Full Answer
What time does Griffith Observatory open?
Griffith Observatory’s grounds and roads are generally open the same hours as Griffith Park, 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., every day. Access to Griffith Park is free, though there is paid parking closest to the Observatory.
How many people have viewed the Griffith Observatory through a telescope?
Over 7 million people have been able to view through the 12-inch (30.5 cm) Zeiss refractor since the observatory's 1935 opening; this is the most people to have viewed through any telescope. On December 16, 1896, 3,015 acres (12.20 km 2) of land surrounding the observatory was donated to the City of Los Angeles by Griffith J. Griffith.
How reliable are Griffith Observatory virtual programs?
Virtual and in-person programs – including public star parties, All Space Considered, and the Sunset Walk-and-Talk – return each month as reliably as the phases of the Moon! Griffith Observatory reliably connects you to unusual sights in the sky, the changing seasons, visiting astronomers and their latest discoveries, and more. Planning a Visit?
What can I do at the planetarium?
Live shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, live Tesla Coil demonstrations, and your chance to observe with our public telescope observing are offered every day. Check the schedule!
How long are Griffith Observatory planetarium shows?
about 30 minutesShows are offered every 60 to 90 minutes. The Planetarium show lasts about 30 minutes. Tickets are only available on site, so if you want to see the Planetarium show, be sure to get your tickets as soon as you arrive.
What is the difference between a planetarium and an Observatory?
A planetarium is a 'sky theater' where special projectors create a simulation of the night sky on a dome ceiling. An observatory is a place where telescopes are used to view the actual night sky, so the dome of an observatory does open, unlike the one in a planetarium.
How much are Griffith Observatory shows?
$7 for adultsAdmission to the observatory and grounds is free of charge. Tickets for the shows in the planetarium cost $7 for adults and children over 13, $5 for visitors aged over 60 and students, and $3 for children aged between 5 and 12.
Can you walk around Griffith Observatory when it's closed?
You can walk around the entire building and enjoy the views even when the observatory is closed. Take some sneakers or hiking shoes and take a trail a short distance up and you'll have the best view of the Hollywood sign. Take water is you plan to go on the trail.
What is shown in planetarium?
A planetarium (plural planetaria or planetariums) is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation.
What can I expect from a planetarium?
Planetariums have a large room with a dome-shaped ceiling and many seats. A special projector in this room can shine images on the domed ceiling and show you the stars and other objects in the night sky. Many planetariums also have telescopes which you can look through and exhibits about space.
How long is the planetarium show at California Academy of Sciences?
15-minuteJoin us on the first floor of the planetarium for Extreme Life, a live, family-friendly, 15-minute program—now playing daily!
When should I go to Griffith Observatory?
The building and grounds are accessible for all visitors. The building is busiest on weekends, during summer and holiday periods, and at sunset. Griffith Observatory's grounds and roads are generally open the same hours as Griffith Park, 5:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., every day.
Do I need a reservation for the Griffith Observatory?
Groups do not need to make any kind of reservation to visit the Observatory or notify the Observatory in advance of their visit. NO BUS OR SHUTTLE PARKING: Groups in buses coming to the Observatory will be passed through (even when the road is closed) and must drop off at the designated area near the building.
Are there rattlesnakes in Griffith Park?
For unsuspecting home gardeners, fervent hikers, or children playing in Griffith Park, rattlesnake bites are frightening, though not entirely unexpected, events. The most important concept to grasp is that we live in their backyards, not the other way around.
Are there mountain lions in Griffith Park?
Known as P-22, the male cougar is thought to be the only mountain lion that calls Griffith Park home.
How long is the Griffith Park Hike?
This 5.7-mile loop tops three prominent summits on a panoramic tour of Griffith Park. This 3.5-mile hike ascends 750 feet to reach the summit of Mount Lee behind the Hollywood Sign.
When is Griffith Observatory open?
Griffith Observatory is open:Fri - Fri 12:00 PM - 10:00 PMSat - Sun 10:00 AM - 10:00 PMBuy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Trip...
How much do Griffith Observatory tickets cost in 2022?
Griffith Observatory admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost $10.33, while a popular guided tour starts around $10.00 per person...
