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A Useful Guide to Griffith Observatory Los Angeles
Catalogue
- Reaching your destination
- A trip to the star's
- The view to take your breath away
- A peek into the heavens above
- The Earth and the Sun
- The lightning strikes
- Wandering around
- A nibble for your stomach
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A paradise for the people far more interested in science and astronomy with a view of Los Angeles. It is bound to take your breath away is what the Griffith Observatory is all about. With more than 13,000 visitors on the day of its inauguration in 1935, the observatory named after Griffith J. Griffith. He who had donated the land and funds for the observatory. Griffith Observatory is located inside Griffith Park and situated on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood. With a view that will leave you be dazzled, the Griffith Observatory is one of the most frequented and main attractions of Los Angeles. California, as you can get the best views and also get a very close look of the Hollywood sign. Griffith Observatory provides an extensive view of the Los Angeles Basin, and also of the Downtown Los Angeles towards the southeast. You will find Hollywood to the south of the observatory and also the Pacific Ocean towards the southwest. You get an extensive stretch of displays on science and space along with the types of equipment. They use for all the research purposes. The observatory is also known to hold a moonrock in its possession. If you are someone who loves space and stargazing is one of your man hobbies, then Griffith Observatory is the perfect place for you to visit.
Since the Griffith Observatory is situated in Griffith Park, getting to the place is pretty straightforward. If you are taking a car, bike or taxi, you can always enter the observatory through the Vermont or Fern Dell entrances. You have parking available still for your convenience, and the charges are pretty low. You can find the pay stations that take the parking fees nearby where you can either pay in cash or credit cards. However, if you are paying a visit after the dark, you must know that the Fern Dell entrance closes after dark and this is when you need to take up the Vermont entrance. Since the observatory is open always, you can visit anytime you wish to, and there are no charges to get into the facility. It is open to the public since the day it opened. You can also use public transportation to reach Griffith Observatory like the shuttles and buses. There are shuttles every 15-20 minutes that you can take to avoid the headache of traffic. Also finding a parking place during weekends and holidays can be challenging and exhausting. You can avail buses anytime you wish to as there are several buses which make their stop at Griffith Park.
If the above options do not agree with you, you can always ride a bike and come to Griffith Observatory. You can take the paved roads to bike up and park in the public space that the park has. You can bike up from the West Observatory Road to the observatory. One of the bike racks has the observatory. However, if you choose to take a hike up to the observatory, you can very well do that. Follow up one of the hiking trails, which is found near the Greek Theatre or Fern Dell. Hike up to the observatory and give yourself the pleasure of taking in something beautiful that you will forever remember.
Griffith Observatory deals mainly in the study of space and what's the best way to know more than to take up the show that the planetarium holds for everyone. If your kid is interested in knowing the workings of the sky. Also, how the stars came into existence or why they shine brightly into the night sky. You can very quickly quench their thirst to know by taking them up to the show.
Moreover, if you are someone who loves to stargaze and the night sky fascinates you, then you can also go up to the planetarium. Gaze up into the air and learn a lot about the stars that light up the sky. The tickets are sold only at the Griffith Observatory and are sold out pretty early as there is a huge demand. So, if you want to catch a show at the planetarium, you need to be first and have a ticket to the show. Children from the age of 13 have to pay the full price of the card to go in. You can always carry a student ID if you are one and avail of the services at a reduced price. There is something that you need to pay attention to if you are taking a tour of the planetarium and the stars and planets interest you. Make sure to follow the inscriptions in the sidewalk out towards the front as there are many planetary orbits that you can find. You can have a good sense of the cosmic size through these orbits inscribed in the sidewalk and learn a lot about the planets. However, there is one thing to be kept in mind, and that is the show of the planetarium not designed for small children. Children who are less than five years old only admitted to the first show that the planetarium hosts.
As nature never fails to satisfy the thirst of a person who is always in search of its beauty, she does not disappoint the heart of her lover. Intending to take your breath away, the Griffith Observatory promises much more than just the lookout into the wonders of science and space. If you are someone who loves a view of nature, then this is the place for you. Hike up to the observatory to watch the charisma that character plays.
If you are visiting the observatory around the late afternoons, make sure to stick to the place till night falls. You will be with a spectacular view of the whole of the city of California in its glory. The city lights are bound to leave you awestruck. If you want more, you can always watch the sunset from the observatory gallery and marvel at the play of colors against the backdrop of the sky. Since the Griffith Observatory is open into the night, you can have the view of the city as long as you wish but make sure to dress for the right weather. It always gets a bit chilly up there, and you are advised to bring in extra clothing.
