National Geographic Society, Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (NGS-POSS) photographs, 1954-1977, bulk 1954-1960

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Summary

Creators:

Abstract:

This collection consists of photographs from the National Geographic Society – Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (NGS-POSS). From 1948 to 1958 astronomers at the California Institute of Technology's Palomar Observatory used a 48-inch Schmidt Telescope to create this sky survey, at the time the most advanced sky survey ever. The survey detected objects of a magnitude of +22, one million times fainter than the limits of human vision. The NGS-POSS collection of photographic negative prints was published multiple times through the 1950s-1970s and scanned into the Digitized Sky Survey in the 1990s. The collection includes a set of prints measuring 14x17" from the photograph atlas, as well as a written survey guide and catalog of plates.

Extent:

8 Linear Feet (10 boxes)

Language:

English .

Preferred citation:

National Geographic Society, Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (NGS-POSS) photographs. MS-M032. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:: This collection consists of photographs from the National Geographic Society – Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (NGS-POSS). From 1948 to 1958 astronomers at the California Institute of Technology's Palomar Observatory used a 48-inch Schmidt Telescope to create this sky survey, at the time the most advanced sky survey ever. The survey detected objects of a magnitude of +22, one million times fainter than the limits of human vision. The NGS-POSS collection of photographic negative prints was published multiple times through the 1950s-1970s and scanned into the Digitized Sky Survey in the 1990s. The collection includes a set of prints measuring 14x17" from the photograph atlas, as well as a written survey guide and catalog of plates.
Acquisition information:: Transfered from Virginia Trimble, Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Rules or conventions:: Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:: The collection has not been processed. It may contain restricted materials. Please contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access.
Terms of access:: Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.