Dr. Michael Hibbs is the director of the Astronomy Education and Research program and heads the Tarleton observatory.

Telescopic Tarleton

University boasts top-notch observatory and planetarium

By: Rebecca Hoeffner

Posted: 9/13/07

Tarleton State University students have a bragging right they may not even be aware of-TSU is home to the largest telescope in the Texas A&M system, and the largest telescope in the United States at a university that does not offer a master's program in physics or astrology.

"Our observatory and telescope are located eight miles east of Stephenville at the Hunewell Ranch," said Dr. Michael Hibbs, director of the Program for Astronomy Education and Research.

The telescope is in its second full year of operation and cost $1.2 million to build. It's been used for publishable research by Tarleton students and faculty, as well as high school students across the area.

"A group of high school students from Tolar and Granbury did research with the telescope and presented it to the American Association of Physics Teachers," said Hibbs.

Hibbs called the telescope "fully robotic," meaning a researcher doesn't even have to be at the observatory to see the telescope's view of the stars-it's available through digital photography over the Internet.

"I do a lot of my observations on my computer at home," said Hibbs. In the future, students who are interested in views seen from the telescope may visit www.tarleton.edu/~space.The Web site is currently under construction.

Tarleton is also beginning to open use of its telescope to other universities in the Texas A&M system and around Texas, because "we have the best telescope around," said Hibbs.

Tarleton also has a planetarium in the science building that's currently undergoing repairs, but Hibbs says it should be open again at the end of this month. The planetarium offers a variety of shows depending on the audience age. The Web site listed above also has a list of shows available at the planetarium, or you can call the planetarium office at 254-968-0523.