Mount Wilson Observatory is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, California. The observatory is home to some of the most powerful telescopes in the world. If you have visited Griffith Observatory and enjoyed your time, you should definitely look into visiting Mount Wilson Observatory.
History of Mount Wilson Observatory
Founded in 1904 by George Ellery Hale, a wealthy amateur astronomer. Hale was inspired to build the observatory after visiting the Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin, which was at the time the most advanced astronomical observatory in the world. Hale believed that a new observatory could be built on Mount Wilson that would surpass even Yerkes.
Hale raised the money to build the observatory from private donors, and construction began in 1904. The first telescope, the 60-inch Hooker Telescope, was completed in 1917. The Hooker Telescope was the largest telescope in the world at the time, and it was used to make many important discoveries, including the expansion of the universe.
How to get to Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles County, California. The observatory is about 20 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The summit of Mount Wilson is at an elevation of 6,000 feet.
There are a few ways to get to Mount Wilson Observatory. The most popular way is to drive. There is a road that leads to the summit of Mount Wilson, and the observatory is located at the end of the road. The drive from downtown Los Angeles takes about an hour.
There is also a shuttle that runs from the town of Sierra Madre to the observatory. The shuttle runs several times a day, and it is a great option if you do not want to drive.
Things to Do at Mount Wilson Observatory
There are many things to do at Mount Wilson Observatory. Visitors can take a tour of the observatory, learn about the history of the observatory, and see the telescopes. There is also a gift shop and a cafe at the observatory.
One of the most popular things to do at Mount Wilson Observatory is to take a tour of the telescopes. The tour takes visitors to the top of the telescopes, where they can see the inner workings of the telescopes and learn about how they are used.
Visitors can also learn about the history of Mount Wilson Observatory at the observatory’s museum. The museum has exhibits on the history of astronomy, the telescopes at Mount Wilson Observatory, and the people who have worked at the observatory.
There is also a gift shop at Mount Wilson Observatory where visitors can buy souvenirs and books about astronomy. The cafe at the observatory serves snacks and drinks.
Visitors can learn about the history of astronomy, see some of the most powerful telescopes in the world, and get stunning views of the Los Angeles area.
The observatory is also a great place to stargaze. The clear skies and high altitude of Mount Wilson make it a perfect place to see the stars.
