Explore Palomar Observatory: The home to Hale telescope
Imagine a place, where you can sit for an entire day and observe how stars, planets and other celestial bodies move. Isn’t that exciting? Well, such places do exist in reality. They are known as observatories. As most of you know, many stars are not visible to naked human eyes though quite a few are. The ones that remain hidden can only be seen through a telescope. An observatory is a place equipped with various kinds of telescopes and other sky-gazing instruments, where astronomers observe and study all kinds of meteorological and other natural phenomena.
Some of the most popular observatories around the globe include Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, Gemini Observatory in Chile and Rujm-el Hiri Observatory in Israel. However, the California-based Palomar Observatory is by far the most well-recognised observatories in the world. The reason? Well, it’s home to the world-famous 200-inch Hale telescope, that happens to be one of the largest telescopes worldwide.
The legacy of Palomar Observatory
The fact that USA is always one step ahead in the space race is a universally known fact. So, it’s no surprise that there are many observatories spread across this continent. However, if you visit California, you will be able to catch a glimpse of the most well-known one: The Palomar Observatory situated northeast of San Diego on top of the Palomar Mountain range. This observatory was conceived in the late 19th century. However, it was constructed and expanded in the early 20th century (1928) by contemporary astronomer George Ellery Hale. His intention was to develop an astronomical research observatory in America, a place that will also serve as a laboratory to manufacture large-sized and modernised telescopes.
Owned by the California Institute of Technology, Palomar continues to engage in cutting-edge astronomical research, revealing to us some of the most astonishing features of the outer space like exoplanets (planets existing outside the solar system), supernovae (explosion of stars) and Kuiper Belt Objects (objects such as minor planets that are found in a region in space outside of the solar system). Each of it is an exemplary astronomical landmark in its own right.
The Hale Telescope
If you are fascinated by celestial objects, then you have probably heard about Hale Telescope. This 200-inch telescope is one among the many that are housed in the Palomar Observatory. It was built in between 1928 and 1949 by Palomar founder George Hale himself, in collaboration with Rockefeller Foundation.
Since its inception, Hale Telescope, which weighs 530 tonnes, has been one of the premier instruments for astronomers all over the globe. Originally built using normal mirrors, the Hale telescope at present has been upgraded with modern and adaptive optics system, that has enabled it to capture a clearer image. Do you know from where this giant telescope ‘keeps an eye’ on the universe? A flat peak upon Mount Palomar, no less!