Summer Fun in Houston -- The George Observatory -- Part 1

Bob Sees Stars -- The George Observatory -- Part 1

Here is a map of the park.  There are lots of hiking trails, picnic areas, camping and fishing to be had. For more park information click here.   BEWARE of the alligators.  Saturday nights the public can look through the telescopes in the observatories.

Last night I went to the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park.  I was excited because my brother Bob was operating the 18" telescope there.  There was also a private party of about 45 people there.

The dome my brother operated last night is the smalller dome on the right hand side.  The large one on the left has a 3' diameter mirror.  I went in that dome as well.  The amazing thing about that one is that the floor is on an elevator that brings you up to the eyepiece. 

Here is my brother Bob walking into his dome.  He was the only operator of this telescope last night, so he got to look at what ever space objects he chose.  The viewings started at around 8:30pm and we ended up looking through the telescope until about 10:45pm.

Here is Bob at one end of the 18" telescope.  The 18" refers to the diameter of the mirror in the telescope. 

Here is Bob doing prep work on the telescope.  He adjusts the telescope and then spins the dome around to see the slice of sky he wants.  We saw Venus, Saturn, M13 and a few nebulas.  One of them was the Whirlpool nebula.

There are many astronomical societies that run the telescopes here.  Here is one of the seals from the Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society, along with their website of www.jscas.net.

I have never heard of this one, the Astronomical Society of South East Texas, and their website of asset-astronomer.org.

I passed these deer while I was in the park on the way to the observatory.  What a great night.  I suggest wearing cool clothing in the summer and also bring a flashlight.  See part 2 for more pictures.