Great Astronomical Observatories Of The World

The great observatories of the world are responsibleallow public viewing of the universe since 1935. More
for many of the prolific astronomical observations ofthan five million people have looked through its lenses
the twentieth century. Telescopic photograpy, radiosince under the guidance of experienced Telescope
dish data collection, and infrared imaging are amongDemonstrators. The Griffith Observatory was also
the many different techniques observatories haveknown for its laserium light shows in previous years
been able to employ to learn about the heavens.although they have been discontinued at present.
The Palomar Observatory may be the most famousThe Hayden Planetarium in Boston is more than just a
of all. With five telescopes operated by Cal-Tech'splanetarium. It is also a museum. Along with its Gilliland
graduate and post-doctoral students, the 200-inch HaleObservatory, laser-light shows and a rotating star
telescope is the most famous of all Palomar'ssimulator are among some of the different multi-media
telescopes. Built in 1949, it was intended to overcomeastronomical experiences available to the public.
the onset of the southern California smog problem.The Greenwich Observatory in Cambridge, England
Other noteworthy telescopes operated at Cal-Techwas established in 1675 by King Charles II in order
include a telescope to search for supernovae, a cometpartially to fix longitude readings. It currently fixes the
hunter, a trio of sky cameras looking for planetary andorigin of the worldwide time reference point of
other celestial phenomena, an interferometer capableGreenwich Mean Time. An observatory in Portland
of detecting the slightest wobble in the orbits of aMaine is being restored as a famous architectural
planet, and a sixty inch telescope responsible formonument. Another observatory of note is the
spotting the first brown dwarf circling a companionUniversity of Chicago's Yerkes Observatory with its
star.five telescopes.
Cal Tech is also directly involved in the operation ofAll of these observatories have added to the vast
the Keck and Lick Observatories. The Keckarray of knowledge now known about the universe.
Observatory, located on top of Hawaii's dormantTheir importance to the history of astronomy, as well
Mauna Kea volcano contains the world's largest opticalas their continuing usefulness, can not be
and infrared telescopes. Its twin Keck telescopesoveremphasized.
stand eight stories high and weigh 300 tons each. Lick1) Palomar observed: For more than 50 years, science
Observatory is located on 4200 foot Mount Hamiltonabove and beyond; Scott LaFee; San Diego Union
east of San Jose, California. It contains nine researchTribune; November 2, 2005
telescopes with the largest being the Shane 3-meter2) CalTech Astronomy Website;
Reflector. This telescope is used to observe3) UC Observatories Website
everything from our local solar system to faraway4) Yerkes Observatory Website;
galaxies.5) Griffith Observatory Website;
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is known for6) Observatory view worth preserving; by John
its12-inch Zeiss Refracting telescope. This telescope'sAlphonse.
fame is largely due to the fact that it has been used to7) Hayden Planetarium Website.