200-Inch Telescope on Mount Palomar

The 200-inch telescope on Mount Palomar in southern California was the world’s largest telescope for many years, housed in a huge revolving dome weighing 1,000 tons.  It was constructed due to the perseverance of George Ellery Hale, the astronomical entrepreneur behind the 40-inch Yerkes telescope, as well as the the 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes at Mount Wilson.  Construction of the telescope started in 1936, but was delayed by World War II, and finally completed in 1948.  Unfortunately Hale died in 1938 and never saw completion of his greatest achievement.  The small door in the dome housing the telescope illustrates its vast size.