McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory, TX

Sunspot group

About McDonald Observatory

Solar Viewing: Explore the Sun in the Visitors Center Theater (click the picture for more information).


The Solar Viewing Program is a guided tour of the Sun. The presenter will describe the various types of solar activity you may see and provide a live observation of the Sun (potentially viewing sunspots, solar flares and/or prominences). You’ll also learn about the physical characteristics of the Sun and its strong connection to Earth. Observing takes place in the theater, with the image captured by the telescope projected onto the theater screen. In the event of inclement weather, archived images from our telescopes and recent images from space and/or ground telescopes will be shown. This is the only daytime observing program regularly offered at the observatory. The program is approximately 45 minutes.

Pictures

Sunspot group

Sunspot group

Prices

  2020 (1-9 persons) 2020 (10+ persons) 2021 (150 max) Notes
Standard Rates (2020)
(11/11/19 - 5/1/21)
$6.00 $5.50   Standard rates for 2020 through 5/1/21
Standard Rates (2021)
(5/2/21 - 9/1/21)
$6.00 $5.50 $5.00 Standard rates for 2021 (May 2nd - August 31)
Standard Rates (Fall 2021-2024)
(9/1/21 - 12/31/24)
    $5.00 Standard rates for late September 2021 through 2024