Saturday Evening Astronomy Talk & Telescope Viewing (August 28, 2021)

08/28/2021 05:30 PM - 11:55 PM PT

Admission

  • $40.00

Location

Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson, CA 91023
United States of America
 Building Number: Museum Auditorium

Summary

WHERE MODERN ASTRONOMY WAS BORN, a talk given by Tim Thompson, Mount Wilson Observatory historian, scientist, and educator. Learn how the right people and technology and science came together, radically redirecting the future of the astronomical sciences.
After the talk, guests can view the night sky until midnight through the Observatory's 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes.

Description

WHERE MODERN ASTRONOMY WAS BORN

Plan for a full evening at the Observatory.  The night begins with a lecture, given by Tim Thompson, Mount Wilson Observatory historian, scientist, and educator.  Mount Wilson Observatory is the place where all the right people and technology and science came together, radically redirecting the future of the astronomical sciences.  Tim will describe how this happened, and the people responsible for creating the new astronomy.  Many astonomers at the time referred to what was then astro-physics (and is today astrophysics, with no hyphen) as the "new astronomy."

After the talk, bring a picnic or purchase food (cash only) provided by a food truck, and dine al fresco at the tables provided. 

The Los Angeles Astronomical Society will have its telescopes set up around the grounds for viewing different night sky objects.  

The Museum of Photon Technology on the ground floor of the 100-inch dome will be open for guests before they move up, in groups of 20, to the telescope level for viewing through the 100-inch historic telescope.  Additionally, this year both the 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes will be open to lecture guests for observing until midnight.

Prior to the lecture, the Cosmic Cafe will be open until 5 p.m.  A free shuttle service will be provided to and from the parking lot for anyone who might need it.   It will run approximately every 20 minutes.

Be Aware:
  • Tickets are non-refundable. 
  • Attendees must be FULLY VACCINATED against Covid-19.  Proof of vaccination will be required at check-in.
  • In accordance with the July 15, 2021 Los Angeles County Health Officer Order, masks are required in all indoor areas of the observatory grounds.  This includes the shuttle service provided to and from the parking lot.
  • Mount Wilson Observatory is over a mile high with much cooler temperatures and thinner air.  Be prepared with warmer clothing and for three flights of stairs to access the telescope observation deck of the 100-inch telescope.
  • The telescope domes are not ADA compliant.