Winter Wonderland

Winter weather has been pounding Palomar Mountain the last few days & nights. There's been just 5 hours of observing time logged over the last 5 nights - compare that with the 38 hours logged in the previous 3 nights. The photo above shows an impressive snowdrift against the big doors on the dome that houses the 200-inch Hale Telescope. The small entrance door was actually frozen shut this morning. More snow, rain and fog is likely to negatively impact the next several nights.

Of course this kind of weather is bad for astronomy, but good for the forests of Palomar Mountain. After several years of drought and intense fires last fall a little rain or snow now and then can be a welcome sight.

I'll post more snow pics tomorrow if conditions permit.