From the McDonald Observatory
THE BIG BEND — In celebration of International Dark Sky Week, locations throughout the Big Bend region will be holding special events from April 22-27 that showcase our famous night skies.
Events will take place at McDonald Observatory and locations around Fort Davis, Alpine, Marfa, and Terlingua. Highlights include Star Parties throughout the region; special talks and tours at McDonald Observatory; a guided nighttime hike at the Fort Davis National Historic Site; constellation journaling at Davis Mountains State Park; and more.
Many, though not all, events are free. Additional information and a full schedule are available on the McDonald Observatory website at mcdonaldobservatory.org/dark-skies-festival.
FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Tuesday, April 22
- 8 p.m. – Special Talk: Dark for the Park Alliance: Collaborating to Improve Lighting in the Permian Basin at McDonald Observatory (event included with purchase of a ticket to the evening’s Star Party)
- 9:15 p.m. – Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25)
Wednesday, April 23
- 9 p.m. – Star Party at the Far Flung Outdoor Center in Terlingua (free)
- 9 p.m. – Star Party at the Ballroom Marfa Stone Circle (directions) (free)
Thursday, April 24
- 12:30 p.m. – Behind the scenes tour of McDonald Observatory’s Hobby-Eberly Telescope ($10)
Friday, April 25
- 11 a.m. – Special Talk: Bugs that Go Bump in the Night at Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
- 12:30 p.m. – Behind the scenes tour of McDonald Observatory’s Hobby-Eberly Telescope ($10)
- 2 p.m. – Constellation Journaling at Davis Mountains State Park (free for campers or day users w/permit – daily entrance fee is $6/adult)
- 2 p.m. – Special Talk: How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch: History of the Universe at Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
- 8 p.m. – Special Talk: Celebration of the Dark: Earth’s Night Sky and Artificial Lighting at McDonald Observatory (event included with purchase of a ticket to the evening’s Star Party)
- 8:30 p.m. – Park After Dark guided night hike at the Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
- 9 p.m. – Miles of Stars Star Party at Davis Mountains State Park (free for campers or day users w/permit – daily entrance fee is $6/adult)
- 9:15 p.m. – Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25)
Saturday, April 26
- 9 a.m.-noon – Outreach Activities at the Alpine Farmers Market (free)
- 11 a.m. – Special Talk: Bugs that Go Bump in the Night at Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
- 2 p.m. – Astrophotography Talk: Empowering Wounded Veterans to Heal Through Photography at the Alpine Public Library (free)
- 2 p.m. – Special Talk: How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch: History of the Universe at Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
- 4 p.m. – Astrophotography Talk: Empowering Wounded Veterans to Heal Through Photography at McDonald Observatory (free)
- 8 p.m. – Special Talk: How COMPASSE Helps Preserve Dark and Radio-Quiet Skies at McDonald Observatory (event included with purchase of a ticket to the evening’s Star Party at McDonald Observatory)
- 9 p.m. – Star Party at Kokernot Park Soccer Field in Alpine (free)
- 9:15 p.m. – Star Party at McDonald Observatory ($5-25)
Sunday, April 27
- 11 a.m. – Special Talk: Bugs that Go Bump in the Night at Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
- 2 p.m. – Special Talk: How to Make an Apple Pie from Scratch: History of the Universe at Fort Davis National Historic Site (free for visitors with site entry passes)
Free events at McDonald Observatory
Visitors to the Observatory receive free general admission all week, Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Discount code DarkSky will extend this offer to online purchases.
Residents of Brewster, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Hudspeth, Pecos, Reeves and Presidio counties get free McDonald Observatory Star Party passes using discount code Local25 at checkout.
Events at McDonald Observatory are in addition to its regular public programming.
What makes our dark skies so special?
Through the support of local governments, businesses, and property owners, the Big Bend region features some of the darkest night skies in the continental United States. An important driver of this accomplishment is the widespread adoption of nighttime lighting that keeps light on the ground and out of the sky.
To recognize and protect the exceptional quality of our night skies, the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve was established in 2022. It covers over 15,000 square miles, making it the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world.