Free L.A.: Powering the Tesla Coil at Griffith Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is forever a favorite to spend a Saturday morning — although the parking situation has changed quite a bit over the years. On this morning, we parked in a designated lot next to the Greek Theatre and then walked up the hill. (It was probably about a 20 minute hike.) There are also buses, but require exact change — which we didn't have. (It's a long time now since parking was free at the Observatory itself; and even nearby, parking is no longer allowed on the street.)

This time out, the Blogger Kid 2.0 was especially excited to see the Tesla Coil and its electric shocks. Back in the day, an Observatory staffer would pass around a light bulb and audiences would watch it light up. Now, the Tesla Coil is safely inside a Faraday cage.

As always, the other treat up at the Observatory: The view.

The Griffith Observatory Plans to Prove The World Isn't Ending

Sorry, doomsday prophets: The Griffith Observatory will stay open late the night of Friday, Dec. 21 to dispel "any misguided concerns" that the end of the world is upon us. The attraction will stay open until 12:01 am:

The Observatory normally closes at 10:00 p.m. but will remain open an added 121 minutes to demonstrate that claims regarding the Maya calendar, planetary alignments, rogue planets, galactic beams, and other related phenomena have no basis in fact. The Observatory will be operating normally during the additional time, with extra shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium at 9:45 and 10:45 p.m.

For years, public anxiety regarding the “end of the world” on December 21, 2012, has been stoked by irresponsible reports online and in the media. While the “2012” scenario is based on a profound misinterpretation of the Maya calendar, other groundless claims have also been attached to December 21. The Observatory, NASA, and others receive daily inquiries from anxious people asking if the “predictions” of doom are correct. The Observatory’s newest planetarium show, Time’s Up, addresses these concerns as part of discussing the fundamental nature of time (Time’s Up will show all day December 21).

And hey, if we're all wrong and it really is the end of the world, the Observatory will probably be a pretty good place to witness it. So win-win all around!

Usher In Fall At the Observatory

The Griffith Observatory will celebrate the autumnal equinox -- the official start of fall -- on Tuesday. (Fall officially begins at 2:19 Pacific time.)

At 12:46 p.m., the projection of the Sun’s image crosses the engraved meridian arc of the Gottlieb Transit Corridor; then, a 6:50 p.m., the Sun aligns with the engraved equinox line on the Observatory’s West Observation Terrace.

So what's the Autumnal Equinox? The museum explains:

The autumnal equinox occurs when day and night are of nearly equal length ("equinox" is Latin for "equal night"). This is true throughout most of the world at only two times a year.

The autumnal equinox is the moment when the Sun crosses the celestial equator (the projection of Earth’s equator into space) from north to south. From the autumnal equinox and until the start of winter – the winter solstice on December 21 – days will continue to get shorter, and the noon elevation of the Sun will decrease. This happens because the Earth's axis is tilted 23½ degrees to its orbit.

The Sun will rise and set on September 22 nearly due east and west, respectively. Around the world, ancient ruins include features oriented to the rising, setting, and passage of the Sun through the sky on solstices and equinoxes. Many ancient sites suggest that ritual was an important part of observing solstices and equinoxes. Griffith Observatory has several architectural features that align with celestial events.

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Moonwalk -- No, the Actual Moonwalk

The Griffith Observatory is marking the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 with four days of events.

Today's schedule includes the "Stations of Apollo" at noon, as well as a "Make-a Crater" family activity on the Observatory's West Terrace from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The weekend tribute also includes the lecture “Return to the Moon: What's Next?” A half-hour lecture by Anthony Cook, Griffith Observatory's Astronomical Observer, on Friday at 3 p.n. and 7 p.m. The lecture Saturday is “Why These Three? How Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins Wound Up on Apollo 11”, a one-hour lecture by author Michael Cassutt, at 7:30 p.m. And on Sunday, “California Goes to the Moon”, a one-hour panel discussion with southern California aerospace engineers that built the Apollo spacecraft; at 11:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Comet Lulin Looky-Loo

The Griffith Observatory this week has its telescopes trained on Comet Lulin, which its the closest it will get toward Earth -- at least, until 15 million years from now. The Observatory writes:

This week, Comet Lulin (c/2007 N3) reaches maximum brightness and should be visible with a telescope or binoculars. The comet made its closest approach to Earth on February 23, when it was a little over 38 million miles away, slightly farther away than Mars gets when it approaches closest to Earth. Comet Lulin takes perhaps 15 million years to complete a single orbit. We shall never again have the opportunity to see this cosmic interloper.

