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Griffith Observatory and and Los Angeles Astronomical Society have enjoyed a working relationship together for many years.
On one Saturday out of the month, weather permitting, Griffith, the LAAS, and the Sidewalk Astronomers get together at the
venerable observatory and position their telescopes on the grassy front lawn to give the public a view of the heavens.
This also happens for special occasions such as the passage of Comet Hale-Bopp in 1996.
In 2003 the observatory was closed for rennovations and improvements, and will reopen in May of 2006. Until then
a satellite observatory will be opened to the public south of the Gene Autry Museum near the Los Angeles Zoo.
Click on the images to see them full size.
| The Wonderful Zeiss Planetarium Projector |
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| Click on image to see full size |
Just before the observatory closed, the LAAS held one last meeting
in the planetarium. On that occasion I took this image, the control console for the planetarium. Unfortunately,
the entire planetarium is being rennovated and improved, with the result that these old and wonderful controls will no longer
be used to control the planetarium. Fortunately, in another section of the new observatory, the old controls will be
on display, showing the then verses the new.
| Antenna Row |
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| Click on image to see full size |
In 2002, a deep partial eclipse of the Sun was visible from Griffith.
As usual, there was a big media turn-out. They usually occupied their transmission vans on the west concrete sidewalk,
but this time there was quite a bit of spillover. This image shows "Media Row".
| The excited crowd |
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| Click on image to see full size |
This shows the pedestal near the center of the grassy area.
This monument will remain once the observatory opens again in 2006. You can also see some of the telescopes arrayed
around the field, and part of the immense crowd that congregated around the observatory that day.
| The Zeiss Telescope Dome |
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| Click on image to see full size |
Here's a shot of the east observatory wing, with the dome housing
the Zeiss telescopes pointing towards the SUn. I don't know for sure, but perhaps they were giving the crowd a look
at the Sun through special filters to protect one's eyes.
| The Front Doors |
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| Click on image to see full size |
The front of the observatory, as is the case for all the exterior,
will only be given a facelift to restore it to its old splendor. No changes to the exterior will occur - no additions
or subtractions from the venerable building will be done.
This huge crowd is typical for such media driven events, but usually one doesn't get too much
of the sense of this because the grounds are normally darkened at night to allow the telescopes a better view, but because
this was a solar eclipse there was plenty of light.
| The Heliostat Dome |
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| Click on image to see full size |
The west end of the observatory and the dome that houses the dedicated
solar telescope, also pointed at the eclipsed Sun. In this case, due to the telescope's unique design, it isn't necessary
to use special filters to view the Sun.
| The Sun is Eclipsed |
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| Click on image to see full size |
This is how the Sun appeared that day using special filters to protect
one from the dangerous rays it generates. One should never look at the Sun, even during an eclipse, without using special
filters. Smoked glass should not be used, or any other type of filter. The only readily available filter that
is safe is #13 welder's glass, available at any hardware store.
Notice the Sunspots, dark patches on the yellow disk of the Sun.
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