Happy Friday everyone!

Here is our local history photo of the week.

The record for this photo states:

Subject: “Glass Disk”

Location: “Corning Glass Center Corning”

The disk in the photo is the original 200″ reflecting telescope disk made for George Ellery Hale in 1934.

The disk was to be installed at the Palomar Observatory in California. And this disk, the first one they created, is imperfect due to the mold cracking as the glass was being poured to create the disk.

So the original disc, seen in the photo is, as it has been for many years, on display at the Corning Museum of Glass.

The second disk they poured did, indeed, go on to be used by the Palomar Observatory — where it is still being used today.

And if you’d like to know more about the disk on display at CMOG and its successor disk that went to the Palomar Observatory – here’s a link to a page on The Corning Museum of Glass website titled “MIRROR TO DISCOVERY: THE 200-INCH DISK AND THE HALE REFLECTING TELESCOPE AT PALOMAR” — where you’ll find more information:

http://www.cmog.org/collection/exhibitions/mirror-to-discovery

And stepping away from the disk discussion for a moment — here’s is an actual local history mystery question!

Does anyone know the identity of the two people seen standing next to the disc in the photo?

Our record doesn’t have that information listed…

Have a great weekend!
Linda, SSCL