Telescope Data Center Harvard Plate Collection Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
 Harvard Observatory Plate Stacks
MC Series Characteristics

Basics
Plate Size Plate Scale Telescope Focal Length
8x10, 4x5 98"/mm 16-inch Metcalf Doublet 83 inches

Observatory
Plate nos.LocationLongitudeLatitudeAltitudeDates
1-26093Cambridge04:44:31+42:22:48241909-06-22 - 1932-05-28
26094-40591Oak Ridge04:46:12+42:30:121851932-09-28 - 1988-12-12

Online Searchable catalog

 		all-sky map
Maps of spatial and temporal distribution 		histogram by year
Histogram by year

ASCII
Catalog

(21983 plates)

Location
in Stacks
Plate SizeLocationNumbers
8x10first floorall
4x5first floorall

Card Catalog:

 complete; there is also an Approach database of the blue plates.

Record Books:

 (49) 1-37502 (Catalog)
(2) MC Important Regions
(2) MC Long Period Variables
(1) MC Photometric Work
Online: [01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08] [09] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49]

Record Sheets:

 26154-40591

Comments:


[Expanded notes] 		This instrument, the most powerful refractor in the northern station up to 1936, was especially valuable for faint objects where the large scale was of benefit. When the plates are used for photometric purposes, it is well to take precautions, since the color coefficient is large and the distance correction is both large and variable from one plate to another.

The instrument was refigured after about 3500 plates had been taken; the distance correction was thereby diminished, but the color coefficient was practically unchanged. In general, it is well to avoid plates taken before the refiguring for accurate photometric work. All plates subsequent to 4171 were taken with the curved plate holder, which diminishes the distance correction due to curvature of field.