An advanced telescope imaging system that started taking data in June 2012 is the first of its kind capable of spotting planets orbiting suns outside of our solar system. The collaborative set of high-tech instrumentation and software, called Project 1640, is now operating on the Hale telescope at the Palomar Observatory near San Diego, after more than six years of development. Read more
The 200-inch (510 cm) Hale Telescope saw first light on January 26, 1949 under the direction of American astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble, targeting NGC 2261, an object also known as Hubble's Variable Nebula. The photographs made then were published in the astronomical literature and in the May 7, 1949 issue of Collier's Magazine. Read more
Innovative deformable mirror for Palomar Observatory
A new 4356-actuator optical element will enable direct extrasolar-planet studies when combined with an innovative adaptive optics system.
Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) developing a ground-breaking adaptive optics (AO) instrument have recently taken delivery of a 4356-actuator deformable mirror. With 1.8mm interactuator pitch and more than 1.1m of surface stroke, it has now been confirmed fully operable following acceptance testing at Caltech's Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Read more
On the 2nd December, 1934, Corning Glass Works successfully cast the 200-inch mirror for what would become the Hale Telescope on Palomar Mountain. Read more
Two small earthquakes struck within hours of each other yesterday morning in a remote area of the Cleveland National Forest north of Palomar Mountain. The first quake, at 4:35 a.m., was measured at a 4.1 magnitude. A second earthquake with a 3.8 magnitude was reported in the same location about five hours later...