Tarleton State University Observatory
Satellite imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics
Tarleton State University Observatory sits at Hunewell Ranch, about eight miles east of Stephenville, Texas, serving as the astronomy education and research facility for Tarleton State University.
About Tarleton State University Observatory
The observatory occupies an 840-square-foot building with a 20.5-foot wide-slit ash dome, built to support the university's Astronomy Education and Research program under director Dr. Shaukat Goderya, Assistant Professor.
Telescopes & research
Its primary instrument is a 32-inch Ritchey-Chretien reflecting telescope, designed and built by Astronomical Consultants and Equipment of Tucson, Arizona, paired with a computer-controlled, high-resolution CCD imaging system used for both research and projection.
Location & getting there
The observatory is located at Hunewell Ranch, roughly eight miles east of Stephenville, Texas, in the rural North Central Texas countryside.
Visiting Tarleton State University Observatory
Regular access is restricted to Tarleton faculty conducting research and students working on astronomy projects, but the observatory holds public star parties and planetarium programs. Check the university's observatory website for upcoming dates before visiting.
See your named star from here
With a 32-inch research-grade telescope on hand, Tarleton State University Observatory is well equipped to help locate a star of your own. A Star Register name comes with the precise coordinates needed. Explore our packages or the catalogue.
Opening hours and public-visit programs vary by season. Check Google Maps for current times before you travel.