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April 2024 by NewOrleans Food Lover
I have been through the observatory before, so I know it's interesting... But that was 20 years ago. It's really changed. I did not think there was an entry fee. But that did not matter because they are not open Sundays or Mondays. On our way to El Paso, we swung by on a Sunday. There was no one around and everything was closed. We drove up, walked around the observatories and enjoyed the views. Maybe next time we will go to a star party.
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March 2024 by Loz
We attended a "Star Party" at the beginning of March and had a wonderful time. The presentation at the start was really informative and it was amazing to see the stars up close through the set up telescopes afterwards. We were originally scheduled on a cloudy night and it was really easy to reschedule. I also noted in our ticket purchase that a member of our party was going to be on crutches and they reached out before the event to let me know they had wheelchairs available and to ask for one at check in. That was so helpful!
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March 2024 by Linda Hardy
Star Party 3/5/24.Be sure you purchase your tickets in advance otherwise, you likely will not get in. The Store in the Visitor Center is great. There is something for everyone of any age.The place was packed on this Tuesday night so we opted for the Constellation section of the party. Rachel was the presenter & was excellent. She was knowledgable & entertaining. I’m glad we opted for the Constellation section because when it was over there were still long lines at all of the telescopes.If you go on a cool day/evening, take a pillow or blanket to sit on as the concrete benches are really cold on your back side.
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March 2024 by Mark Presson
I don't know I was never there but Google asked me to do a review.
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March 2024 by Uncle Boris
Painfully bad. I understand the weather cannot be controlled, but having "alternate programs" that consist of a "virtual sky" (something I can Google), and a "Keep the Sky Dark" program (turn your lights off). Plus, forcing those of us who booked tickets to drive up the mountain just to get our money back is bad business. Especially when the weather forecast was clearly showing overcast skies, which is bad for viewing. Why not allow digital refunds? Driving all the way up there to be told, "So the weather is not that good," when the forecast SAID it would be is silly. Clearly a money scheme. I am disappointed because I drove 700 miles for the experience, just to be given alternatives I can experience on my VR headset and my own telescope. I will not be back.
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February 2024 by Ryan D
The star party was super cool. You get to look through 5 high-power telescopes depending on what stars are best for viewing at the time. We saw Venus and four moons, Saturn and its rings, the Orion Nebula and, what ended up being kind of the best, a super sharp close up of the moon! Obviously you can see better pictures online, but there is something about seeing it with your own eye. Definitely worth the $25
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December 2023 by Frankie Hinds
We took the day tour of the 2 larger telescopes today and the tour was phenomenal! Shannon did an amazing job of explaining everything and answering questions. He is very knowledgeable of it all and it was a true learning experience.
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December 2023 by Ann Boehm
The night sky presentation at The McDonald observatory is remarkable and well worth the price of admission. The Frank Bash visitors center is remarkable too. We went on a tour of the Observatory on Saturday afternoon and were wowed by the amount of information that we learned, listened too and saw. This is a tour that everyone should make the commitment to go too. It may be a long drive but it is well worth it!
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December 2023 by Tiffiny Costello
I attended a star party and enjoyed the heck out of myself. Mind the javelinas...they're cute but they don't think you are.The person who led the star party was so knowledgeable, kind to the kiddos asking questions, and made the evening one to remember.Being able to try out the different telescopes was so neat. I saw Saturn and Jupiter for the first time with my own eyes - core memory for sure!I want to go back for a solar viewing, but I'm also a physics student so I want to go back for lots of reasons. ;)
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December 2023 by Manuel “Manny”
The Sky is the Limit here!! I had this observatory on my Bucket List for decades. Every time I drove through the Van Horn area, I knew the McDonald Observatory was close by. I finally made made it here. I was amazed at the technology that has been invested by UT Austin. I knew the McDonald Observatory was famous for its MONSTER TELESCOPES, but I didn't know the history behind this science tech center. It is has some of the most advanced telescopes in the WORLD. The Frank N. Bush Visitors Center is really great. It has great information on the Celestial Skies and the historical development of the McDonald Observatory. If you are a scientifically curious person, this place is a must. I attended the STAR PARTY presentation at 7 pm. It was pretty good. While it appeared the cloudy skies was to ruin my evening visit, the skies cleared up by 8 pm and participants were able to see Jupiter, Saturn, and a two-star constellation first hand! I will say that they need to improve on their day tour. I wish they provided a little more access to the inner workings of the magnificent telescopes. Hope you make the visit yourself! :-)
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December 2023 by Vijay devara
I am feeling so bad that I didn’t know about this place before. I wanted to go to a state park near by and got to know about this amazing place I still went there to try if I can get in for night time viewing program but unfortunately couldn’t get through because of I didn’t had appointment. But I am surely adding this in my to do list for sure I am going to come back.Make sure to book an appointment.
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November 2023 by Nick D
The Observatory is such a cool place, we love the star parties. Unfortunately the last one we went too was rained out. The team did an awesome job of spinning up back up presentations and programs to make up for it. The drive up is beautiful, stop at the picnic stop half way up and enjoy the view. Slow and steady on the way down after dark. We are planning another trip real soon.
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September 2023 by Auda Gee
We attended a Star Party.Buy tickets in advance as they sell out.Indoor exhibit was nice.Great facilities.Go all the way to the top if you can for a self-guided tour.Very educational.Can see wildlife, too - javelina and deer.
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August 2023 by Allen McQuhae
Enjoyed our July 25th star gazing party. We were hoping to see more of the Milky Way but the moon was out. However, we were able to see the moon up close, really close! Thanks to the staff for their amazing knowledge.
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July 2023 by Dave
Went to the star party with the family and really enjoyed ourselves. The host was very informative and all the staff were happy to answer any questions anybody had. We got to see some amazing stellar bodies and gained a greater appreciation for the universe we live in. I highly recommend going here and the drive out there was simply amazing.
