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The TCDRS office will be closed Fri., Sept. 18 starting at 2 p.m. for a staff meeting.

Join the Texas Star Party

Texas is home to some of the most out-of-this-world stargazing in the country.

Story and photos by Gerald McLeod, retired TCDRS Communications Manager

Texas offers some of the best stargazing opportunities in the country, from meteor showers and observatories to some of the darkest skies in North America. This summer, retirees looking for a unique outing may find that some of the state's most memorable views appear after sunset.

For the best stargazing you’ll want to select a moonless night at least 30 miles away from large, populated areas. For a calendar of moon phases, go to https://stardate.org/moon-phase-calculator.

Texas state parks offer some of the best views of the night sky. Several parks have partnered with local astronomy groups to provide stargazing events with telescopes and night hikes. For a calendar of stargazing events, go to www.tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/stargazing.

The best stargazing in the state, especially March through October, is in Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve (www.bigbenddarkskyreserve.org/stargazing). The reserve protects over 15,000 square miles of incredibly dark skies in West Texas. It is the world’s largest certified dark sky area.

Some of the best star parties happen at the McDonald Observatory outside of Fort Davis. This is one of the largest research observatories in North America and the public is invited to visit. The University of Texas facility offers tours, daytime events, and evening star parties.

Left: The view from Big Bend Dark Sky Reserve. Right: McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis.

The Houston Museum of Natural History offers Saturday Stargazing through their recently renovated telescopes. The George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park provides the public with views of celestial phenomena through one of the largest telescopes open to the public.

Outside of Burnet in the Hill Country, Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park and Resort opens the aptly named Eye of the Eagle Observatory to guests and visitors. The observatory with a small computer operated telescope opens to the public on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings.

Left: Canyon of the Eagles. Right: George Observatory; Brazos Bend State Park.