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Archival Resources
Any enterprise as long and distinguished as Palomar Observatory leaves a rich historical record. Archival researchers may find both Caltech and other archival resources summarized and linked here and organized by type: scientific data/metadata, publications, and historical collections.
Scientific Data and Metadata
Palomar Telescope Logbooks
In an ongoing effort led by Jean Mueller, the Caltech Library, and funded by the Riesenfeld family, a collection of telescope logbooks (spanning the years 1936 – 2012) have been scanned and made available online. The Caltech Archives' logbook database contains metadata and more information on this invaluable resource.
Digitized Sky Survey
The Palomar Sky Surveys (POSS I and II) and Quick-V were digitized between 1983 and 2006 as part of the STScI Digitized Sky Survey project—a set of all-sky photographic surveys conducted with the Palomar and UK Schmidt telescopes. The 6.5° × 6.5° plates were scanned to a pixel scale of about 1.7 arcsec/px for the POSS I and Quick-V, and to about 1.0 arcsec/px for POSS II. Images of any part of the sky may be extracted from the DSS, in either FITS or GIF format. More information under their FAQ.
Carnegie Observatories Plate Archive
The Carnegie Observatories Plate Vault is home to the second largest collection of astronomical glass plates in the US. The plates (spanning the years 1892 – 1994) were created using telescopes at the Kenwood, Mt. Wilson, Palomar, and Las Campanas Observatories. Use their Plate Archives Search Tool (PAST) to search based on celestial coordinates or by keywords in the various database fields, and filter by relevant Palomar telescope. There are nearly 8000 Palomar plates at the Carnegie Observatories.
Publications
CaltechAUTHORS, a Caltech Library repository of over 100,000 research papers authored by Caltech researchers, maintains a list of Palomar-related publications (1937 – ). Use the advanced search tool to fine-tune your search.
Observatory History Resources
Caltech Library and Archives
The Caltech Archives, a department of Caltech Library, contains the largest collection of administrative papers, audiovisuals, and photographs documenting Palomar's early years, many of these available online from their website. The Caltech Archives is also the home of the famous R. W. Porter drawings and sketches of the observatory. Selected links:
- Palomar-related collections and items (~ 900 results)
- Palomar Observatory photographs (~ 1000 results)
- Palomar Observatory annual reports (1988 – 1995)
- Caltech (Engineering & Science) Magazine Palomar-related entries (1937 – )
Huntington Library
The Huntington Library is one of the best collections of centuries-old rare books in the US. It is the repository of the George E. Hale papers, and contains a large number of photographs pertaining to the 60-inch telescope construction and dedication. Selected links:
- Palomar-related collections and items
- Palomar digital files (mostly photographs)
Rockefeller Archive Center
The Rockefeller Archive Center contains correspondence, memos and other administrative records related to the financing of Palomar Observatory, including the Max Mason papers. Selected links:
- Palomar-related collections
- Photographs
- International Education Board records (1926 – 1931)
- International Education Board records (1926 – 1931)
- General Education Board records (1932 – 1934)
- General Education Board records (1932 – 1934)
- General Education Board records (1935 – 1958)
Hagley Museum and Library
The Hagley Museum and Library documents business and technology in the US. Hagley is home to the Westinghouse collection of drawings and photographs related to the construction of the Hale Telescope mount. Browse their digital files on the Hale Telescope.
USC Libraries
University of Southern California Libraries collection of Palomar photographs.
Online Archive of California
The Online Archive of California provides detailed descriptions of primary resource collections maintained by more than 300 contributing institutions throughout California. OAC list of Palomar-related collections.
Internet Archive
The Internet Archive is a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. The internet archive contains a short list of Palomar audiovisuals, including old stock footage. Each item may contain specific copyright information.
Corning Museum of Glass
The Rakow Research Library at the Corning Museum of Glass contains images and papers related to the casting of the Palomar mirrors (mostly the 200-inch) by Corning Glass Works. Browse their collection of Palomar-related items (some have been digitized).
San Diego History Center
The Photograph Collection within the San Diego History Center’s Research Archives contains over 2.5 million images, one of the largest regional photography collections in the United States. Images pertaining Palomar Observatory can be browsed in this gallery. The article Palomar, After 50 Years by author Ronald Florence also has a short but compelling image collection. See also this list of construction photographs.
Life Magazine Images
Google Arts and Culture has made available a small collection of outstanding Palomar-related photographs taken for Life Magazine. Photographers include Margaret Bourke-White, J. R. Eyerman, and Peter Stackpole.
Getty Images
Getty-managed images of the observatory, from mid-century and later.
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Archival Resources / v 1.0.2
Last updated: 4 July 2024 ACM
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