The Samuel Oschin Telescope is a significant astronomical instrument located at the Palomar Observatory in California. Here are some key details about this telescope:
- Type: The Samuel Oschin Telescope is a Schmidt Camera, which is known for its wide-field imaging capabilities. This type of telescope uses a spherical primary mirror and a correcting lens (Schmidt plate) to eliminate spherical aberration.
- Construction:
- It was constructed between 1938 and 1948 by Perkin-Elmer and Corning Inc. for the mirror.
- The telescope was originally known as the 48-inch Schmidt telescope due to its 48-inch correcting plate.
- Discovery and Observations:
- Renaming:
- Upgrades and Modifications:
- In the early 2000s, the telescope was equipped with the QUEST Camera, enabling it to conduct surveys for supernovae, variable stars, and other transient phenomena.
- It has been further upgraded to work with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), which enhances its ability to detect fast-moving objects and transient events in the night sky.
- Legacy:
- The Samuel Oschin Telescope continues to contribute to astronomical research, particularly in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics, by providing data for various sky surveys and research programs.
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