News: Announcements

McDonald Observatory

Northwestern University Joins Giant Magellan Telescope International Consortium

Northwestern researchers will develop and apply cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance the Giant Magellan Telescope’s capabilities.

A map of the world indicating where different partner institutions are located

McDonald Observatory

Pioneering Instrument Returns to McDonald Observatory

The Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS) splits infrared light into more individual wavelengths than a traditional spectrograph.

Illustration of the IGRINS instrument

Announcements

Frontier Fellows Tackle Humanity’s Biggest Question: Where Do We Come From?

The inaugural class of Cosmic Frontier Center postdoctoral fellows will study black holes in early galaxies and the formation of the first stars.

A spiral galaxy

Announcements

Giant Magellan Telescope Begins Primary Mirror Support System Testing

The milestone marks the start of a six-month optical testing phase at the University of Arizona.

A large telescope mirror hovers over a support system prototype for lab tests

Announcements

New Program to Enhance Accessibility in Astronomy Education

Universo Expansivo, a program of the Giant Magellan Telescope, will increase accessibility for students with vision loss through tactile astronomy kits and lesson plans.

Several small models of planets sit on a desk next to a window

Announcements

New AI Institute Led by UT Researchers Will Accelerate Cosmic Discovery

Stella Offner and Arya Farahi are among the leads of a new multi-institution institute focused on AI and astronomy.

Four quadrants of scientific-images come together, with webs showing bright spots for star formation, galaxy clustering, identifications of galaxies that are labeled and a futuristic network.

Announcements

Observatory Remembers Harlan J. Smith on His 100th Birthday

Smith was director of McDonald Observatory from 1963 to 1989 and supported the launch of the StarDate radio program.

Black and white portrait of a man with glasses, white shirt and bolo tie

Announcements

McDonald Observatory Welcomes New Assistant Director for Research Support

B-G Andersson is McDonald Observatory's new assistant director for research support.

Portrait of a man wearing glasses and a dark suit and tie

McDonald Observatory

Bass Foundation Gift Strengthens Outreach at McDonald Observatory

Updates to Field Station Network member McDonald Observatory will be in the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center and improve and expand the visitor experience.

Aerial view of an astronomical observatory set atop a mountain

McDonald Observatory

Giant Magellan Telescope Enclosure Ready for Construction

When completed in the early 2030s, the 213-foot-tall enclosure will be one of the largest mechanized buildings ever constructed.

A telescope dome under a starry sky at night with an open door and telescope visible inside