The
design of the new Visitors' Center at McDonald Observatory seeks to incorporate
elements of archeo-astronomy into the architecture and site plan at the base
of Mount Locke. Site elements include an entry court centered on an ancient
sundial and an Astronomy park including a telescope park and 400 seat open air
amphitheatre for constellation tours. The 11,000 square foot Visitors' Center
includes a gift shop, a 100 seat theatre with state of the art projection and
teleconferencing systems,
the Texas Astronomy Education Center, and an exhibit area dedicated to the science
of Spectroscopy with a classroom for visiting student groups.
