Palomar Observatory

Palomar Observatory is a world-famous facility for astronomical research. The research at this observatory is still active, yet during a day time, it is open to public and the visitors are allowed to enter and see the huge telescope through a panel of glass - you may not think that it is a telescope... it is that big...
It was one of the places my partner wanted to visit. We made a simple lunch box and took a short trip of 1.5 hour driving to the north of San Diego county, where it is located.

It has been continuing a scorcher day in South California, but here at the top of the Palomar Mountain of altitude 5618ft, the cool breezes prevailed and I could barely stay without a jacket.

Looking up a huge telescope and being content with all the exhibisions that covered all of my queries, I came to know the interesting story about astronomers.

Contrary to my own belief, astronomers do not spend most of their time using with telestopes, and they typically use it only a few days a year. Most of the time, they do prepare in order to make the most of limited time. The preparation includes researching, gathering data and analyzing it, from which they will be able to determine which day would be the best timing to use the telescope in terms of the weather and the observsing target itself.
Furthermore, the astronomers need to win the right to use the telescope. They compete with each other by proving how useful and feasible their observation is, and TAC(Telescope Allocation Committee) will decide and allocate time to the group who acquired the right to use it from a small possibility.

One problem they are currently facing is the light pollution that is threatening this observatory with urbanized surroundings. In addition to the lights from LA and San Diego, nowadays, the casino resorts seem to have been developing in this area by leaps and bounds. It didn't appear to me much of a threat in comparison with the global warming, but still it might not be long before the telescope has to be moved to the other location.