Last updated: 14 August 2007 |
Subject: Journey to Palomar at Temecula Film Festival Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 14:43:10 From: Scott Kardel (wsk@astro.caltech.edu) Caltech to sponsor premier of new PBS documentary on famed Palomar Observatory at Temecula Film Festival At this year's Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival, the California Institute of Technology will sponsor and host the premier screenings of a soon-to-be-released PBS television documentary on the epic 20th century story of the birth of American astronomy and the building of the famed Palomar 200-inch telescope. Caltech owns and operates Palomar Observatory and will have representatives present for questions and answers, along with the filmmakers. The film, entitled The Journey to Palomar, is the result of more than five years' work by Los Angeles filmmakers Todd and Robin Mason. The film traces the story of Chicago-born astronomer George Ellery Hale, considered the father of astrophysics, as he struggles personally and professionally to build the greatest telescopes of the 20th century at the Yerkes and Mount Wilson Observatories, and finally the 20-year effort to build the million-pound telescope on Palomar Mountain (overlooking Temecula)--considered the "moon shot" of the 1930s and '40s. Hale's observatories revolutionized our understanding of the universe, making headlines throughout the 20th century with revelations such as Edwin Hubble's 1929 discovery of the expansion of the universe. The documentary includes rare archival footage and interviews with America's top scientists and historians. The filmmakers anticipate a PBS release some time in 2008. More information and the film's trailer can be seen at www.journeytopalomar.org. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Festival website: www.tviff.com Screenings are first-come; first served. Show times will be announced on the Festival website after Aug. 25th. High-resolution sidewalk telescopes will be set up outside the theater for the public to enjoy. ----------------------- W. Scott Kardel Public Affairs Coordinator, Palomar Observatory Telephone: (760) 742-2111 E-mail: wsk@astro.caltech.edu WWW:www.palomar-observatory.org Office hours: usually 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday
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