Palomar Observatory's Educational Mission and Partners
A key element in Palomar Observatory's strategic mission is sharing its research program with the broader community. Consequently a vibrant and inclusive education and public outreach program is an important part of Observatory life. Our program involves Palomar staff, astronomers, volunteers, visitors, and astronomy enthusiasts. In doing so we hope to foster enthusiasm for science and engineering in students across all levels and educational institutions, and promote public awareness of the role the Observatory has played in astronomy and Southern California history.
Palomar Observatory conducts tours and hosts demonstrations, star parties and presentations for educational institutions throughout the region. We define "educational institutions" broadly to include not only grade schools, high schools, and colleges, but scout troops and other youth organizations as well.
Under this broad definition, the following is a partial list of the educational organizations with which we have established partner relationships over the last six months:
In addition, as part of our general outreach program, we maintain relationships with Griffith Observatory, Julian Starfest, Mt. Wilson Observatory, Riverside Telescope Makers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Temecula Valley Astronomers, San Diego Astronomy Association, and the International Dark-Sky Association among others.
In serving these and other organizations, the core of our outreach community resides in a group of 40 who volunteer their time in support of the tours and other activities of Palomar's outreach program. In 2013:
And, therefore, the Observatory can make speakers available to groups throughout the area. We tailor presentations to the interests of a particular audience. Even so, there is a standard set of discussion topics that includes the history of Palomar Observatory, the science of Palomar Observatory, and light pollution’s impact upon the Observatory and its neighbors.
For more information regarding this program, contact Steve Flanders at sbf [at] astro.caltech.edu.
The Universe as seen by the Palomar telescopes is available through Google Sky and Microsoft's World Wide Telescope. The digitized images of the photographic surveys conducted with the 48-inch (1.2-meter) Samuel Oschin Telescope provide a significant part of the optical wavelength imagery used by both virtual sky exploratory tools.
Please send your feedback to palomar-info at astro.caltech.edu