Unreal PlaneWave 1-meter Telescope Install at Palomar!

Unreal experience as we installed a PlaneWave 1-meter telescope at the historic Palomar Observatory. Palomar has been at the cutting edge of astronomical research since it's founding in 1936, especially since the massive 5.1-meter (200 inch) Hale Telescope received first light in 1949. The renowned location felt as if each telescope could tell an incredible story from all the brilliant minds who used them. We are honored to be a part of Palomar's story!
#planewaveinstruments #astronomy #science

[@astronomynotebook]

And He said…”Let there me light” ❤️

[@palomarobservatory]

We love this!! Thanks Matt!!

[@MattDieterich]

Glad you guys like it! Was a pleasure working at the observatory!

[@TheMje1963]

That's where I got my first real look at the stars when I was a kid back in the early 70's

[@MattDieterich]

The skies had to be impressive before the light pollution encroached.

[@digit975]

Wow this is not only an awesome insight into this incredible piece of equipment but a very well done video edit. You deserve way more subscribers!

[@MattDieterich]

Glad you enjoy the video. Always a treat putting together our equipment for astronomers!

[@marcosastrophotography100]

Absolutely breathtaking, thank you so much for showing 😍✨🔭

[@MattDieterich]

Thanks for watching Marco!

[@miroslavk.5049]

Hi Matt, have you seen finally also the 200-inch scope? You did not mention it anymore in this video. What a beautiful scope you have installed at Palomar, kind of dream scope for amateurs, unfortunately.

[@MattDieterich]

Luckily one of the MIT astronomers took me to see the Hale 200". He said he used to work on that scope back while in grad school! The size of the Hale is absolutely insane... plus it is equatorial!

[@miroslavk.5049]

@@MattDieterich, It has to be a lifetime experience indeed. I would love to see it one day. The largest scope I had an opportunity to see was 2m reflector at Ondrejov observatory in Czech Republic and 1.2m refractor (yes, refractor) at Potsdam observatory in then Eastern Germany. The refractor blew me out, of course, it was a monster scope. I was wondering if there is an option to visit one of those monster scopes in Chile, can´t imagine an 8m scope size. Have you had a chance to see one of those like VLT or similar?

[@MattDieterich]

@@miroslavk.5049 seeing a 1.2m refractor would be incredible. I cannot even imagine how much that telescope would weigh from all that glass! I have seen the Gemini South over on Cerro Pachon in Chile and that primary mirror is incredible. Impressive that we as humans can design and assemble such massive works of art =)

[@miroslavk.5049]

@@MattDieterich Can you imagine that ELT they are building in Chile now? How big is that one - 39.3m? This is just completely out of my imagination, my 120mm refractor will be kind of finder scope for that beast.

[@MattDieterich]

@@miroslavk.5049 The GMT I know is also a work in progress, will use 7 x 8m mirrors for the primary =)

[@gregghallinan]

Very cool video! I'll be installing a CDK500 about 200m away from that telescope in the spring, so there will soon be two Planewave telescopes on the mountain.

[@MattDieterich]

That is awesome Gregg! Let me know if you need help with the install =)

[@youlihawaii]

cool