Do you need to book Griffith Observatory tickets in advance?
Griffith Observatory can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can can...
What's the best way to see Griffith Observatory?
According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Griffith Observatory: Griffith Observatory with Self-Guided Audio Tour (F...
What hotels are near Griffith Observatory?
Hotels near Griffith Observatory: (0.76 mi) The Villa Sophia - Romantic Honeymoon Spa Retreat on Central Los Angeles Hilltop (2.17 mi) The Prospect...
What restaurants are near Griffith Observatory?
Restaurants near Griffith Observatory: (0.02 mi) The Cafe at the End of the Universe (0.52 mi) The Trails Cafe (1.12 mi) Alcove Cafe & Bakery (1.31...
3. How much will it cost?
Admission to the grounds of Griffith Observatory is free, however, you do need to pay for parking which is $10. There is free parking if you don’t mind walking; it’s only a mile from the Observatory.
4. How long will it take?
People on average spend 2 hours here, the planned atrium shows are 30-40 minutes long. You can easily spend 30 minutes or more walking around the grounds.
5. When is the best time to go?
If you want to avoid large crowds the best time to visit the Observatory is during a weekday morning or early afternoon. However, the views of L.A. and the night skies are truly breathtaking.
6. Where will I get the best photos?
With panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Hollywood Sign, and Downtown L.A. there are ample photo opportunities.
Why is Griffith Observatory important?
One of the principle reasons is the presence and regular availability of high-quality public telescopes. Griffith J. Griffith wanted the public to have the opportunity to look through a telescope, which he felt might broaden human perspective. Mounted in the copper-clad domes on either end of the building, the Zeiss and solar telescopes are free to the public every day and night the building is open, and the sky is clear.
How long has the universe been growing?
Unimaginably vast and continuously changing, the universe has been growing larger for nearly 14 billion years. We are connected to the origin of the universe by the sparkling ribbon of time that reaches from the Big Bang to today, when we observe what the universe is, understand what it is doing, and appreciate how long all of this has been going on. Nearly 2,200 pieces of celestial jewelry form the Observatory timeline, thanks to longtime Friends Of The Observatory board member Kara Knack. The cosmic shapes and designs of the pieces symbolize astronomical objects and our connection with them.
What is the mezzanine in the Depths of Space exhibit?
The mezzanine overlooking the Richard and Lois Gunther Depths of Space exhibit gallery provides visitors with an experience that bridges the more familiar Earth-bound orientation toward the universe with a more cosmic perspective informed by the most sophisticated astronomical instruments ever built. The zone showcases samples of the universe that come to Earth from space or that we acquire through space exploration.
What is Samuel Oschin Planetarium?
Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Travel to the farthest reaches of the universe and into the microscopic building blocks of life. Live presentations immerse you in the wonder and meaning of the cosmos. Explore now.
Where is the Observatory in Los Angeles?
Located on the south slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, the Observatory is literally in the center of metropolitan Los Angeles. While public transportation is the easiest way to visit, you may also walk, bike, drive, or take a shared-ride service up to the Observatory.
How many times a day is the Planetarium?
Planetarium shows at the Observatory are offered eight times a day on weekdays and ten times a day on weekends, of which a nominal fee is charged for admission to the planetarium shows. As long as the weather permits, the Observatory offers free public telescope viewing every night the observatory is open.
What was Griffith's goal in building the observatory?
In his will Griffith donated funds to build an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium on the donated land. Griffith's objective was to make astronomy accessible by the public, as opposed to the prevailing idea that observatories should be located on remote mountaintops and restricted to scientists.
How many volts did the Tesla discharge?
The chief engineer of the General Electric Company estimated that the discharges were at least 1.3 million volts. Ovington, who died in 1936, gave the matching Tesla coils to his old electrotherapy colleague Frederick Finch Strong, who in 1937 donated them to Griffith Observatory.
What movie had the observatory?
The observatory was featured in two major sequences of the James Dean film Rebel Without a Cause (1955), which helped to make it an international emblem of Los Angeles. A bust of Dean was subsequently placed at the west side of the grounds. It has also appeared in a number of other movies, including:
How many sections are there in the rotunda ceiling?
