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Finding Aid for the Palomar Observatory motion pictures collection 1935-1996, bulk 1935-1948
10001-Media  
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Collection location Contact California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
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Container List

Box 1, Folder 1-2

Palomar Construction undated (source footage 1935-1948)

Physical Description: 2 video tapes (VHS). Black and White. 56 min

Note

Includes footage of transport, grinding and polishing of the 200-inch mirror and construction of the observatory dome.
Box 2, Folder 1-2

Palomar Historical Footage undated (source footage 1935-1948)

Physical Description: 2 video tapes (VHS). Black and White. 1hr 43 min.

Note

Second half is exact duplicate of video tape "Palomar Construction." First half is similar material: construction, assembly, transport of materials. Video has reddish quality.
Box 3, Folder 1-2

Palomar Archives 1 - Viewing copy undated (source footage 1935-1948)

Physical Description: 2 video tapes (VHS). 33 min. 12 sec.
Box 4, Folder 1-2

Palomar Archives 1 - Screening copy undated (source footage 1935-1948)

Physical Description: 2 video tapes (VHS). 33 min. 12 sec.

Note

This copy is time-coded.
Box 5, Folder 1

Palomar Archives 1 1935-1948

Selected digitized images from this collection.
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Physical Description: 1 film reels, 16mm. Black and White. Circa 40 min.

Note

Edited composite from original footage within the series devoted to construction of the Palomar telescope. Each reel is put together differently, and the material is not in chronological order or subject order. Reel 1 begins at the archway to the Caltech Optical Shop (Caltech campus), with a shot of the mirror already loaded on truck flatbed for transport to Palomar mountain. This is followed by work on the mirror. There follows a sequence of the train carrying the mirror disk (with Pyrex sign) across the country, arriving at the Pasadena station and unloading. Then comes a return to Optical Shop and polishing. There follows an extended sequence on the mountain, which also skips around from dome construction, to road work, to interior shots. Also includes harborside unloading of machinery, transport of same up the mountain road.
Box 5, Folder 2

Palomar Archives 2 1935-1948

Selected digitized images from this collection.
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Physical Description: 1 film reel, 16mm. Black and White. Circa 40 min.

Note

Reel 2 has more continuity than Palomar Archives 1 and is the best continuous footage on the 200-inch mirror. It begins in the Optical Shop with grinding and polishing of the mirror. It follows the mirror through loading onto flatbed truck and transport up the mountain. Following the mirror footage is a sequence of a man with the small model of the 200"-inch telescope. After this, there is a return to the dome interior, then concluding exterior shots. (From the man with the model to the end,the footage duplicates Palomar Construction, film #4. The beginning of the footage--about 31 minutes--is the same as the VHS video titled Palomar Construction. After about 31 minutes the video parts company and goes to Palomar Archives #1.)
Box 5, Folder 3

Palomar Archives 3 1935-1948

Selected digitized images from this collection.
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Physical Description: 1 film reel, 16mm. Black and White. Circa 40 min.

Note

Reel 3 is identical to Palomar Construction footage, nos. 1-3. (See that description.)
Box 6, Folder 1

Palomar Archives 4 1936

Selected digitized images from this collection.
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Physical Description: 1 film reel, 16mm. Black and White. 10 min.

Note

Film footage on the arrival of the 200-inch mirror in Pasadena, with scenes out of sequence. Begins with a shot of the archway to Caltech Optical Shop; people milling around, press people with cameras; mirror transport down Colorado Boulevard; train in station, lifting mirror off with crane to truck flatbed. This footage is similar to that on Palomar Archives #1-3, but not identical.
Box 7, Folder 1-4

Palomar Construction 1935-1948

Physical Description: 4 film reels, 16mm. Black and White

Note

Raw footage, probably unedited. Largely a chronological documentary of the Palomar 200-inch telescope construction. Reels 1-3 are all incorporated on the large reel, Palomar Archives 3. Portions of reel 4 are on Palomar Archives 2.
Box 8, Folder 1-2

Palomar Project Progress 1935-1948

Physical Description: 2 film reels, 16mm. Black and White. 80 min.

Note

Edited composite from original footage. Appears identical to Palomar Archives 1 & 2.
Box 9, Folder 1-8

The Story of Palomar 1948

Selected digitized images from this collection.
view online item

Physical Description: 8 videos (Video tape, 3/4", Beta SP, Beta Pal, VHS, DVD). 40 mins.

Note

Video tape and DVD copies of the feature film, The Story of Palomar (see that description below, under 16 mm film version).
Box 10, Folder 1-12

The Story of Palomar 1948

Physical Description: 12 film reels, 16mm. Color. 40 mins. in total.

Note

Feature film produced and copyrighted 1948, Caltech. Produced by E. Hoge and S. Zipser for Caltech. About the building and use of the 200-inch telescope. Includes footage of Edwin Hubble, Milton Humason, Bruce Rule, Russell W. Porter, Max Mason, John Anderson, Marcus Brown, Lee A. DuBridge, Ira Bowen and technicians working on mirror. With sky picture and animation sequences demonstrating how an optical (reflecting) telescope works.
Box 11, Folder 1

Outtakes: Story of Palomar 1948

Physical Description: 1 film reels, 16mm. Color. Circa 15 min.

Note

Raw footage similar to that used in The Story of Palomar; possibly outtakes or part of a set of work prints for that project.
Box 12, Folder 1-10

Palomar Stock Footage I 1960-1969

Physical Description: 10 film reels, 16mm. Color

Note

Raw footage centering on the operation of the 200-inch telescope. Damaged.
Box 13, Folder 1-10

Palomar work print 1960-1969

Physical Description: 10 film reels, 16mm. Color

Note

Includes views of the telescope and an astronomer in a red and black plaid shirt getting into viewing cage and loading plates. The same astronomer (wearing the same shirt) appears in the feature film The Universe from Palomar(see description below); possibly these are work prints from that production.
Box 14, Folder 1

Mount Palomar Footage (Rossi, CBS) 1964

Physical Description: 1 film reel, 35mm. Black and White

Note

Source unknown.
Box 15, Folder 1-3

The Universe from Palomar 1967

Physical Description: 3 video tapes (Beta SP, VHS, VHS-PAL). Color. 30 min.

Note

Video tapes copies of the feature film produced by NET Science in cooperation with Caltech and Carnegie Institution of Washington/Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories (see full description below, 16 mm film).
Box 16, Folder 1-3

The Universe from Palomar 1967

Selected digitized images from this collection.
view online item

Physical Description: 3 film reels, 16mm. Color. 30 min.

Note

Feature film produced by NET Science in cooperation with Caltech and Carnegie Institution of Washington/Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories; David Prowitt, Executive Producer. Covers both the history of the building of the telescope, especially the 200-inch mirror, and the operation of the telescope from its dedication until the date of the film. Includes footage of the casting of the mirror at Corning. Astronomers who appear in the film are Ira Bowen (who also narrates), Edwin Hubble, Milton Humason, Bruce Rule; also footage of Russell Porter and some of his drawings. There are voiceovers by George McCauley and Melvin Johnson.
Box 17, Folder 1-7

Palomar Stock Footage II 1968

Selected digitized images from this collection.
view online item

Physical Description: 7 film reels, 16mm. Color

Note

Raw footage. Reels match the set titled Palomar Stock Footage I but the set is incomplete.
Box 18, Folder 1

Palomar Archives 1 1996

Physical Description: 1 video tape (Beta SP). 33 min. 12 sec.

Note

Video tape copy of 16 mm film described above.
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