George Observatory Opens following Two-Year Renovation

Joel A. Bartsch serves as CEO of the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) and coordinates immersive exhibitions and educational programming, while managing an expanding membership base. The institution Joel Bartsch leads has a research focus that extends to management of the George Observatory.

An essential resource for astronomers and stargazers in the Houston area, the observatory at Brazos Bend State Park features a trio of telescope domes and allows distant reaches of the solar system to be observed. Established in 1989, the facility closed its doors in mid 2019 for a major renovation process. Among the improvements made were repainting, new roofing for telescope domes, and replacement of the observation deck railing.

With outreach and education programs set to launch throughout 2021 and beyond, interior exhibits were also completely redesigned. New displays were set up in the main exhibit hall, as well as the Expedition Center and classroom. In addition, a solar camera and stargazing video feeds were launched to provide new perspectives on the observatory’s work.