The rotunda ceiling. The observatory is split up into six sections: The Wilder Hall of the Eye, the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky, the W. M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda, the Cosmic Connection, the Gunther Depths of Space Hall, and the Edge of Space Mezzanine.
What is the Gunther Depths of Space Hall?
The Gunther Depths of Space Hall is the lower level of the observatory, dominated by "The Big Picture," and scale models of the Solar System. The planets (including dwarf planet Pluto) are shown relative to the size of the sun, which is represented by the diameter of the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater.
When did the observatory close?
The observatory closed in 2002 for renovation and a major expansion of exhibit space. It reopened to the public on November 3, 2006, retaining its Art Deco exterior. The $93 million renovation, paid largely by a public bond issue, restored the building, as well as replaced the aging planetarium dome.
What is the Griffith Observatory?
The Once and Future Griffith Observatory provides an exciting and compelling introduction to the history and unique public offerings of the Observatory. This free, 24-minute film, entertainingly narrated by Leonard Nimoy, reveals how the vision of one man led to the creation of an architectural, cultural, and astronomical icon for southern California. The film offers an overview of the Observatory’s programs and exhibits and discusses how the building was renewed during the 2002-2006 renovation and expansion project. Hearing assist devices are available.
When the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, directly overhead the Observatory’s meridian line,
When the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, directly overhead the Observatory’s meridian line, we celebrate local noon. A Museum Guide gives a free 15-minute presentation explaining how we use the Sun’s light in the Gottlieb Transit Corridor to tell us what day it is and where the Sun is located in its pathway across the sky.
Where can I see the Sun?
During the day, you can see the live image of the Sun on our coelostat (solar telescope) in the Ahmanson Hall of the Sky. Each evening, there are free public telescopes on the roof and lawn for you to observe the night sky.
Where is Griffith Observatory?
Everyone is Welcome. Griffith Observatory is a free-admission facility located on the south side of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The building and grounds are accessible for all visitors. The building is busiest on weekends, during summer and holiday periods, and at sunset.
Where is the Observatory in Los Angeles?
Located just above Hollywood, the distinctive Observatory building can be seen for miles. Whether you walk, bike, take the bus, grab a shared ride, or drive, a visit to the Observatory should be part of any trip to Los Angeles.
Is Griffith Park free?
Access to Griffith Park is free, though there is paid parking closest to the Observatory. There are public restrooms located next to the Observatory parking lot. Trailheads on Observatory grounds lead to Mount Hollywood, the Greek Theatre area, and Fern Dell.
What’s So Special About Griffith Observatory?
How Do I Get there?
- Drive, hike, or take public transport. The DASH Observatory shuttle is available 7 days a week. The Shuttle runs every 15—20 minutes with the last shuttle departing from The Griffith Observatory at 10 pm. Starting from Sunset/Vermont Metro station and makes stops through Los Feliz village, The Greek Theatre, Mt Hollywood hiking trail and the front lawn of the Griffith Observatory.
How Much Will It Cost?
- Admission to the grounds of Griffith Observatory is free, however, you do need to pay for parking which is $10. There is free parking if you don’t mind walking; it’s only a mile from the Observatory. If you want to view a Planetarium show tickets prices are: 1. Adults $7 2. Students $5 3. Children $3
How Long Will It take?
- People on average spend 2 hours here, the planned atrium shows are 30-40 minutes long. You can easily spend 30 minutes or more walking around the grounds.
When Is The Best Time to Go?
- If you want to avoid large crowds the best time to visit the Observatory is during a weekday morning or early afternoon. However, the views of L.A. and the night skies are truly breathtaking.
Where Will I Get The Best Photos?
- With panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Hollywood Sign, and Downtown L.A. there are ample photo opportunities. 1. Entrance to the observatory 2. Observatory grounds 3. In front of “The Big Picture” exhibit Photo Cred: newtonkwan
Any Insider Tips?
- Parking is free before noon or after 10pm
- Check the times for the Tesla Coil demonstration when you arrive (must-see)
- On the first Friday of every month, you can watch the live astronomy update program for free
- You can hike to the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory, so if you have time it’s definitely worth the hike!