THE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY: THE STORY OF AN LA ICON

Discover some of L.A.'s most well-known cultural destinations.

Griffith Observatory Griffith Observatory is one of L.A.'s top tourist attractions offering breathtaking views of The Pacific Ocean to Downtown L.A. from its perch on Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park. Observatory and exhibits became accessible to the public on the 14th of March, 1935. In the first five days of operation , the Observatory was attended by more than 13,000 visitors. Today, Griffith Observatory is Griffith Observatory is known as a world-class pioneer in public astronomy. It is an extremely popular place to gather for visitors and Angelenos alike.

Griffith Observatory's grounds Griffith Observatory, its exhibits as well as telescopes are accessible and free for visitors to visit every day the Observatory is open. The Observatory also offers special events, programs as well as open-air "star events." DASH Observatory Bus DASH Observatory Bus allows an easy way to access the Observatory throughout the week.

The background of that of the Griffith Observatory begins with Colonel Griffith J. Griffith, who gave 3,015 acres of the land that is the back of the observatory to the City of Los Angeles in December 1896. In his will, Griffith donated money to build an observatory as well as an exhibit hall and also a planetarium on the property that he donated. The aim was to make telescopes to all.

The most well-known scientists and astronomers at the time were selected as the core team to plan the building for Griffith Observatory. Griffith Observatory. George Ellery Hale, who was responsible for building the telescopes at Yerkes, Mount Wilson, and Palomar Observatories and Mount Wilson, was the principal architect of the entire designs. Caltech Scientist Edward Kurth drew up the initial plans, and then supervised the building of the building. Architectural designers John C. Austin and Frederick M. Ashley were selected to supervise the design and construction of the observatory's new structure. Austin as well as Ashley were appointed by Kurth to supervise the construction alongside Russell W. Porter, the "Patron Saint" of the amateur telescope-making community as consultant.

In 2002 when the observatory was shut down to permit the construction of a $93 million facility and a substantial expansion of the space for exhibits. The observatory was opened for public viewing in the month of November 2006. The present Art Deco style building was updated and the planetarium's previous dome was replaced. The structure was expanded underground, and includes the lower floor which is home to completely new exhibits and cafes as well as a gift shop and the brand new Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theatre. It is called the Cafe at the End of the Universe is a tribute to Douglas Adams' work. Douglas Adams' Restaurant at the End of the Universe and is one of the cafes run by the famous chef Wolfgang Puck.

Every one of the Griffith Observatory's top exhibits is focused on the distinctive features of observations. The exhibits include: Wilder Hall of the Eye Ahmanson Hall in the Sky, W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda, Cosmic Connection, Gunther Depths of Space, Edge of Space Mezzanine, and Exterior Exhibits.

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