Palomar Observatory

04/30/2026

Ever wondered what life is like at a mountain observatory?

For many of us who live in San Diego, Palomar has been more than just an observatory. It’s been a landmark, a memory, inspiration, and a source of wonder.

We’re looking for people who want to pass that experience on!

Palomar Observatory is recruiting volunteers to join our Docent Program! Our docents lead weekend tours, inspire curious visitors of all ages, and serve as the living connection between our community and one of the world’s great observatories. No astronomy background required.

We’re hosting a Docent Recruitment Day on Saturday, May 30th. The day includes:

Guided tours of the 200” Hale and 48” Oschin Telescopes
Lunch at the Outreach Center (provided!)
An inside look at the docent program and its history

An application is required to attend. Download and fill out the Palomar Docent Application and email it to [email protected] by Saturday May 23rd to reserve your spot. Application and more details about becoming a docent here: https://sites.astro.caltech.edu/palomar/community/docents.html

04/23/2026

This ought to be fun 🤩

04/15/2026

Today! Free online event with my dear friend Patt Morrison of the LA Times.

What can Einstein’s time at Caltech teach us today? Join Techer Live for Einstein: Beyond the Myth, a virtual conversation exploring Albert Einstein’s years in Pasadena and how science, politics, and exile shaped the choices he faced during a turbulent moment in history.

Hear insights from Diana Kormos-Buchwald, director of the Einstein Papers Project, in conversation with Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Patt Morrison.

📅 April 15, 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:15 p.m. PT
💻 Online
🎟 Free

Explore the human story behind one of science’s most iconic figures. Details: alumni.caltech.edu/event/einstein-beyond-the-myth

04/15/2026

Machine learning (a subset of AI, if you will) has been used for years for classification and filtering of large datasets.

04/08/2026

03/25/2026

We’re excited to share a new feature highlighting Prof. Mansi Kasliwal, the newly appointed Director of Palomar Observatory.

In this article, she reflects on her first visit to the mountain, her path from graduate student to director, and her vision for Palomar’s next era — including commissioning next-generation instruments, expanding time-domain astronomy, and training the next generation of scientists. From chasing mysterious cosmic explosions to guiding one of the world’s most iconic observatories, her story underscores why there’s truly no place like the mountain.

Read more about her journey and plans for the future at the link below.

Astronomer Mansi Kasliwal (MS '07, PhD '11) became Palomar Observatory's tenth director in December 2025. She talks about the upgrades underway, the fifteen-year search for…

03/21/2026

I remember loving this map of space mysteries. You can find the Hale at the bottom as the state-of-the-art instrument for solving cosmic mysteries.

Open the actual AO article to see the full map. It’s a good article too.

03/14/2026

Happy Pi Day to all our fellow geeky friends out there. You know who you are 😉