Palomar Observer Information
Quick Links
| Observer Log-in | Observing Schedule | COO Proposal Solicitation | Palomar Observer Travel |
Applying for Palomar Time
Observing at Palomar begins with the semi-annual calls for telescope time proposals issued by the various Palomar constituencies:- Caltech/Caltech Optical Observatories (COO)
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) /JPL Palomar Advisory Committee (JPAC)
- Oxford University Physics & Astronomy
- Stony Brook University (SBU)
- National Astronomical Observatories of China (NAOC)
The COO Proposal Solicitation link has Caltech-specific information on the Palomar proposal process, but some of this information may be of interest to astronomers from other constituencies as well. In particular we call your attention to the Caltech Target of Opportunity Observing (ToO) page (including both TOO policy and ToO log), and the Caltech Large Project proposals. Caltech proposals are also solicited for a limited percentage of time on the 60-inch telescope automated system and 48 inch Samuel Oschin Schmidt Telescope equipped with the Palomar Transient Factory wide-field camera system. The daily observing schedule for all telescopes is set based on the institutional allocations made after proposal review.
Palomar Travel
Observers coming to Palomar may want to review these Palomar Observer Travel resources.In particular lodging at the Palomar Monastery must be booked in advance. Visitor keys are available at Monastery check-in.
Palomar Telescope/Instrumentation Resources
- Palomar 200" & 60" Filter Inventory is here
- The 200-inch Hale Telescope (P200)
Instruments - CCDs - Shepherd Autoguider - The 60-inch Telescope (P60)
P60 Observers Information - The 48-inch Oschin Telescope (P48).
P48 Observers Information
P200 Telescope Schedules/Instrument Settings
The Lead Observer (LO) identified for each P200 night is the single contact point for all scheduling and logistical matters associated with the observing run. If no distinct LO is designated, the program Principal Investigator serves as LO. Please see the on-line P200 Observing Schedule if you have questions about the LO-designation for an upcoming run.LOs are responsible for identifying instrument settings at least two weeks before an observing run. Instrument settings (aka Palomar "green sheets") for instruments such as DBSP are defined through the on-line reservation form. Any questions concerning instrument setups should be sent to Palomar Instrument group. Any other observing/astronomer support questions should be sent to the P200 Support Astronomer group.
