station hosts several telescopes and other instruments for studying the universe, and in our September/October issue, we''ll fill you in on the details. Subscribe today!

Livestream Programs

Keep an eye on our social media and website for the latest on our popular livestream programs! Did you miss one? They are all archived on our YouTube channel and our website.

August 2020

Skywatching in August

August nights are the province of two prominent constellations and an asterism. The constellations are Sagittarius and Scorpius; the asterism is the Summer Triangle. The brightest stars of Sagittarius form a teapot, with the Milky Way billowing as "steam" above the spout. Hook-shaped Scorpius really resembles its namesake, the scorpion. The Summer Triangle consists of three stars — Vega, Altair, and Deneb — that form a pattern that''s not a constellation. Such a pattern is known as an asterism.

News from the Observatory

Unlocking the Secrets of Solar System Formation

Stella Offner has proposed a new method for the formation of aluminum-26 in star systems that are forming planets. Its radioactive decay is thought to provide a heat source for the building blocks of planets, called planetesimals.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

News from the observatory and StarDate.

Now on StarDate Radio

See what''s on the air in March or get more information on the program here.

This Month in

StarDate Magazine

We delve into the mystery of the cosmic web, a structure of gas filaments underpinning the universe, along which galaxies are strung like beads on a string. Subscribe today!

Support Discovery

When you become a member of the Friends of McDonald Observatory, you are strengthening science education today and for future generations. You also receive great member benefits. Join us!

March 2020

Skywatching in March

Mars slides past two of its planetary siblings in the early morning this month. The Red Planet passes Jupiter on the morning of the 20th, and Saturn on the 31st. The Moon joins the trio shortly after mid-month. As that plays out in the dawn sky, Regulus, one of the astronomical symbols of spring, climbs higher into the evening sky.

News from the Observatory

HPF Validates its First Habitable-Zone Exoplanet

Astronomers have validated their first exoplanet with the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (HPF) instrument on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. About twice the size of Earth and possibly 12 times as massive, the planet could be similar to Neptune, but in miniature.

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McDonald Observatory SkyTips

News from the observatory and StarDate.

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See what''s on the air in July or get more information on the program here.

This Month in

StarDate Magazine

The next wave of Mars explorers is being prepped for their journey. In our July/August issue, we tell you what they''re designed to look for and why space agencies keep dispatching missions to the Red Planet. Subscribe today!

We''ve also updated the digital version of our 2020 Sky Almanac with new skywatching tips, the latest details on upcoming milestones in space, and more. Buy now!

Livestreams and More

The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center continues to offer exciting online content during our closure period. Follow us on social media by clicking on the icons at bottom right, subscribe to our YouTube channel, or visit our livestream webpage for our latest live viewing events, Staff Spotlights, and more!

July 2020

Skywatching in July

While the Summer Triangle and the other signature star patterns of the season continue their climb across the night sky, the solar system''s giants stage a dazzling show. Both are at opposition, so they shine at their brightest for the year. Mars shines brightly, too, while Venus dazzles as the Morning Star.

News from the Observatory

Young Planet Offers Clues to Formation of Exotic Worlds

Jupiter-size planets orbiting close to their stars have upended ideas about how giant planets form. Finding young planets like this could help answer key questions. Now Aaron Rizzuto has discovered one called HIP 67522 b orbiting a star about 500 light-years from Earth. Read more

New Tricks from Old Data: Confirming Proxima c

Fritz Benedict has used Hubble Space Telescope data he took over two decades ago to confirm the existence of another planet around our Sun''s nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, and to pin down the planet''s orbit and mass. Read more

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