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Observing at Palomar - Observing at Palomar begins with the semi-annual calls for proposals for 200-inch time issued by Caltech, JPL, and Cornell University. The COO Proposal forms link has information on the proposal process, Target of Opportunity Observing(TOO log), TOO policy, Large Project proposals, and Keck observing (Keck Travel Support). Proposals are also solicited for a limited percentage of time on the new 60-inch automated system for Caltech personnel only. The 48 inch Samuel Oschin Schmidt Telescope, is home to the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking and Palomar-QUEST surveys. The new large area QUEST camera was built by Yale University and Indiana University. The Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking is run by JPL. The daily observing schedule for all telescopes is set, based on the institutional allocations made after review of the proposals.

• The roads to Palomar, Highway 76 & South Grade Road (S-6), may be difficult during and just after rain events. Road closures and rock/mud slides are possible at these times.
  For road conditions :
  • Contact Caltrans (California Department of Transportation)
    Phone 800-427-7623 or http://www.dot.ca.gov
  • CHP Traffic Incident Information Page - Click on San Diego for local incidents

• General Procedures: NOTE THAT KEY PROCEDURE HAS CHANGED, TO GET A VISITOR KEY YOU MUST CHECK IN AT THE PALOMAR MAIN OFFICE. SEE THE OBSERVATORY PROCEDURES LINK AT THE Observer Log-in HOME PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS.
  • General Procedures (including the links to maps) or; What to do on your first visit to Palomar
    
    
  • Palomar 200" & 60" Filter Inventory is here
    
    
  • The 200-inch Hale Telescope
    Instruments    -    CCDs    -    Shepherd Autoguider

  • The 60-inch Telescope
    Instruments    -    Automated Optical Transient Observing System

  • The 48-inch Oschin Telescope
    Quest/Palomar Camera - Near Earth Asteroid Tracking

  • The JPL Palomar Testbed Interferometer

  • Snoop: The Palomar All-Sky Camera

  • Sleuth: The Palomar Planet Finder

  • Observing Tools and Information The Schedules -The principal observer identified for each day is the single-point contact regarding all scheduling and logistical matters in connection with the observing run. Observing Schedule

    Observing time is assigned to the principal observers and may not be transferred without permission of the Director Dr. Shri Kulkarni. Observers who arrange to trade time among themselves may request schedule changes by contacting Palomar Observatory Office (x4040) on the Caltech campus.

    An observer may log in at any time prior to his or her scheduled time to finalize the details of the observing run. If, by two weeks before the run, this has not been accomplished, the principal observer will be prompted via e-mail to complete the necessary web forms. Failure to fill out the Monastery form at least one week in advance will result in additional late fees.

    Observer Log-in