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Home / See & Do / George Observatory
The George Observatory
Space Nights at the Challenger Center - Saturday, March 27 & Saturday, April 24!
Admission into the park ends at 9 p.m., but viewing continues until 10 p.m. for those already admitted.
About the George
The George Observatory, located about one hour’s drive south of Houston in the attractive Brazos Bend State Park, is a satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The Observatory houses a for Space Science Education, which takes participants on simulated space missions, complete with a mission control center and a spacecraft simulator. A meteorite exhibit features fragments of several famous meteorites, including a piece of the Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico carbonaceous chondrite meteorite, which fell to the Earth on Feb. 8, 1969. This is the most primitive type of meteorite known contains interstellar grains (stardust) and is believed to have formed during an explosion of a supernova/red giant star before the birth of the solar system, making it one of the oldest substances known to man.
11 inch refractor on right side mounted
on 36" Gueymard telescope | There are also three domed telescopes at the George Observatory: the largest is the 36-inch Gueymard Research Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the nation open to the public on a regular basis. The George Observatory has a new 11 inch F 15 refracting telescope donated by Preston and Donna Engebretson of Houston, Texas. The 11 inch is mounted on the Gueymard 36" (.9 meter) RC Tinsley Reflector.
Used for inquiry and education, the telescopes at the Observatory allow both amateur and professional astronomers to conduct research, while visitors can gain firsthand knowledge of the beautiful and awe-inspiring sights of the night sky. Depending on the time of the month and the season of the year, visitors are able to observe a variety of phenomena, such as Saturn’s rings, cloud belts on Jupiter, a partial or total eclipse of the Moon, a bright meteor or fireball that lights up the ground, the Milky Way, or a close pairing of two planets.
The George Observatory is open for public viewing on Saturday evenings, and is available by reservation on Friday nights for groups of 30 or more. During weekdays, school groups can attend astronomy classes by reservation. These classes feature a special tour of the research telescope and a view through a solar telescope, allowing visitors to see sunspots, flares, and the ever-changing gas prominences of the Sun.
Observing for High School, College and/or Adult Education Astronomy/Physics Classes
These observational classes are held on one Thursday evening per month, November-March, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Teachers/professors: Bring your class to the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park for a hands-on observing session through the 36 inch telescope and new 11 inch refractor here at the observatory.
Cost: $150 for up to 30 students and teacher. (plus park activity fee of $1.00 per person.)
For further information and reservations call the Observatory staff at 281-242-3055 or 979-553-3400.
"At a state park in southeast Texas, you can encounter Earth’s wildlife, as well as heaven’s wonders.” Read more about what your family can experience in Brazos Bend State Park – from abundant nature-watching on the park’s many hiking, biking and horseback riding trails to a front-row seat to the cosmos – in “Brazos Bend and the George Observatory,” an article by Tony Wiese.
to read the article.
This copyrighted article and photos are reprinted with permission of author and photographer Tony Wiese, and Family Motor Coaching magazine.
Field Trip Downloads
George Observatory Classes for Home School Students
We offer hands-on astronomy classes for home school elementary students. Classes are specially designed for grades K-2 and 3-8.
The classes at the George Observatory are designed to be a series of classes. However, individual classes may be purchased if desired. You may book classes by e-mailing your registration forms to Vanessa Garcia at vgarcia@hmns.org or by contacting Vanessa at 713-639-4733 beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2009. You will be expected to pay a non-refundable deposit of 50% of your total enrollment fee at this time.
(Classes at the George are subject to a change in date.)
Please note there is an additional $1 per person park activity fee.
For information about classes at the George Observatory please contact Peggy Halford, phalford@hmns.org, or Barbara Wilson, bwilson@hmns.org, or call 281-242-3055.
| When: | First Wednesday or Thursday of each month
September through April, unless otherwise posted
The Evening Star Party in May is included |
| Cost: | $200 per child + $18 park activity fees for all 8 classes plus the Star Party, if purchased on or before September 1, 2009.
$30 per child, plus park activity fee, per class beginning September 2, 2009 |
| Grades: | K - 8 tailored to grade level |
| Capacity: | 15 - 20 students for grades K – 2
20 students for grades 3 – 8
(Minimum 8 years of age on or before September 1, 2009) |
Dates for sessions 1 and 2 - Grades K-2
NOTE: The November and December dates are subject to change because of hunting.
Unless otherwise noted, class times are 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (with a break for lunch).
| September 2, 3 | The Sun and Shadows |
| October 7, 8 | The Sun and the Solar System |
| November 4, 5 | Stars and Constellations |
| December 9, 10 | The Moon and Mini-Challenger Mission |
| January 6, 7 | The Planets |
| February 3, 4 | Comets, Meteors and Planets |
| March 3, 4 | Space and Astronauts |
| April 7, 8 | Rockets & Space and Mini-Challenge Mission |
Friday, May 7,
7:30 p.m. | Evening Observing—Family Star Party
(weather permitting) |
Dates for sessions 1 and 2 - Grades 3-8
NOTE: The November and December dates are subject to change because of hunting.
Unless otherwise noted, class times are 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (with a break for lunch).
| September 2, 3 | Fun With Optics! |
| October 7, 8 | Newton’s Apples: Laws of Motion |
| November 4, 5 | Our Daytime Star and Our Moon |
| December 9, 10 | Aerospace and Mini-Challenger Mission |
| January 6, 7 | Our Solar System and Planets (part 1) |
| February 3, 4 | Travelers Through the Solar System and Planets (part 2) |
| March 3, 4 | Color and Light: The Colorful Night Sky |
| April 7, 8 | Physics in Motion-Egg Astronauts |
Friday, May 7,
7:30 p.m. | Evening Observing—Family Star Party
(weather permitting) |
LyondellBasell Educator Overnights at the George Observatory
Educators! Join us at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park for an Astronomy Overnight. Work with experts in asteroid, meteor, lunar and planetary astronomy as you observe the night sky using the largest public telescope in the U.S. Participate in a Challenger Mission and then stay up late to enjoy the night sky. Feel free to bring your own telescope and binoculars.
*NOTE: participants must stay through the entire event to receive credit as partial credit is not available.
For more information about this Overnight program or to book a special program for your school’s teachers please contact the Overnight coordinator at overnights@hmns.org.
Learn more about LyondellBasell Educator Overnights at the Museum’s main location.
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