Palomar Observatory Sky Survey

Palomar Observatory Sky Survey. The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey was a major astronomical survey conducted by California Institute of Technology using the Oschin Telescope at Palomar Observatory in California. This survey was led by Fritz Zwicky and involved the use of photographic plates to capture images of the night sky. The survey was supported by National Science Foundation and National Geographic Society.

Introduction

The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey was a groundbreaking project that aimed to map the entire night sky in visible light. The survey used the Oschin Telescope, a Schmidt telescope designed by Bernhard Schmidt, to capture images of the sky. The telescope was equipped with photographic plates that were sensitive to blue light and red light. The survey was conducted in collaboration with University of California, Berkeley and University of Chicago. The project involved the use of computers from IBM and Hewlett-Packard to process the large amounts of data generated by the survey.

History

The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey was initiated in the 1940s by Fritz Zwicky and George Abell, who were both astronomers at California Institute of Technology. The survey was conducted over a period of several years, with the first photographic plates being exposed in 1948. The survey was supported by National Science Foundation and National Geographic Society, and involved the use of telescopes from Palomar Observatory and Mount Wilson Observatory. The survey was also supported by Jet Propulsion Laboratory and United States Air Force. The project involved the collaboration of astronomers from University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan.

Survey Details

The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey used the Oschin Telescope to capture images of the night sky in blue light and red light. The survey covered the entire sky visible from Palomar Observatory, which is located at a latitude of 33.4 degrees north. The survey used photographic plates that were 14 inches in diameter, which allowed for the capture of high-resolution images of the sky. The survey was conducted in collaboration with European Southern Observatory and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array. The project involved the use of software from Microsoft and Google to process the large amounts of data generated by the survey.

Observations and Discoveries

The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey made several important astronomical discoveries, including the discovery of dwarf galaxies and quasars. The survey also provided valuable data on the distribution of galaxies in the universe. The survey was used to study the properties of stars and galaxies, and to search for asteroids and comets. The survey was supported by NASA and European Space Agency, and involved the collaboration of astronomers from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. The project involved the use of telescopes from Keck Observatory and Very Large Telescope.

Legacy and Impact

The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey has had a significant impact on our understanding of the universe. The survey provided valuable data on the distribution of galaxies and the properties of stars. The survey also led to the discovery of several important astronomical objects, including dwarf galaxies and quasars. The survey was supported by National Science Foundation and National Geographic Society, and involved the collaboration of astronomers from University of California, Berkeley and University of Chicago. The project involved the use of computers from IBM and Hewlett-Packard to process the large amounts of data generated by the survey.

Technical Specifications

The Palomar Observatory Sky Survey used the Oschin Telescope, which is a Schmidt telescope with a 48-inch primary mirror. The telescope was equipped with photographic plates that were sensitive to blue light and red light. The survey used a camera system designed by Eastman Kodak Company and Kodak. The survey was supported by NASA and European Space Agency, and involved the collaboration of astronomers from University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. The project involved the use of software from Microsoft and Google to process the large amounts of data generated by the survey. The survey was also supported by Jet Propulsion Laboratory and United States Air Force. Category:Astronomical surveys