Tour the Hale

Our weekend tours of the Hale Telescope begin again in one week.

Taking one of these tours gives you an inside look at 200-inch telescope. The tours take about an hour and explain how the telescope was built, how works, who uses it & more. This is your chance to see the Big Eye in person.

These tours are held on Saturdays & Sundays during the months of April through October. Tour tickets are sold in the observatory gift shop the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. No prior reservations are taken. Tour times are 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tour tickets are $5.00. The tour is not recommended for children under six years of age.

Remember that the dome is kept at nighttime temperatures. It is best to bring a warm layer or two, especially in early spring.

Many of these tours are led by our volunteer docents. We are always in the market for more people who want to help tell Palomar's incredible stories. Are you interested in joining the team?