What is a typical day like at the Observatory?
The day observer goes on duty roughly at 4:30 am, when the night observer sleepily wanders off to bed. The day observer usually hosts three or four radio shows in the morning, disseminates various weather information and performs the daily “walkaround” to ensure all systems are operating satisfactorily. This is in addition to answering frequent phone calls, conducting hourly weather observations and monitoring ongoing research work. Other tasks include record keeping, maintenance and general housekeeping jobs, and occasionally search and rescue responsibilities. The night observer’s duties are essentially the same, although without the radio shows, but adding in additional paperwork to compile an official summary of the day’s meteorological events.
