George Observatory
George Observatory—a part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science—is located within the Brazos Bend State Park in Texas, about 45 miles (72 km) southwest of downtown Houston. The recently refurbished 36-inch (91 cm) Gueymard Telescope is one of the largest telescopes in the United States that is regularly available for public viewing. The observatory allows both amateur and professional astronomers to conduct research, while visitors gain first-hand knowledge of the universe. George Observatory is open to the public every Saturday evening until 10:00 pm (11:00 daylight time) year-round, except for major holidays. Visitors should note that the park and observatory have different hours and both require separate tickets, and should plan to enter the park no later than 9:30 pm, in order to reach the observatory which lies about 2 miles (3 km) inside the park. A friend of EarthSky shared the following: “It is truly a sight you won’t want to miss. A must-see if you’re in the Houston metro area. Check it out!”