Another Day. Another Sunset.

Here is tonight's sunset from two vantage points. Looking toward the west:


and the light of the sunset illuminating the dome of the Hale Telescope:


As the Sun goes down everyone inside the dome is just getting started for 11 hours or so of work.

Open

The word is that Palomar Observatory will be open today for our regular daytime visiting hours.

Palomar History Photo of the Week - Plowing Snow

More winter weather is due on Palomar Mountain this weekend and I am overdue in posting a History Photo of the Week, so let's combine the two with this photo:

It was taken February 9, 1939 by Lee A. Farnsworth, Jr as he took a break from plowing snow to capture his tractor with the dome of the 200-inch telescope in the background.

From the looks of the current National Weather Service forecast for Palomar Mountain, it is likely that history will repeat itself with snow plows again being called into action at the observatory this weekend. If that is the case, it is a good bet that the observatory will be closed to the public for the coming weekend (Feb 26 & 27).

Observatory Closed

Palomar Observatory will be closed to the public today & Sunday due to winter weather conditions.

Winter Weather to Return this Week

It is time again to roll out the old photo of the dome and the weather gear to let people know that some rough weather is expected to head our way that will likely close the observatory to visitors in the coming days.

Rain, fog, wind, & snow are all in the forecast between tonight and Sunday night. In the coming days please pay close attention to weather forecasts (such as this Special Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service) and any road or other closures before heading up to visit the observatory or the Palomar Mountain area.

Observatory Closed January 31st

I just found out that Palomar Observatory is closed to the public today.

Palomar Sunset - January 7, 2011

Tonight's sunset from the catwalk of the 200-inch Hale Telescope:




Click to embiggen to make it easier to spy the crescent moon at the top of the picture.

Wednesday: Still Closed

The latest word is that there is some snow/ice lodged on the upper part of the dome of the 200-inch telescope in a place that can't easily be cleared. Since falling snow/ice poses a potential danger to visitors the observatory will be closed until it looks safe.

It is hoped that some direct sunlight today will help to clear the problem.

Sorry, We're Closed

Yes, we are still closed to the public.

Remember you can check on the observatory's status by calling our Public Information Recording: (760) 742-2119.

Ice = Still Closed

Temperatures dropped into the teens last night on Palomar Mountain and there is a substantial coating of ice on the roadways and observatory grounds. As a result, we remain closed to the public today.

Observatory Closed Today Due to Winter Weather

A mix of snow, rain, fog & wind is producing potentially dangerous travel conditions on Palomar Mountain today. As a result the observatory is closed to the public today.

Roads Closed

Palomar Mountain has received more than 14 inches of rain in the last few days. At this moment both South Grade and East Grade Roads are closed due to rock and mud slides. With more weather expected, travel in the area is not recommended.

Hale Halo

From earlier this week:



Ice crystal clouds forming a halo behind the dome of the 200-inch Hale Telescope. The clouds parted enough to allow for over 12 hours of observing that night in the study of distant frozen worlds in outer solar system in a region known as the Kuiper Belt.

Rough Weather for the Weekend

Dense fog, high winds, heavy rain & snow are all in the forecast for Palomar Mountain this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement.

Travel to Palomar Mountain is likely not a good idea for the weekend.

Rain & Fog on Palomar

Anyone planning on traveling to Palomar Mountain today or in the next few days should pay close attention to the weather and road conditions.

Rain and fog are currently making for difficult driving conditions in the area. Additionally, rocks in the roads are likely during these times.

Be careful out there.

Fire Danger now Very High

As of this morning the Fire Danger in the Cleveland National Forest on Palomar Mountain is now rated at "Very High". Be careful out there.

Mammatus Clouds Over Palomar

There has been some strong thunderstorm activity nearby the observatory today. While we haven't had any rain, there has been lightning in the area and an impressive display of mammatus clouds.

Here is a close-up of the mammatus clouds:

Thunderstorms can bring dangerous weather here in the back country. It is important for visitors to the area to pay attention to any weather alerts and to do their best to use common sense to try to be safe, especially when there is lightning in the area.

Update: Clouds cleared by sunset and a full night (9.5 hours) of observing was enjoyed by astronomers using the Hale Telescope.

Spring on Palomar

"June Gloom" is in full swing for the lowlands below, but on Palomar Mountain we are experiencing a beautiful spring day.

As evidence of the nice weather from above the clouds, here are two photos taken from vantage points seldom seen by the visiting public.

Looking west across a field of western bracken ferns (Pteridium aquilinum) toward the dome of the Hale Telescope.

The dome that once housed the 18-inch Schmidt telescope standing well behind some Lupine (Lupinus albifrons, var. eminens) flowers. These purple flowers can be currently seen in bloom in many places on Palomar Mountain.

Winter Weather Returns

UPDATE: Palomar Observatory is closed to the public today due to the hazardous winter weather conditions.

Be careful out there. Palomar Mountain is currently under a Winter Weather Advisory. Fog, wind, snow and icy roads are expected though at least Thursday morning. Travel to the San Diego mountains is not recommended at this time. If you are planning a trip to the observatory, it might be a good time to put it off for a while.


No word yet if this will affect our weekend tours. I'll post an update later in the week.

Speaking of our tours, here is a nice review of them.

Guided Tours Return

It is almost April. That means that guided tours of the Hale Telescope will soon be here. Weather permitting, they should begin this weekend. Do keep in mind that we are expecting snow on Palomar tonight & Thursday. There is always a chance that the weather could intervene with the tours. I will post an update on the weather & tour status here later in the week.

One thing for sure is that it will likely be in the 30s inside the dome as the interior of the 200-inch dome is kept at nighttime temperatures (for an elevation of 5,500 feet!). Dress accordingly.

These one-hour-long tours are held on Saturdays & Sundays only during the months of April through October. Tour tickets are sold in the gift shop the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. The gift shop opens at 10:00 a.m. No prior reservations are taken.

Tours are offered at 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8.00 per person for all ages. The tour is not recommended for children under six years of age. Sorry, no pets.

Tours cover the history and current scientific research of the Palomar Observatory, with a special emphasis on the 200-inch Hale Telescope. High-heeled shoes are not recommended for the tours.

Alas, there is no viewing through the Hale Telescope as a part of the tours. Even the astronomers do not look through the telescope. That isn't the way research is done.