Research - Renee James
Dr. C. Renee James has been part of the physics faculty since 1999. Her primary classroom duty is teaching introductory astronomy for non-science majors, something that she does with great enthusiasm. She has twice been nominated for the University's Excellence in Teaching Award, and her unique teaching methods earned her a Gold Star award from NASA's IGES for inspiring uses of Hubble in Education. Every other summer she and Dr. Scott Miller (Department of Physics) lead an introductory class to Arizona and Australia to experience the astronomical events they would otherwise only read about (The next class is scheduled for Summer I 2014).
Trained as a stellar spectroscopist at the astronomy department of the University of Texas at Austin, she later switched gears from determining the chemical abundances of metal-poor stars in favor of exploring interesting connections in astronomy and the history of science. She has written extensively for both Astronomy and Sky and Telescope magazines ("What Has Astronomy Done For You Lately?"), and was awarded the Popular Science Writing Award by the Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society. She recently authored "Seven Wonders of the Universe That You Probably Took for Granted" (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010), and is currently working on a book about the surprising life-changing results of seemingly impractical pure science research.
Recently Dr. James was awarded a grant from NASA to work with Dr. Miller and Dr. Andrea Foster from the College of Education to create a workshop to train regional secondary teachers in the nature of astronomical research.
Dominey Observatory - Public Viewing Nights
To reserve your spot, please email observatory@shsu.edu or call (936) 294-1601. Please include the full names of all attendees when making your reservation.
| Date | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 8th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, March 22nd | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, April 12th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, April 26th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
FAQ
Can I come to the observatory without a reservation?
No, a reservation is required to visit the Dominey Observatory.
Is food or drink allowed?
No, we ask that all food and drinks be left in your car.
Can I bring my own telescope?
Yes, but prior approval is required when making your reservation. We encourage visitors to bring their own telescopes, but depending on the night, space may be limited.
What are your office hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, excluding weekends and holidays.
Can I bring a large group, or do you allow field trips?
For large groups or organizations, please contact us directly to arrange a dedicated viewing session outside of our public events.
I saw that some nights are dedicated to students. Can I visit on those nights?
No, those nights are reserved exclusively for students enrolled in our astronomy courses.
How much does it cost?
Public viewings are FREE! However, we do accept donations.
How to Donate:
- Click Give Now
- Enter your Gift Amount
- Under Gift Designation, select College of Science & Engineering Technology
- Under Area of Support, choose Friends of Physics
Location & Directions
Dominey Observatory
📍 39 Knox Cir, Huntsville, TX 77320
Our location may not appear correctly in Apple Maps. We recommend using Google Maps for accurate directions: 39 Knox Circle