Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation - View Single Post

dwalsdorf · 06-10-2005, 10:22 AM

Kayaker:

I second the McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, the available toys are AMAZING. The night parties they have there give a person access to much more "tele" than you can buy at the local telescope "store" or carry around in the van. The folks that work there are all astro-geeks, and their excitement about what they do is wonderful. Not to mention their knowledge of just about ANY question that the visitors lob at them. Por ejemplo, I never knew that "one" of the stars in Orion's belt was actually TWO stars--and they had the gear to show it to you.

Be warned, however, I have heard that when there is an astronomical event, McDonald gets full. There is a limit to the number of folks that can attend the parties. But if the night sky (or event) is a big interest to you, I would think it would make a great drive across the State to go play there. Besides, there's lots of other fun stuff 'round there during the daytime--i.e., Big B. is an easy day trip. The lodging is a hoot also.

06-10-2005, 10:22 AM	#7
dwalsdorf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 75	Re: stargazing locations in Texas. Kayaker: I second the McDonald Observatory in Ft. Davis. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, the available toys are AMAZING. The night parties they have there give a person access to much more "tele" than you can buy at the local telescope "store" or carry around in the van. The folks that work there are all astro-geeks, and their excitement about what they do is wonderful. Not to mention their knowledge of just about ANY question that the visitors lob at them. Por ejemplo, I never knew that "one" of the stars in Orion's belt was actually TWO stars--and they had the gear to show it to you. Be warned, however, I have heard that when there is an astronomical event, McDonald gets full. There is a limit to the number of folks that can attend the parties. But if the night sky (or event) is a big interest to you, I would think it would make a great drive across the State to go play there. Besides, there's lots of other fun stuff 'round there during the daytime--i.e., Big B. is an easy day trip. The lodging is a hoot also. __________________ In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell...it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort. :asleep: