West Texas 2026 Meeting

Listed in speaking order

Friday, July 10

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Executive Committee Meeting (Astronomers Lodge, Mt. Locke)
Executive committee members only

3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
New Member Orientation (Visitors Center)
New members, nominees, and their sponsors only

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
New Member Tour
New members, nominees, and their sponsors only

5:00 p.m.
Check-In (Visitors Center)

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Reception and Dinner (Fire House)

9:15 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Telescope Viewing on Mt. Locke
See add-on description; ages 8+ welcome

9:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.
Friday Night Star Party (Visitors Center)
See add-on description; all ages welcome

Saturday, July 11

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast and Registration (Fire House)

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Membership Meeting
Marty Heaner, BOV Chair

9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Remarks and Reports

• David Vanden Bout, College of Natural Sciences Dean
• Taft Armandroff, McDonald Observatory Director
• Karl Gebhardt, Astronomy Department Chair

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Science Talks

• Sebastian Gomez, Assistant Professor of Astronomy
• Dustin Davis, Postdoctoral Fellow
• Maya Debski, Astronomy Graduate Student

12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Science Discussion Groups

4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Optional HET Tour or Break

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Reception and Dinner

9:15 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Telescope Viewing on Mt. Locke

General Event Questions
bovmeeting@utlists.utexas.edu

Anna Boxall
Membership Relations, McDonald Observatory
anna.boxall@austin.utexas.edu | 512-471-3303

Elaine Vianello
McDonald Observatory Director’s Office
e.vianello@austin.utexas.edu | 512-471-3303

Pricing

Full Meeting (Friday + Saturday)

• Early Registration (through June 1, 2026): $365
• General Registration (through June 29, 2026): $395
• Late Registration (after June 29, 2026): $495

Friday Only

• Early Registration (through June 1, 2026): $240
• General Registration (through June 29, 2026):$270
• Late Registration (after June 29, 2026): $325

Saturday Only

• Early Registration (through June 1, 2026): $280
• General Registration (through June 29, 2026): $315
• Late Registration (after June 29, 2026): $375

Registration “Add-Ons”

Friday Afternoon New Member Tour
This tour is designed for new members, summer nominees, and their sponsors, and follows the New Member Orientation on Friday afternoon. Veteran members are encouraged to register for the Saturday facility tour instead; however, if space remains, additional spots may be opened.

Friday Night Star Party
Complimentary passes are available for BOV members and their families to attend the public Star Party at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center on Friday evening as an alternative to Mt. Locke telescope viewing. The Star Party is suitable for all ages and most mobility levels.

Note: If you have children or guests who don’t plan to attend meals or the rest of the meeting, you do not need to pay for the full registration. Reach out to bovmeeting@utlists.utexas.edu for assistance.

Saturday Afternoon HET Tour
Following the Science Discussion Groups on Saturday, registered attendees may join a guided tour of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope. Space is limited, so advance selection is requested, and we ask that you notify organizers if your plans change so your spot may be offered to another guest.

Cancellation Policy

The deadline for submitting and/or cancelling your registration is Monday, June 29, 2026. Cancellation requests received by email on or before this date will be refunded, less a $35 administrative charge.

Any cancellation after this date will not be refunded, as we have already made a financial non-refundable commitment on your behalf.

Should there be extenuating circumstances, please email bovmeeting@utlists.utexas.edu.

Milky Way and MGO by BOV member John Wilkins. Captured in July 2019 at McDonald Observatory.

John Wilkins and his wife Lisa are based in Dallas. John originally hails from Oklahoma and has been interested in photography since High School, delving into astrophotography for the past 10 years. This particular image was almost interrupted by the appearance of a squadron of javelina!

The McDonald Geodetic Observatory (MGO) is a joint venture among the NASA Space Geodesy Project (SGP), The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research, and the McDonald Observatory.

Who is invited to the event?

Your guests are welcome to attend the BOV meeting with you. Select the appropriate registration type, indicate the BOV member they are attending with, and complete registration as normal.

If you are registering a child under 18 years old, please contact Anna Boxall for a discount code.

How do I get to McDonald Observatory?

Driving East on Interstate 10 from El Paso, take Highway 118 south at Kent. Driving West on Interstate 10 from Austin/San Antonio, take Highway 17 south at Balmorhea, then Highway 118 north to the Observatory. From Big Bend National Park, take Highway 118 north through Alpine and Fort Davis.

When driving in West Texas, keep an eye on your fuel level. There is no petrol available at the Observatory, so it is recommended to fill up in Fort Davis, Alpine, or Marfa before arrival.

Are there alternative ways to travel?

The closest commercial airports are in Midland/Odessa or in El Paso (both approximately 3 hours away). Marfa and Alpine have airstrips for private aviation. Passenger Amtrak trains service Alpine from Austin and San Antonio.  

If you need to rent a car, Trans-Pecos Jeeps can arrange to deliver a rental to the Alpine Amtrak Station, Alpine Airport, Fort Davis, Marfa (including the Marfa Airport), Marathon, Study Butte and Terlingua.  

Tom Kelner of Alpine Bed & Breakfast also runs Tom’s Tour & Taxi Service and offers both a self-drive rental and a chauffeured service – a great option if you don’t want to drive home after a long night of stargazing. 

Where should I stay?

Lodging in the Fort Davis region is limited, so early booking is encouraged. A shortlist of recommended accommodations in Fort Davis, Alpine, and Marfa is available. Vacation rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO are also common.

Check out our Lodging Shortlist here.

What should I wear?

Comfort is key in West Texas. Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers for cooler evening temperatures. For daytime activities, consider sun protection such as hats and sunglasses.

Special mobility and respiratory considerations

Some Observatory locations involve uneven terrain and stairs. Guests who can walk short distances and navigate limited stairs can participate in most activities; please notify organizers in advance to discuss.

Mt. Locke sits at approximately 6,800 feet elevation, and thinner air may affect those with respiratory sensitivities.

Medical centers, allergies, and dietary restrictions

McDonald Observatory is located in a remote region. Guests with medical needs should bring necessary medications. The nearest clinic is in Alpine (about one hour away), and the nearest hospital is in Midland/Odessa (about three hours away).

Meals are buffet-style with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Guests with dietary restrictions are encouraged to consult catering staff.

What will the weather be like?

Weather will be monitored throughout the meeting. Updates affecting evening telescope viewing will be communicated onsite.

What can my family do in the Fort Davis area?

Complimentary passes are available for the Friday Night Star Party at the Visitors Center, which is suitable for all ages. Additional area activities include visiting Fort Davis National Historic Site, exploring the collections at the Museum of the Big Bend, touring contemporary installations at the Chinati Foundation, hiking and stargazing at Davis Mountains State Park, and enjoying exhibits and trails at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center.