Event 2 Griffith Observatory

Griffith Observatory has two phases and holds two completely different atmospheres for visitors. I have been there once during daytime and recently I went there again during nighttime. Drastically different perception, distinctive memories. The 
observatory is a popular tourist attraction with an extensive array of space and science-related displays.

The Ahmanson Hall of the Sky establishes human's connection to the primary objects in our sky: the Moon and the Sun. I am not an expert on universe, so I did some research and adopted some professional vocabularies to give a short explanation on what I saw. Coelostat and Solar Telescopes provide different real-time view of your local star, including sunspots and solar flares. They are often used in solar observatories where moving small tracking mirrors is preferable to moving large telescope attached to heavy equipment.

Once I got downstairs, there was the Cosmic Connection. This corridor provides the transition from ground-based and other astronomy to a new realm of cosmic perspective. Through the windows, we see a 150-foot timeline of the universe. There is the Big Bang near the Guide station, and at the bottom end, where the Edge of Space mezzanine is, the presentation of human history appears in my sight. Walking around the corridors widens my scope of both astronomy and human development.

Now lets switch gear to the nighttime Griffith. It is hard to deny the fact that the outside ground and observatory stations provide a romantic place for dating (strongly recommend to those who fell in love already and those who are on the way). The plain ground is such a great point to view the entire feature of Mount Hollywood and the great Los Angeles area. Since there is not many lights at night, it is pretty dim around the observatory.  Since we left the observatory too late at night, there was a surprise for us: A parking ticket of $60!! For those of you who wants to have a romantic date there, PLEASE remember to do so and leave before 10: 45 pm!

To summarize, here are my favorite parts: The memorial to James Dean on the right front of the complex; the Foucault pendulum in the building is wonderful at showing the rotation of the earth and believe me, it is pretty attractive when you stare at it and wonder how it rotates in a circle; the Tesla coil releases the energy surprising visitors and brings yells and surprise; finally, the planetarium would be a great place for kids of all ages. I would really recommend all of my classmates and friends to take a look and deeply explore the observatory.

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