This collection consists of the observatory postcards gathered by Dr. David DeVorkin as part of the Explore the Universe exhibit.
The National Air and Space Museum's (NASM) Explore the Universe exhibit shows how ideas about the Universe evolved as new astronomical instruments were developed. It presents the Universe as discerned by the naked eye, then shows how the telescope, photography, spectroscopy, and digital technology revolutionized our view. The largest section describes what astronomers today think about the nature of the Universe. As part of this exhibit, curator Dr. David DeVorkin, collected astronomical observatory postcards from the public. Some of the postcards were featured in the exhibit as well as the associated NASM website.
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Identifier
NASM.2018.0060
Date
1905-2001
Provenance
NASM Space History Department, Transfer, 2018, NASM.2018.0060
Extent
0.79 Cubic feet (2 containers)
Archival Repository
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of the postcards gathered by Dr. David DeVorkin as part of the Explore the Universe exhibit. Postcards from the following observatories are included: Allegheny; Arecibo Radio; Berlin-Treptow; Cambridge University, UK; David Dunlap; Dominion Astrophysical; European Southern; Green Bank Radio Telescope; Griffith; Harvard-SAO; Jodrell Bank; Keck; Kitt Peak National; Lick; Mauna Kea; McDonald; Mount Wilson; Palomar; Potsdam Astrophysical; Royal Observatory Greenwich; Vassar College; Very Large Array; and Whipple-MMT. The collection also contains CDs containing digital surrogates of the postcards, which were scanned by NASM staff or volunteers.
Arrangement note
Arranged by Observatory.
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Citation
Observatory Postcards, NASM.2018.0060, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Topics
Astronautics Postcards -- 20th century Observatories -- Astrophysical Astronomy -- 20th century