McDonald Observatory is set to host an array of special activities for Dark Sky Week from May 7-11, 2024. The observatory’s packed schedule includes telescope tours, science lectures, and night-time star parties, designed to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies.
Residents of Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, Pecos, Reeves, and Presidio counties can enjoy free passes for these events using the discount code BigBendSky during checkout. The week kicks off with a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the world, on May 7 at 12:30 p.m., followed by a “Dark Skies Talk” by Ryan Cantrell, a program specialist at the McDonald Observatory Visitor Center.
The observatory will also hold two parts of an Astrophotography Workshop on May 8 and 9 at 9:00 p.m., teaching attendees how to capture the night sky through their lenses. The educational talks continue with presentations from experts like Kaylee French from the Nature Conservancy and Catherine Manea, a PhD student at the University of Texas at Austin, who will discuss the intersection of dark skies and various scientific disciplines.
The week’s activities are not just about observation; they’re also educational. The “Dark Skies for the Big Bend” talk on May 11 at 4:00 p.m. by Stephen Hummel, McDonald Observatory Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator, aims to educate the public about the efforts to preserve the night skies over the observatory and the broader region.
The week concludes on May 11 with a variety of activities including a storytime session for children with author Amy Jackson and a tour of the historic 82-inch Otto Struve telescope. The day caps off with a free documentary film screening, “The Stars at Night,” and a final star party at 9:30 p.m.
This annual event aligns with broader efforts led by the International Dark-Sky Association, which hosted its own Dark Sky Week earlier in April to highlight the adverse effects of light pollution. The McDonald Observatory, with support from Apache Corporation, also emphasizes local involvement and education through the Preserving Dark Skies exhibit at their Frank N. Bash Visitors Center.
For more details on the event and how you can participate in protecting our night skies, visit the McDonald Observatory’s official website.
Image Credit: McDonald Observatory
