Texas Field Station Network

The University of Texas at Austin Texas Field Station Network represents a collection of sites spread across the State that are used by the University for scientific research. Located in the Davis Mountains near Fort Davis, McDonald Observatory sits atop 650 acres of predominately undisturbed land in the Chihuahuan Desert. This is considered the most diverse in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most diverse arid regions in the world.

Some field research project highlights include:

Measurements of Earth’s evolving gravitational field, including shift in underground water, conducted by UT Austin’s Center for Space Research.
Operation Ponderosa, a collaboration with Texas A&M Forest Service to restore vanishing Ponderosa Pines, battered by drought, wildfires, and invasive beetles.
A study of drought impacts on cacti, led by a UT Arlington graduate student.
Discovery of a rare firefly species never seen before, found at the Observatory by a staff member.

McDonald Observatory is world class astronomical research and public outreach facility that operates on a 24-hour 365-day basis. Our research is conducted primarily, but not exclusively, at night.

McDonald Observatory also serves as one of two core areas for the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve. This is the world’s largest dark sky reserve and the only one to cross an international boarder. The reserve functions to protect the dark skies of the region, which are critical to our research but also benefit tourism, natural eco-systems, and human health in the region.

Non-astronomical research visitors to the Observatory shall conduct themselves and their research in such a manner as to minimize disruption to our primary research efforts. It is expected that such persons are affiliated with (directly or via collaboration) The University of Texas at Austin.