This Little-Known Observatory In Texas Has One Of The Nation's Largest Telescopes
By Katie Lawrence|Published February 05, 2019
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
When we think about observatories in Texas, Fort Davis immediately comes to mind. After all, the remote Big Bend Area has some of our state’s darkest skies. It isn’t always feasible to pack up and trek out into the desert, but luckily, we don’t have to. There’s another observatory just outside of Houston with views comparable to the middle of nowhere. Check it out:
Home to just over 3,000 people, the tiny town of Needville is located far away from city light pollution. As such, it's the perfect place to study the cosmos, which is exactly why George Observatory exists.
Three telescopes provide strikingly clear views of the night sky in all its unadulterated glory. One of them spans a whopping 36 inches, ranking it among the nation's largest. Depending on what time of year it is, you'll be able to see celestial bodies such as meteors and the Milky Way band.
Several events throughout the year allow astronomy geeks from all over Texas to unite in their love for space. Rocket launches and VIP star parties are just two of the unique experiences. Click here to keep up with the calendar and purchase tickets.
On-site astronomers are available to point out constellations and answer any questions you might have. There's also a meteorite exhibit, inflatable planetarium, and hands-on space mission simulator for the kiddos.
The observatory is open every Saturday from 3-10 p.m. Entrance is included with admission to the park, which is $7 for everyone 12 and over (children get in free).