On Oct 29, 2003, at 3:59 PM, john gleason wrote:
> Just learned over the news that Palomar Mountian has been evacuated.
> No mention of the observatory.
Not to worry: this from the astro list....
> Caltech News Release
> For Immediate Release
> October 29, 2003
>
> Palomar Observatory Expected To Weather Fire Storm
>
> PALOMAR MOUNTAIN, Calif. - The tragic fires that continue to affect San
> Diego County remind us all just how fragile life and property can be.
> Currently fires are slowly approaching the area of Palomar Mountain,
> home to the California Institute of Technology's historic Palomar
> Observatory.
>
> Smoke and ash from the fires have put a temporary end to the
> Observatory's nightly observations, but the Observatory itself is not
> threatened. In fact the dome of the 200-inch telescope is a safe place
> for
> and has been selected as an evacuation point for the Palomar Mountain
> Community .
>
> "The builders of Palomar realized the potential fire danger and
> designed the
> 200-inch Hale Telescope to survive a fire. It is constructed with two
> layers
> of concrete and steel. Also, in recent months our maintenance staff
> along
> with foresters have removed dead and dying trees from the Observatory
> grounds. We are prepared for the worst," says Palomar Observatory's
> superintendent, Bob Thicksten. It doesn't hurt that the Observatory has
> its own million gallon water tank, an array of fire hydrants and staff
> members who double as volunteer firefighters as well. Thicksten has
> worked
> tirelessly to maintain a working relationship with the local fire
> department, the United States Forest Service and the California
> Department
> of Forestry (CDF), which has its own fire station less than half a mile
> from the Observatory's main gate.
>
> The Palomar Observatory will issue further press statements as
> necessary.
-- Bill Arnett bill@No-Spam http://nineplanets.org/ Emerald Hills CA USA 37 27 N 122 15 W