The Palomar Observatory in Southern California, known for its iconic 200-inch Hale Telescope, has recently made a surprising announcement. The kitchen that once served astronomers with elegant sit-down meals during their observing runs has been closed due to cost concerns, as revealed by the California Institute of Technology in May.
This decision marks the end of a cherished tradition in astronomy, where astronomers would gather over dinner to brainstorm, share stories, and simply enjoy each other’s company on cloudy nights. The closure of the kitchen means that astronomers staying at the Monastery, the lodge where observers reside during their telescope usage, will now have to make do with frozen meals that they can heat up on their own.
For many astronomers, like Rebecca Oppenheimer from the American Museum of Natural History, the Monastery and its dinners held a special place in their hearts. The dinners, prepared and served with care, provided a warm and inviting atmosphere where researchers from different backgrounds and projects could come together and form friendships. Even on nights when the stars were hidden behind clouds, the camaraderie shared over a meal at the Monastery was a highlight of their time at Palomar.
The closure of the kitchen at Palomar Observatory represents a significant shift in the observatory’s culture and traditions. While the focus of astronomers at Palomar will continue to be on the groundbreaking research conducted with the telescopes, the loss of the communal dinners signals the end of an era where scientific collaboration was intertwined with shared meals and conversations.
As astronomers adapt to this change and embrace the new dining arrangements at Palomar, the memories of past dinners at the Monastery will undoubtedly hold a special place in the hearts of those who had the privilege of experiencing them. The legacy of the cosmic restaurant at Palomar Observatory will live on in the stories and connections forged over meals shared under the starry skies of Southern California.
