Bernie E. Mesa B.S.
Texas A&M University
Electrical Engineering
bem017@shsu.edu
After graduation, I worked for RCA Princeton Research Laboratories and Siemens Electronics in Munich Germany designing communications and video equipment. I founded a company, Micro Star Technologies in Huntsville TX, developing and building laboratory instruments for electron and atomic force microscopy, collaborated with Dr. Terry Hoage at the SHSU biology department, manufactured 20 nm diamond tools used in semiconductor lithography and have two patents, a rotary engine and a diamond tip surgical instrument.
After selling the company, I have enjoyed helping at the physics department laboratories, besides instructing, I designed and built equipment for measuring the speed of light and the gravitational constant. At my home machine and electronics shop, I am busy with several projects, among them a clock astrolabe as would have been made in the time of Ptolemy, and a sidereal clock whose only timing reference is the earth’s rotation, it would work unmodified on another planet or the moon.
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