Observatory Closed

Winter weather conditions will keep Palomar Observatory closed to the public today through this weekend.

Observatory Closed

Yup, we got dumped on with snow last weekend and are currently closed to the public.

Major Winter Storm Headed Toward Palomar

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Palomar Mountain from 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning until 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning. As such Palomar Observatory will be closed for at least this weekend.

Anyone considering travel to the mountains of southern California this weekend should carefully consider (or maybe reconsider) their plans. From the winter storm warning:

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE
WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT
AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS.
ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. SNOW...BLOWING SNOW...AND DENSE FOG
WILL CAUSE LOCAL VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO AT TIMES. TRAVELERS
THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR HAZARDOUS WINTER
WEATHER CONDITIONS. MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO CHECK THE LATEST ROAD
REPORTS BEFORE DEPARTING. ALWAYS CARRY CHAINS AND TAKE EXTRA
FOOD AND CLOTHING IF YOU MUST TRAVEL INTO THE MOUNTAINS.
SNOWFALL WILL IMPACT TRAVEL ON INTERSTATE 8 THROUGH THE SAN
DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS. THIS WEATHER COULD BE DEADLY FOR
UNPREPARED CAMPERS OR HIKERS.

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).

Still Closed

Just a quick note to let people know that the observatory is still closed to the public. Look here for an update saying that we are back open.

Shoveling Snow off of the Dome - Part 2

Some of you may remember my Shoveling Snow from the Dome post from April of last year. If not, feel free to follow the link to see some telephoto pictures of some of the Palomar crew shoveling snow off of the slit of the dome of the Hale Telescope.

F0r the last several months I have been cast in to a role that is more involved with the nightly operation of the telescope (that's why the number of blog posts have dropped dramatically) and today I had my first opportunity to shovel snow off of the top of the dome. I was able to bring a camera with me and can share some pics of from the experience.

The basic problem is this. If you open the dome with snow on the top, snow will fall in on the telescope and instrumentation. So a small crew, each secured with a safety harness, is sent up to remove the snow from the dome slit.

Here is a view of the top of the dome before any work was begun:


Here is a view of the work as it was nearing completion:

Notice that there is still quite a bit of snow on the dome, but the area that poses the greatest potential risk to the telescope has been pretty much cleared.

Here I am on top of the world:


Joining me on this quest was Greg:


Trust me, 135-feet would be a long way to fall, so having the safety harness secured is very important.


It is important to tune out the view, because it is so amazing, but I did manage to snap a few quick shots:

The photo above is looking roughly southward. You can see the little dome of the 18-inch Schmidt (center) and the much bigger (but much farther away) dome for the 60-inch telescope (right). You can also see the snow-filled Mendenhall Valley and the Crestline/Birch Hill ridge of Palomar Mountain (behind the 60-inch telescope at right).

This view is looking toward High Point. If you click to embiggen the photo you can easily see the High Point lookout tower. In the center is the dome of the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope. To the left is the observatory's 1,000,000-gallon water tank and the water tower.

Finally, check out this short video that I took of the view:

At Palomar Observatory every day is an adventure.

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.

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.

Still Closed

Icy conditions persist at Palomar Observatory and in many places on the roads in the area. As a result the observatory remains closed to the public today.

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.

Shoveling Snow from the Dome

The dome of the Hale Telescope is 135-feet high. From this wide shot you can't easily notice the people on it, can you?


A zoom lens brings them nicely into focus as the crew shovels snow off of the dome:




It is hard work, but somebody has got to do it.

Closed Today. Tomorrow?

Palomar Observatory will likely be closed for all or most of Friday as we still have dangerous amounts of snow and ice on the compound and on the 135-foot high dome of the 200-inch telescope.

Work will continue throughout the day on snow and ice removal in the public areas and on the domes.

Right it is looking like we will be open for the weekend. I will post a confirmation when it is certain one way or the other.

Palomar Observatory Closed Today

Icy roads and snowy conditions will keep Palomar Observatory closed today, and possibly longer. Further updates will be posted when I know more.

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.

Observatory Closed to Public Today

Winter weather and hazardous road conditions will keep the observatory closed today.

More Winter Weather

The National Weather Service is predicting that the winter storm that is just starting to hit the Palomar area will drop some 12 - 20 inches of snow.

Currently there is dense fog, slick roads and snow actively falling.

If Nature delivers as expected it is a good bet that the observatory will be closed for at least the next several days. I will update the observatory's status as soon as there is something new to report.