In the Shadow of a Stegosaur

Stegosaurus fossil on display

Have you been to the HMNS at Sugar Land campus lately and seen our new Stegosaur?  Her name is “Stella” – she’s about 150 million years old and joins us from the Jurassic period. When you do get a chance to visit her, here’s a thought you might ponder: what was it like to be […]

Summer Stargazing at the George Observatory

It’s time to enjoy the lazy days of summer and the wonders of stargazing nights. Now that the George Observatory has reopened to the public, the summer months are the perfect time to pre-purchase tickets online, pack up a picnic lunch or snacks along with family or friends, and head to “the George” located inside […]

Exploring the Night Sky with Astrophotography

Image of the moon through a telescope

At the risk of sounding overly cliché, astrophotography is a hobby that is effortless to start and virtually impossible to master. Smartphones are so powerful now that almost anyone can point it towards the Moon and snap a decent picture. At its most basic, that is astrophotography. However, venturing into the gulf between a Moon […]

Help Protect Wildlife This Summer

A toad rests in an adult's hands as a child pets it.

Summer is upon us in Southeast Texas and this is the time of year when animals of all kinds are most active. Animals are mating, giving birth to and raising young, searching for food, and generally in greater numbers, so we are more likely to cross paths. This can be a busy and dangerous time […]

Summer Arrives | June 2021 Sky Happenings

Map of constellations in the night sky of the month of June

Mars remains almost as bright as the stars around it in May 2021. And Mars is low in the west—still visible right as night falls.  Jupiter and  Saturn are the morning sky this month, low in the south. Venus also slowly emerges into the evening sky this month. Venus outshines everything except the Sun and the Moon, so […]

Now Playing | Are We Really Alone?

In the past, UFO programs have been more science fiction and less hard science. Now with better telescopes, brighter computers, and advances in theoretical physics, we can tackle the most profound questions in astronomy and perhaps in all of human history: Are UFOs real? and Are we really alone? Some theories we debunk. Aliens with […]

What is all the Buzz About?

Closeup of a Honey Bee pollinating

May 20 is World Bee Day. It is a world-wide celebration of what has been declared the single most important animal on earth. It’s staggering to think of what they do for us and the planet. Around 70% of the world’s agriculture depends exclusively on bees for pollination and this doesn’t even cover what they […]

Evenings with Mercury | May 2021 Sky Happenings

Map of the stars and planets during the month of May

Mars continues to fade a little bit each night now that Earth has overtaken it and is pulling away. However, it fades out gradually; Mars remains almost as bright as the stars around it in May 2021. And Mars is high in the west–well placed for observing right as night falls.  Jupiter and  Saturn are the morning sky […]

A Mother’s Love | A Closer Look at Bug Moms

As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re reminded of all of the hard-working, loving, and caring moms out there. I have three little boys of my own and I know what I’ll be doing, soaking up quality time with them and enjoying the sweet hand-written notes and beautiful pictures. While we’re all making plans and deciding what […]

Excellence in Science and Mathematics Student Scholarships and Teacher Awards

By Scott Stevenson, Director of Summer Camps at HMNSYouth Education Manager Through the generosity of the Cockrell Foundation, The Houston Museum of Natural Science is proud to offer the Evelyn Frensley Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Science or Mathematics and the Wilhelmina C. Robertson Excellence in Science or Mathematics Teaching Award. Four annual awards of […]


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