The Supernova Search at Zimmerwald

Abstract

In our observatory at Zimmerwald, six miles to the south of Bern, at an altitude of 900 m, we have a 24-in. Cassegrain and a 16-in. Schmidt camera (40/60/104 cm). The fields of the Schmidt has a diameter of $6\frac{2}{3}$deg; the scale is 198″ mm⁻¹. We use film, since it is easier to handle than plates (especially so for rapid searches), and we buy the fastest panchromatic emulsions generally available (at the moment Kodak Tri X), the special emulsions for astronomy being by far too expensive for our small budget.