Life on the Road

John and I both enjoy observing nature in various ways. John is a hiker and backpacker, and he’s most at home among redwood trees. I enjoy looking at stuff– creepy crawlies in the desert, deer wandering past our campsite, the thousand ways a prickly pear cactus can grow, the stars circling above us. We’re also keenly aware that, while we can enjoy a good deal of this on our own, having a skilled guide is invaluable for really getting to know the world around us.

Last night, we had an excellent opportunity for star-gazing as we move north from Big Bend towards Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell, New Mexico.  Not far from Big Bend is Fort Davis, Texas, home of the McDonald Observatory (which produces the StarDate magazine and popular radio show/podcast) and one of the largest optical telescopes in the world. On Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the observatory hosts “Star Parties,” where visitors are treated to some guided stargazing, both with the naked eye, and through the smaller telescopes. Star Party start times vary by season: right now, they start at 7:30 PM, after the sun has fully set.

90 minutes before the Star Party, however, is the Twilight Program, which can vary seasonally. Last night was an excellent introduction to using a planisphere (commonly known as a star map). This was an excellent program to attend, because, frankly, I’ve tried to use a planisphere before and failed utterly, despite having taken Astronomy as my high school science course.

It turns out to be simpler than I’d thought. The Twilight Program admission cost of $6 (also variable based on the program) is well worth it, particularly since you get a red flashlight to keep– red light doesn’t ruin night vision, so it’s an essential tool for stargazers trying to work from charts or maps. It’s so important, in fact, that the lighting on the observatory grounds is made up of red-hued lights.

Our whole evening was well lit by the nearly full moon last night, which caused a great deal of natural light pollution. Dimmer stars were not visible, of course, but we were still able to see a great deal, including a phenomenal view of the moon through a telescope.

During the Twilight Program, however, the clouds began to roll in, and the first half of the Star Party was spent in an indoor program learning about spectroscopy and how astronomers use it to analyze stars and other celestial bodies.

At about 8:00 or 8:30, the clouds had cleared somewhat and we moved outside for the stargazing. Over the next hour or so, the clouds gradually cleared and we were able to view a ring nebula, the two star clusters in Perseus, the binary star system of Polaris (the North Star), a star cluster made up of about a billion stars, Jupiter and 3 or 4 of its moons, and our own Moon. Because it was 1 day before being full, the top edge of the moon was not fully illuminated, and we could see the typical moon features, but also the ridges and shadows formed by the craters that texture the moon. Fascinating!

We returned to the RV very excited to have been able to enjoy this experience.

The area around the observatory is clear, rolling hills, untroubled by much development, so light pollution is a minimum. However, it’s important to dress warmly. The observatory is on a hill, and it can be quite chilly. Last night we stayed 14 miles away and at lower elevation, and the overnight low was 34 degrees Fahrenheit.

McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory Visitors Center
HC 75, Box 1337-VC
Fort Davis, TX 79734

Phone: 877-984-7827

On Highway 118: 17 miles north of Ft. Davis, Texas, or 39 miles south of Kent, Texas.

Admission:

Daytime programs: $8 adults, $7 kids (6-12), with tours starting at 11 and 2.
Self-guided tour of Hobby-Eberly telescope (362″ telescope): Free, 10-5.
Star Party: $10 adults, $8 kids, start times vary; 7:30 PM November to March.
Twilight Program: $6 adults and kids, varies seasonally.  Starts 90 minutes before Star Party.

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