McDonald Observatory operates 4 research telescopes at its facility in w. Texas. The 2.7m, 2.1m and 0.8m telescopes are open to any professional astronomers by accepted proposal. Details on these telescopes can be found under the "Research Facilities" link. Information for proposing for telescope time may be found under the "Observer tools' link. The 0.9m telescope is generally used for student groups and public outreach. The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is only open to PIs at the four partner institutions, of which UT Austin is the managing institution.

Other telescopes under research facilities are operated by their respective organizations. The web sites for these organizations are linked under the Research Facilities link.

Observer tools includes useful information for observers including the telescope schedules, information on proposing, policies and a link to web sites at the Observatory.