Well, the sky has never failed to amaze people, and it keeps on doing so. Looking into the dark mysteries that it carries has always fascinated people, and that is where the Griffith Observatory comes into play. If the sky entices you, then make sure to head out to the observatory. During the twilight or the nighttime, you can gaze up the telescopes to find what mysteries in the sky above hold to see how marvelous it is. The observatory has a 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope placed right at the rooftop dome from where the view is beautiful and bright. You can look into the sky and marvel at the creation. Find all the planet's and constellations and enjoy the fun that the sky portrays for you. However, you can learn a lot about the stars above like their origin or their movements. With very knowledgeable guides who will be there guiding you through and telling you everything need to know about the stars above. It can be a fascinating experience and if you wish you can come out learning a lot more about the sky that is hidden most of the time with the high rises. Refresh your love for the air and watch the stars dance for you. After a massive renovation, the Griffith Observatory boasts a space that holds an exhibition only for the area. You can quench your thirst for knowledge on everything that you want to know about the outer world. Even though it doesn't confirm the existence of aliens, it does hold stuff that you will find fascinating. You can understand, learn, watch and even touch things that are related to the cosmos along with the fact what the backpack of a meteorite hunter has or what they do extensively. You can also know how much you will weigh on other planets and gather extensive knowledge on the solar system. You will never be able to forget the experience which Griffith Observatory is bound to provide you.
The Earth rotates on its axis but if you want to experience it firsthand with proof. Griffith Observatory has it all organized for you to do so. With one of the most significant devices in the world, which can prove this, the Foucault pendulum will help you establish that the Earth goes around its axis. It is with a 240-pound bronze orb which suspends from a 40 feet long cable. As placed upon a bearing, with a ring magnet in the ceiling, the pendulum moves in a very constant direction as our Earth turns slowly beneath it. A fascinating piece of work, this pendulum will help you establish your knowledge of science and also prove the basics that you taught as a child in the school classes. However, the observatory does not only stop here with the Earth as the Sun can also interest you here. The Griffith Observatory has a real-life sundial as well as a modern version of it. With an audiovisual representation with 3D versions of two actors in togas stroll across the Temple of Apollo at Pompeii as they discuss the time in a very Roman Empire-era style. You will also find a California Indian Horizon Calendar in the very same gallery. It explains the shifting of sunrise and sunset points that used to mark off the days by the inhabitants who originally lived on the land. You do not only get to learn all these but also have the first-hand experience in all the matters. You get to know how the Earth works, how the tides happen, or how the Sun has helped humankind. The Griffith Observatory has it all and much more for you.
If you have heard about the Tesla Coil, then it has always piqued your interest. In the original Frankenstein movie, the Griffith Observatory promises to lay your interest at rest as you will witness the working model of the Tesla Coil here. The observatory holds a demo of the Tesla Coil to show how it works, and you can catch a live demo of the lightning sparks which is electricity fly through the air without wires. The sizzling sound that the electricity makes with each lightning spark that transmits without the help of any wire is bound to keep you thrilled and at your heels. You will love the show, and the Tesla Coil will also help you learn about the forms of electricity and how it conducts and much more. If electricity, science and its mechanism interest you, check the demo schedule on the Tesla Coil demonstration.
Since the Griffith Observatory is inside the premises of Griffith Park, you can also roam around in the park with a lot of things to do that will no doubt impress you. Hiking is an exciting prospect as you can always hike up to the observatory. To have a peek at what the place has to offer, then you find it interesting. One can stay to watch the various prospects of science and space unfurl in front of your eyes. Want to do something enjoyable and exciting; you can always have a ride in the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. It will provide freshness for you, and if you have a kid along with you, then it is a piece to go. You can also plan a picnic for the park, after exploring the observatory. With full on the knowledge about the sky, stars, and science, then a good meal can give the energy to explore more as well. There's always the option of dining outside. You can sit down and eat at the park, but if you choose to be at the observatory.
Outside food is not allowed inside the Griffith Observatory premises. It does not mean that you cannot give your growling stomach what it desires to have. Cafe in the premises of the observatory - The Cafe at the End of the Universe owned by Wolfgang Puck. With a lot of options to choose from, you can have something healthy or something that your kids might want. You have the options of salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps or macaroni and cheese or hot dogs. Indulge in the taste of mouth-watering delicacies as you gaze into the beauty that nature provides. You can dine inside the cafe or outside according to your choice and preference. If you think you want a bit of quiet while enjoying your meal, then sits inside and dive into the delicious meal that the cafe offers. However, if you are up at the observatory, it is a waste of a perfectly good and serene environment should you choose not to dine outside. The view is to die for, and you can always enjoy the Hollywood sign while having your food and the marvelous sight of nature.
With a lot of things to do in the Griffith Observatory, there is never a shortage of exciting things. You can fall in love with the place if you are someone who loves science and wants to learn more about its mechanisms. Astronomy is abundant in the area, and you will not have time to set a foot outside the observatory if you are into these things. The mysteries of the sky and the fantastic things that the stars have to offer are something that will mesmerize you once you start taking an interest in the place.
With all the information that Griffith Observatory has to offer, it is worth a trip to the place. You will not be disappointed with the knowledge it has to offer and the scenic beauty of nature.
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