As a hobby, he read science books and viewed planets through a small telescope. A well-educated man, McDonald lived frugally. Built in the 1930s under terms of legacy from William Johnson McDonald (1844-1926), a Paris (Texas) banker interested in the stars. It is Near Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County Texas Original unit in complex forming one of the great observatory centers of the world. This historical marker was erected in 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. Discoveries made here have included interstellar polarization and the satellites of several planets. Its fine work and site have resulted in the addition of other telescopes including a 107-inch instrument sponsored jointly by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the University of Texas. Until 1948, its 82-inch telescope was second largest in the world. The observatory was operated for its first 25 years mainly by astronomers from the University of Chicago, more recently primarily from the University of Texas. His will granted to the University of Texas $800,000: "to build an observatory and promote the study of astronomy." This site was selected because of its high ratio of clear nights, its 6,800-foot altitude, and its quite low latitude that permits observation of southern skies. Original unit in complex forming one of the great observatory centers of the world. It quickly reached more than 1,000 stations across the country.McDonald Observatory of the University of Texas. With a grant from the National Science Foundation, the program became “Star Date,” and began airing nationally, seven days per week, on October 1, 1978. It was picked up by Austin radio station KLBJ-FM, and aired as “Have You Seen the Stars Tonight?” beginning in June 1977. It began in 1977 as a daily telephone message service by McDonald Observatory. StarDate is radio’s longest-running nationally aired science program. Read more » More Than 40 Years and Counting! The Voice of StarDateīilly Henry, a voice talent, musician, composer, and college lecturer in Austin is the third narrator of the StarDate radio program. StarDate is a production of The University of Texas McDonald Observatory, which also produces the bi-monthly StarDate magazine. And it offers tidbits on astronomy in the arts and popular culture, providing ways for people with diverse interests to keep up with the universe. It also keeps listeners up to date on the latest research findings and space missions. StarDate tells listeners what to look for in the night sky, and explains the science, history, and skylore behind these objects. It has been hosted by Billy Henry since July 2019. StarDate debuted in 1978, making it the longest-running national radio science feature in the country.
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