Welcome to
Young's Photo Gallery
James W. Young, Professional Photographer
Photographic History of Table Mountain
Observatory
Part 8: Odds and Ends - Potpourri
By James W. Young
retired astronomer from Table Mountain Observatory
The following imagery shows some of the original Smithsonian roads, vehicles, and snow
plows used to keep the site open in wintertime weather conditions - 1924, and into
the 1930s/1940s. The remaining images show many of the people, as well as various
winter snow accumulations and storm damage as recorded by the author until 2008.
Seven different views of the roads and vehicles/snowplows used for getting to and working
on Table Mountain under the early Smithsonian occupation - 1928-1935.
Removing many trees from the site yielded a great deal of firewood which was used for
the residence cooking stoves, heating, and fireplaces. It was stacked around the site's
very old tree (still standing in in the 2010s).
In the late 1930s, some of the Smithsonian staff put together a huskie dog team.
The snow plow in the 1940s
The Greeleys and Butlers skiing on site in the 1940s.
Although this image of the old outhouse was taken in 1964 by the author, it was used
from the late 1930s for visiting people, including James Edson's Planet Group in 1940.
Earl Ivie blowing snow on the new JPL-leased site in 1966.
The Los Angeles County road crews had a contractual agreement to plow the road to the
site from the lower Table Mountain skiers' parking lot - 1965 to 1990s.
Dave Spooner, and the JPL military vehicle for site business in 1971. Spooner was the
first security person at JPL's Table Mountain.
The old military vehicle was replaced with this Ford truck that served from 1972. It
was also fitted with a winter snow plow blade.
The original 8-foot radio science dish on a portable mount in 1973.
Dan Sidwell (the new site manager that replaced Earl Ivie in 1976) finds a fairly large
rattlesnake in 1978.
Winter storms brought down several trees in the mid 1980s. They were usually removed
after the snow melted in the springtime.
The author with his full radio setup for the Halley's Comet 'Special Event Station' used
from November 1985 to April 1986, communicating to over 4300 people in 114 different
countries, and all 50 states. The author mailed over 2000 responses with a certificate of
participation, a sticker, a photograph of the comet, and a QSL confirmation card. Every
responding participant received the following items via USPS mail:
CERTIFICATE
STICKER
COMET PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN AT TMO
QSL CONFIRMATION CARD
In the foreground is the site's Atmospheric Visible Monitor (AVM) facility established in
1987. It became TM-24A. To the right is TM-24, the Schmidt camera facility.
The AVM had a roll-off roof to expose the telescope instrumentation.
The AVM was a remotely controlled telescope that monitored star images in both daylight
and nighttime hours.
Dan Sidwell at his site manager's office in 1998.
A security gate at the skier's parking lot discouraged the public from driving to the site
itself in 2000.
The University of California at San Diego placed a 12-inch transit telescope in this new
building (TM-25) in the 1990s. The instrument was used to accurately time the daily
meridian transits of both Uranus and Neptune.
Donald Young, the astronomy supervisor, was honored with an informal place on the site
called 'Don's Deck'. He was also honored with an asteroid named for his numerous
years in establishing so much of the site's optical astronomical needs (both staff and
equipment).
One of the bigger snow storms in March 1991. TM-12 is in the background.
Tony Grigsby, optical astronomy's new electronics technician in 2002.
Frank Adame, the site's senior security staff member shown here at his office in 2002.
Frank Tocco, another security staff member and experienced 'Bobcat' worker in 2002.
The old Ford truck gave way to this new 'Cat' snowplow and general use vehicle in 2000.
This new 'Cat' also had a snow blower attachment, and used when needed in 2002.
Michelle Colgan, the facility's secretary in 2002.
Replacing the retired Don Young, Gil Clark oversaw the optical astronomy needs in 2003.
Here he is with his wife, Mary (and her harp) at the 2003 Christmas party.
A serious wind and snow storm lashed Table Mountain in January 2005. A major tree was
partially toppled, blocking the site's main access road. Bruce Williamson is seen here
clearing some of the tree debris off the road.
The partial tree damage.
Deronda Mayes, assistant staff astronomer, is seen here on the downed tree parts.
An additional three feet of snow blanketed the headquarters building in February 2005.
Another surprise snow storm buried this site vehicle in January 2008.
Bruce Williamson, site's machinist and snow blower operator, shown here in 2008.
Dave Dubler, Bobcat operator, shown here in late 2008 clearing the road to TM-2/12.
End of Part 8
