https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/b2abf280-3ca0-4f20-9e60-9c5ce6c2aa8d Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddem5RlB3bQe99wyY49g0g/join Help us preserve, scan and post more rare and endangered films! Join us on Patreon. Visit https://www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Visit our website www.PeriscopeFilm.com This educational film titled “reaching for the Stars” features the construction of Lick Observatory's 120 inch telescope by Judson Pacific-Murphy Corporation. Lick Observatory is the University of California’s astronomical observatory resting on the summit of Mount Hamilton in the Diablo range east of San Jose. The observatory is named after James Lick; a philanthropic carpenter and piano maker. It is the first permanently occupied mountain top observatory constructed in classic revival style. The observatory was attributed with first sighting the fifth moon of Jupiter in 1892 and in 1905; the 6th and 7th moons. In 1936, University of California astronomers decided to craft this 120 inch reflector telescope for the observatory. Construction was contracted to Judson Pacific-Murphy Corporation of Emeryville California and its associated subcontractors. (Judson was an offshoot of the Pacific Rolling Mill Company, which was the West’s first iron and steel producing foundry, founded in 1866. ) Telescopes at Lick Observatory are currently used by researchers from many campuses of the University of California system. Current topics of research carried out at Lick include exoplanets, supernovae, active galactic nuclei, planetary science, and development of new adaptive optics technologies. Opening footage show construction and transportation of the crane from the Emeryville Plant to the Observatory. It continues to show the erection and installation of the new telescope. Dark footage opens from within and around the observatory (:14). Mount Hamilton (1:30) peers over Santa Clara valley. History of the observatory begins on July 23, 1880. Sourcing materials was particularly difficult; supplies had to be moved up 19 miles of inclined mountain side. Shots of the dome of the follow (2:13). Judson Pacific submitted the only bid (2:18) and was thus awarded the contract. Work on the telescope began in July of 1953. An astronomer adjusts the telescope (2:24). Heavy steel components were fabricated (2:34) at the Emeryville Plant (2:38). A 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan (2:49) escorts moving parts. The telescope makes its way to the observatory (2:50). In January of 1954; Judson's field forces arrive (2:59) to cart the base frame up the mountain side. Telescope and workers arrive at Lick Observatory (3:29). Close shots pass over the base frame (3:39). The crane drags the base up (3:54). A view runs down the hollow cylindrical steel polar axle (4:17). The yoke (4:32) is hoisted into position (5:07). Fork arms; fabricated by Judson Pacific Murphy Corp (5:20) are jockeyed through the small hatchway (5:28). The fork is rotated (6:28). The hydraulic pumping system (6:50) forces oil pressure. The tube is raised on the floor (7:45). Workers push the upper half; the heart, into place (7:51). The tube is rotated by a large gear (8:13). Declination gear (8:18), prime focus cage and observer cell are highlighted (9:20). The four ton gear was manufactured at the Lynnwood factory (10:01). The right ascension cradle (10:34) was manufactured by Oakland Machine Works. Engineers march through the snow (12:04) as the season changes and project continues. The model points out the mirror stands at the end of the tube (12:32). The 4 ton mirror is raised into place (12:50). A diagram explains the functionality of the telescope (13:11). The instrument rotates (13:58) in order to follow the path of stars. The tube is rotated between the fork arm in demonstration (14:09). The observer tracks a chosen star (14:47). The completed 120 inch telescope is pictured (15:07). The logo for Judson Pacific Corp (15:23) and acknowledgments close the film (15:34). The film was produced by Walter A. Rivers & Associates in San Francisco (15:54).  Motion picture films don't last forever; many have already been lost or destroyed. For almost two decades, we've worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you'd like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcIfQBx68hk Mirrored from Periscope Film (https://www.youtube.com/@PeriscopeFilm) Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:14:21 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://peertube.dngr.us https://peertube.dngr.us/lazy-static/avatars/41a6fee9-7f57-42d0-a5fc-5db4f1af2e31.png https://peertube.dngr.us/videos/watch/b2abf280-3ca0-4f20-9e60-9c5ce6c2aa8d All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://peertube.dngr.us/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.