Griffith Observatory's telescopes will be targeted on Comet Lulin every clear evening throughout the last week of February. Telescope viewing begins at 7:00 p.m. In addition, Griffith Observatory's new planetarium program, First Light: The Telescope Changed Everything, shows Comet Lulin in the night sky in evening performances at 7:45 p.m. in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Tickets go on sale at 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and at 6:00 p.m. on weekends.

Through binoculars, Comet Lulin looks like a small, fuzzy star with a faint green tint. In wilderness areas free of city light, the comet can be seen with the unaided eye as a small cloud (half the diameter of the moon). In binoculars, an "anti-tail" of dust can be seen to the comet’s left. Photographs also show an ion tail made of glowing plasma to the comet’s right.

Observing the Griffith Observatory

Now that the noise surrounding the reopened Griffith Observatory has died down -- and, more importantly, parking is once again allowed up on the hill -- we finally visited the newly renovated, expanded building this week. Even Blogger Toddler enjoyed looking at the models of the planets -- pushing buttons, standing on scales to see his weight on other planets... and snacking at the "Cafe at the End of the Universe."

It's a good looking upgrade. The downstairs space exhibit is simple yet well done; the upstairs "Hall of the Eye" and "Hall of the Sky" exhibits are well organized. (We didn't go inside the new planetarium, as children under 4 are only allowed into the first show of the day.)

The gift shop offers up some great L.A.-centric gifts in addition to the usual touristy knicknacks... but the cafe, run by Wolfgang Puck catering, is as expensive and lackluster as I'd heard.

Some pics:


Nice to see some things haven't changed: The pendulum located in the Central Rotunda.


The views are obviously still fantastic.


The new downstairs "Gunther Depths of Space Exhibits."


Blast from the past: On display, the old projector that thrilled generations inside the Observatory's old planetarium.


Photo op alert: Sit next to Albert Einstein.


Technical difficulties inside the Spock Theater already?


Evan was hungry, so we bought him a turkey and cheese sandwich. That's two slices of bread, some turkey, and a slice of American cheese. For $3.50. Memo to self: Open catering service, secure contracts at tourist destinations. Watch money pile in.


The strangest feature at the new Observatory: The "Cosmic Connection," a hallway decorated by thousands of pieces of cheesy celestial-themed costume jewelry. Seriously.

Griffith Observatory
2800 E. Observatory Rd.
Tuesday - Friday: Noon - 10 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Closed Mondays

Total Eclipse of the Moon

(Flickr pic by Grzesiek.)

Turn around, bright eyes: Griffith Observatory will be open late tonight to celebrate this evening's total lunar eclipse.

Event starts with moonrise at 5:30 p.m.; the Observatory will be open until 10 p.m. to mark the event. Totality begins at 7:01 p.m. and ends at 7:52 p.m.

Some details from the Observatory:

Griffith Observatory will celebrate the total lunar eclipse with special activities on the front lawn, including a star party co-hosted by the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., P.S.T.

Telescopes will be operated on the front lawn to provide the public with viewing opportunities of the Moon during the eclipse, as well as Saturn, Mars, and other astronomical objects. Griffith Observatory Director Dr. E.C. Krupp and Curator Dr. Laura Danly will provide a play-by-play report of the progress of the eclipse. All exhibits and telescopes will be open and free to the public. There will also be brief lectures inside the building.

Southern California won't experience another total lunar eclipse until Dec. 21, 2010 -- so if you miss tonight's events, you have nearly three years to clear your schedule for the next one.