Palomar Mountain News

<<< Update May 10, 2024: This was one of the many free events for the public invited to Palomar for a front row seat for Star Gazing.  So fun to meet people from around SoCal, parked along East Grade Road.  They brought their kids, neighbors and picnic and Palomar produced a beautiful clear sky for the event.  >>>

The public was invited to join the fun on the East Grade July 18th, 2020.  Mike Pique offered to bring his fancy binoculars back, plus set up his telescope along with others from a San Diego astronomy club.  So many instruments and everyone was so willing to share.

Thanks to Mike for his Big Dipper photo from a few nights ago.  He took it with an 8 second exposure as the International Space Station went by at 9:22 in the middle of the Big Dipper.  That space station is 17,000 miles from earth!!!  You can also see the comet right above the horizon.  The ISS moves so fast it showed up as a streak during the 8 seconds. Click for a few more photos from Mike.  Here are some more of our fun evening:

Directions from the top of the mountain:

About 7:30 or 8:00 pm meet down the East Grade, to the right, at the 7.2 mile marker. Mike and others will be parked on the south side of the road.

As the stars come out, there are lots of beautiful sights to see.  You’d appreciate a jacket and maybe a folding chair. Bring binoculars if you have them. If you arrive after dark, we’re asked to be considerate with car lights and park only on the south side of the road.  You should be able to pull in just fine out of the road.  The comet starts showing up a little before 9 pm, looking over the Dyche Valley, up toward Birch Hill and Conifer Road.

Hope you can take advantage of this mountain event that is open to the public! Everyone welcome!