Griffith Park Observatory

The Griffith Park Observatory and Planetarium is perched on a mountain side northeast of Hollywood, California.

The Griffith Observatory can be seen for miles and has a fantastic view of the city of Los Angeles.

Nighttime views of the city lights are almost as spectacular as the views of stars you can see on clear nights from the observatory's twin telescopes.

As you enter the 1935 copper domed planetarium, stop to watch the brass Foucault pendulum that swings with the earth's rotation to knock over pegs on the floor.

The observatory galleries in the Hall of Science on either side of the pendulum, features interactive displays about the moon, constellations, planets, and a topic closer to home, earthquakes.

Regularly scheduled shows in the planetarium theater explore comets, eclipses and other astronomical events.

A Zeiss star projector in the theater displays the movement of the stars on the domed ceiling.

The theater also feature laser light shows timed to music.

It's a fantastic show, that we really enjoyed. Incredibly educational, as well as making you aware how huge the outer space is and how small we are on planet earth.

I especially was fascinated by the actual photos taken by the Hubble Telescope. It really something to see.

ADDRESS: 2800 E. Observatory Road, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. Phone: (213) 473-0800.

ADMISSION: Planetarium, telescope viewing and Hall of Science are FREE.

PLANETARIUM SHOWS: There is a nominal charge to see shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.

HOURS: Planetarium open daily: 12:30PM - 10PM. June - Sept: Tues - Fri: 2PM - 10PM, Sat -Sun: 12:30PM - 10PM rest of the year. Closed Thanksgiving and Dec 24 -25.

TELESCOPE: Open Tues - Sun dusk to 9:45PM.

PLANETARIUM SHOW HOURS: Daily at 3PM and 7:30PM.

LASERIUM SHOWS: Tues - Sun, call for schedule, Phone (323) 660-7827.

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