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Star Party 2015: McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory - what trip out to the Davis Mountains would be complete without a visit to the observatory?  The tour start with a viewing of the sun view their indoor conference room and a solar telescope.  This year, we were able to view a small flare LIVE!!!  Very cool!

This year marked the first time C was interested in the tour and that N could enjoy the discovery area!

 
 


 "Hey Z, does moving while holding the controls make the telescope and the floor move faster?"  Z was allowed to move the floor up and down and the return the telescope and dome to rest position.






A and C were given the opportunity to turn the dome and the telescope into what could be called the starting position for a nights observing.





At this point, the girls are walking on the highest paved road in TX.  Behind them, is the area of the mountains we were staying in.  If the picture were taken from the edge, you could just see the reflections of RV's from Prude Ranch.

The next telescope we visited.  Instead of one mirror, it's composed of many mirrors working together to give the picture of one.  This telescope is being reconfigured to search space for "dark matter".

            
 

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