Touring the Big Eye

Two years ago yesterday marked the anniversary of the beginning our first program of Saturday tours for the general public. Now that it is April again it is time for the new season of tours to begin.

The tours are available every Saturday (and only on Saturdays) from April through October (except the occasional time when observatory operations may get in the way) at 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale in the Observatory Gift Shop on the day of the tour and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The tickets only cost $5 for adult (less for seniors and kids) and in my biased opinion are a fantastic deal.

The tour is a guided hour (often more) that leads up from the visitor center, into the dome for the 200-inch telescope, on to the observing floor and (weather permitting) out onto the outside catwalk. 2 or more docents lead the tour and explain the epic story of how the big telescope was built, how it is used now and what other kinds research is taking place at Palomar.

Visitor response has been overwhelmingly positive with rave reviews and almost all tours selling out. If you get the chance, come join us on a tour.