[AZ-Observing] Re: Pilgrimage to Palomar
- From: chaz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,Dean Ketelsen <ketelsen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2004 22:11:16 -0400
A couple of pics from Nov03 at Palomar. Beautiful drive up, except for dodging
the motorcycles. Too bad I didn't know about contacting Bob Thickston before we
went.
Quoting Dean Ketelsen <ketelsen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> Hi All-
> On my first trip to Palomar about 20 years ago, I tried to get a
> behind-the-scenes look by contacting one of the staff there. Since I was
> coming off employment on Kitt Peak, I asked one of the astronomers on staff
> if he could provide a contact. I was to contact Bob Thickston a day or
> two ahead, and as advertized, he met us at the visitor center, such as it
> was. He led us thru the staff area and basement of the 200" where what
> appeared to be the originals of the Porter drawings lined the walls. We
> walked across the observing floor and he turned on the lights for a couple
> pictures. Then he led us, as well as the collected visitors from behind the
> viewing gallery to the outer catwalk, where he rotated the dome for us as we
> stood there, getting a 360 panorama of the mountaintop. My next interest
> was in seeing the 48" Schmidt and I asked if it would be possible to see
> it, since there is no public access there. He said he had to work on a
> plumbing problem there, and to show up in 45 minutes. At the appointed time
> we showed up and sure enough, only his feet stuck out from under the
> darkroom
> sink at the famous Schmidt. He said "the scope is that way" and we were
> able
> to give ourselves a 15 minute exploration of the dome. It was great having
> the personal guide, even though he didn't spend that much time with us. The
> behind-the-glass access was very nice, though.
> I met Bob again a year or so ago at a Site Manager's meeting here in
> Tucson as they toured the Mirror Lab, where I currently work. He indicated
> that again, if I ever came by to give him a call, and I encourage any of you
> anticipating a trip to Palomar to do the same. If his schedule allows it,
> I'm sure he would do the same for you.
>
> -Dean
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>
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