Samuel Oschin telescope, Schmidt camera telescope at Palomar Observatory, San Diego County, United States.
Description
The Samuel Oschin telescope is a Schmidt-type camera on Palomar Mountain equipped with a 48-inch corrector lens and a large mirror designed for capturing wide views of the sky. The instrument uses specialized optics to photograph expansive regions of the night sky in a single exposure.
History
Construction began in 1939 and the telescope was completed in 1948, later renamed in 1986 to honor philanthropist Samuel Oschin. Its decades-long span of operation bridges mid-20th-century instrumentation with subsequent technological improvements.
Culture
The telescope archive maintains 19,000 photographic glass plates dating from 1949, representing decades of astronomical observations and scientific documentation.
Practical
The observatory sits on a high mountain providing dark skies suitable for observations throughout the year. Visitors should prepare for cooler temperatures, especially during evening observing hours.
Did you know?
Unlike typical telescopes, this instrument works exclusively as a camera without an eyepiece for visual viewing. This design enabled discoveries including the dwarf planet Eris and numerous supernovae across distant galaxies.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (San Diego County).
San Diego Wild Animal Park
31.6 km
Palomar Mountain Observatory
492 m
Palomar Mountain
2.3 km
Hale Telescope
485 m
Lake Hemet
37.7 km
Deer Park Monastery
27.4 km
Warner's Ranch
23.5 km
Otay Mountain Wilderness
26.4 km
Agua Tibia Wilderness
15.5 km
Temecula Valley
29.2 km
Lilac Road Bridge
27.7 km
Skinner Reservoir
31.6 km
Santa Ysabel Asistencia
30.4 km
Alta Vista Gardens
37.2 km
Oak Grove Butterfield Stage Station
7.1 km
Classic Rotors Museum
35.8 km
Lake Hodges Bridge
38.5 km
Palomar Testbed Interferometer
389 m
Yokoji Zen Mountain Center
39.2 km
A.H. Beach House
33.3 km
Escondido Public Library
33.3 km
Temecula's Chapel of Memories
31.2 km
Thomas House
33.4 km
Palomar College Arboretum
37.6 km
Finca y jardines Grand Tradition
35 km
South Coast Winery
26.7 km
Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum
29.8 km
Ramona Grasslands Preserve
36 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes