Under the dome of Heaven

Saburosan
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Under the dome of Heaven
Under the dome of Heaven

The 36" Refractor was constructed at the behest of James Lick, a wealthy California businessman. The telescope was constructed in the 1880s and saw first light in January 1888. James Lick is interred at the base of the 36" telescope pier, making the dome and telescope his tomb and memorial. At the time of its construction, the 36" Refractor was the largest telescope in the world and remains the second largest refractor ever constructed. Today, the telescope is occasionally used for scientific observations, but is primarily used for education and public outreach.

The two 36" diameter lenses of the telescope are made of crown and flint glass and were ground by Alvin Clark and Sons of Boston. The mount of the telescope was built by Warner and Swasey Co. in Cleveland, Ohio. The focal length of the telescope is 57.8 ft (694 inches or 1763.0 cm) and the focal ratio is f/19.3. The open lower tube diameter of 12 inches gives a field of view of 59.3 arcminutes.

The 36" Refractor is not a computer controlled telescope and has only tracking motors; the telescope must be slewed by hand. The nautical spoked wheels on the pedestal are for steering the telescope.

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Taken on: May 6, 2017
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