Guest Author - Marilyn Crain

If you’re really interested in astronomy or you love to learn about the history of the places you visit, then when traveling in West Texas, take time to check out McDonald Observatory.

Located atop Mt. Locke and Mt. Fowlkes, just outside Ft. Davis, Texas, in the Davis Mountains, McDonald Observatory dedicated its first observatory in 1939. It is now operated by the University of Texas, Austin. And, it has grown into a world-class facility doing exceptional work.

McDonald Observatory has a rich history that visitors can learn about at the Visitor's Center. I have heard stories of climbing the steep road to the original observatory, in a Model-T Ford. Those automobiles sometimes had a problem called vapor lock. In this case, that little problem would cause the vehicle to fly backwards down the mountain, generating a good deal of excitement, before finally stopping safely. Apparently, the observatory was such an unusual sight in those days that even a “near death” experience didn’t deter the hardy carload of visitors from heading back up the mountain and arriving to tour the observatory.

Today, McDonald Observatory has a wonderful outreach program that includes:

--Frank N. Bash Visitor’s Center with daily tours
--Daytime solar viewing programs
--Star parties
--Dinner and a Viewing, which includes a full sit-down dinner, lectures and nighttime viewing
--Special Viewing Nights with the opportunity to stay in the McDonald Observatory’s Astronomers Lodge

Many of the programs are very child-friendly, just check with the Visitor’s Center to see what the exceptions are.

If you decide that you want to spend several hours at the observatory, you’ll probably find yourself in need of some refreshment--a snack or a meal. How about a stop at the StarDate Café? It’s conveniently located right in the Visitor’s Center. You can choose to eat inside the restaurant or outside on the patio, with a backdrop of the mountains and the observatories on them.

According to the McDonald Observatory website, “The Frank N. Bash Visitors Center is open 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (additional hours on Star Party nights) every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.”

Be sure to dress warmly. Even in the summer you may need a sweater or light jacket and in the winter you will definitely want to bring a heavy coat. Remember the observatory is at almost 7,000 ft. elevation and a lot of the activities are out of doors.

Whether you’re an avid amateur astronomer or a casual stargazer, McDonald Observatory is sure to become a favorite West Texas travel destination. It’s a little off the beaten path, but it is a first-rate, highly respected observatory with one of the largest telescopes in the world.