48-inch (1.2-meter) Samuel Oschin Telescope Media

The following is a collection of media pertaining the Samuel Oschin Telescope, its optical system, as well as its dome for educational and public relations purposes—please see conditions of use. For context, please visit the telescope page linked to above as well as the architecture page. To experience an immersive virtual visit to the Samuel Oschin Telescope, please see our virtual tour page.

The Telescope

At night.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Observing.
(Palomar/Caltech)

In moonlight.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Dome rotation.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Vertical position.
(Palomar/Caltech)

PTF camera.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Corrector plate.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Installing ZTF camera.
(Palomar/Caltech)

ZTF camera.
(Palomar/Caltech)

ZTF filter.
(Palomar/Caltech)

The SOT and ZTF.
(Palomar/Caltech)

The 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope (2020)

Video introducing the history and science of the 48-inch Samuel Oschin Telescope. Duration: 2:18 minutes. (Palomar/Caltech)

The Mirror

72-inch mirror.
(Palomar/Caltech)

72-inch disk.
(Palomar/Caltech)

After recoating.
(Palomar/Caltech)

The Dome

Dome and star trails.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Dome and Orion.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Sunset and full moon.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Sunset.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Façade.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Façade, detail.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Ventilation ports.
(Palomar/Caltech)

North side.
(Palomar/Caltech)

Science

Mapping the Palomar Sky (2024)

The Palomar Schmidt telescopes as pioneering and prolific sky reconnaissance instruments. Duration: 6:20 minutes. (Palomar/Caltech)

The Zwicky Transient Facility (2017)

The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) opens its eyes to the volatile cosmos. Duration: 5:10 minutes. (Caltech)

HPWREN and the Palomar Transient Factory (2009)

A video on the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and the High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network. Duration: 5:25 minutes. (Palomar/Caltech/HPWREN/UCSD)

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Oschin Media / v 1.0.7
Last updated: 22 August 2026 ACM