Best time to visit Los Angeles

Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles

For over a century this observatory has gathered the most eminent astronomers

Best time: April–November

Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory
Mount Wilson Observatory

The historic Mount Wilson Observatory is located in Los Angeles County, near Pasadena. Mount Wilson, a peak of 1,740 m (5,710 ft), has a remarkably steady air quality due to the inversion layer that traps smog over the city. This makes it ideal for astronomy and interferometry. In 1926, Nobel prize winner Albert Michelson measured the speed of light, as light beam travelled to a reflecting mirror 22 miles away from the Mount Wilson Observatory. Edwin Hubble also used a telescope mirror over 8 ft wide here and made a few discoveries that helped understand the universe better. In particular, he identified galaxies outside our Milky Way and realized that many of them were getting further from our Earth. Visitors can see the telescope and chair in which Hubble was sitting when he made his observations.

The observatory contains many telescopes of historical value. In part, the 100-inch (2.5 m) Hooker telescope, which was the largest aperture telescope in 1917-1949, and the 60-inch telescope which was the largest in the world in 1908.

The increasing light pollution from Los Angeles is affecting the ability of the Mount Wilson Observatory to do research, but it still remains the center of stellar research.

The observatory is normally open from April till late November. It can be reached by Angel’s Crest Highway or a day-long hike through Angeles National Forest.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit Mount Wilson Observatory?

Mount Wilson Observatory is open to visitors from April to late November. This period is the best time to visit as visitors can see the telescopes which have been used many years ago like the 100-inch Hooker telescope and the telescope and chair used by Edwin Hubble. However, the observatory is closed for the remainder of the year due to harsh weather conditions. Show more

Where is Mount Wilson Observatory located?

Los Angeles County, in close proximity to Pasadena, hosts the Mount Wilson Observatory. Its location, Mount Wilson, rises to an elevation of 1,740 meters (5,710 ft). Tourists can access the observatory on foot through Angeles National Forest or Angel's Crest Highway, and it is amenable for astronomy and interferometry due to its exceptional air quality on account of the inversion layer that traps smog over the city. Show more

What is the height of Mount Wilson Peak?

Mount Wilson houses the Mount Wilson Observatory and stands at an elevation of 1,740 meters (5,710 ft). It is positioned in the San Gabriel Mountains and is renowned for its unchanging air quality, suitable for observing the universe. Visitors willing to visit the observatory can get there by walk through Angeles National Forest or Angel's Crest Highway. Show more

What are some of the historical telescopes found at Mount Wilson Observatory?

The Mount Wilson Observatory is home to several historical telescopes, including the 100-inch (2.5 m) Hooker telescope, identified as the largest aperture telescope in the years 1917-1949. Edwin Hubble used a telescope mirror greater than eight feet wide at the observatory, where he practiced observations that led to more significant discoveries about the universe. Again, his chair and telescope are visible today at the observatory. Show more

How is the observatory affected by light pollution from Los Angeles?

Light pollution from Los Angeles has started to disrupt the research activities conducted at the Mount Wilson Observatory recently and has resulted in decreased visibility. This primary center of stellar research remains exclusive despite the increasing levels of light pollution. The observatory's administration is making efforts to shield the observatory from the deteriorating impact of widespread light pollution to preserve its position as an essential center of astronomical research and edification. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin