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Tours at Palomar Observatory 


Caltech Photo by Robert J. Paz

The Palomar Observatory is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily (except December 24 and 25) for self-guided visits to the 200-inch Telescope.

Podcast for the Palomar self-guided tour:
Click here to listen (right click to save to your computer) to the 10 minute (9.2 mb) audio tour.

The gallery in the 200-inch dome affords visitors a view of the Hale Telescope. Handicapped access is granted to the dome at 9:30 am, 1:00 pm, & 3:45 pm. There is no admission charge to visit the observatory or see the 200-inch Hale Telescope from the visitors gallery.

If you want to get on the other side of the glass, you must join a guided group tour of the 200-inch Hale Telescope.

Tours cover the history and current scientific research of the Palomar Observatory, with a special emphasis on the 200-inch Hale Telescope. Please note that the interior of the 200-inch dome is kept at nighttime temperatures (for an elevation of 5,500 feet!). Dress accordingly. High-heeled shoes are not recommended for the tours. The Palomar Observatory is a research facility. There is no viewing through the Hale Telescope as a part of the tours.

The Observatory offers three types of tours:

  • Tours for educational groups (schools groups, youth groups, astronomy clubs, etc.)
  • Tours for the general public (selected Saturdays only - see below)
  • Tours for members of the Friends of Palomar Observatory

  • Evening tours are also offered through the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center

    Each of the three types of tours is described below.

  • Educational Tours: These guided, daytime tours of the Hale Telescope are conducted on selected Saturdays of each month for educational groups (schools groups, youth groups, astronomy clubs, etc.). Behind-the-Scenes Tours for educational groups are by reservation only. Please note that the tour slots often fill up far in advance. Click here for a full schedule of available tour dates and times. Email sjv@astro.caltech.edu or call 760 742-2111 for further information and to receive a tour request form. Groups may make tour requests even if their date and time of interest is already booked. They will receive a tour spot only if an already-scheduled group cancels. Please be aware, however, that cancellations are very rare.

  • Public Tours: These tours are held only during the months of April through October. The docent-led tours of the 200-inch Hale Telescope will be given twice daily on Saturdays (11:30 am & 1:30 pm) from April through October.

    Tour tickets are sold in the gift shop the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. No prior reservations are taken. Each tour is limited to 25 people each. Tour tickets are $5.00, $3.00 for senior citizens (62 and over), and $2.50 for kids 6 - 16 (under 6 free, but must be closely attended by a parent or guardian). Members of the Friends of Palomar Observatory are able to join these public tours for free but must show their membership card in the gift shop to obtain a ticket. The tour typically lasts just over an hour.

    Please note that tours may be cancelled due to observatory operations or available staffing. Please check this page for updates.

  • Friends of Palomar Observatory Events: Members of the Friends of Palomar Observatory are invited to attend behind-the scenes tours, evening observing events with the Palomar 60-inch telescope and talks by Palomar researchers on selected Saturday evenings (usually May through October). Please note that a Friends of Palomar Observatory membership is required to attend. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required to attend all Friends events.

     

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    Please send your feedback to palomar-info@astro.caltech.edu