Griffith Observatory stands on Mount Hollywood above Los Angeles as both a landmark viewpoint and a public center for astronomy. It grew from Griffith J. Griffith’s 1896 land gift and later bequest, intended to bring astronomy to ordinary people through an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium with free admission. Opened in 1935, it became the nation’s third planetarium and drew large crowds immediately. Its architecture blends Greek, Beaux-Arts, and Moderne elements, and its notable features include the heavily used Zeiss refracting telescope, astronomy exhibits, and the Astronomers Monument. It also trained wartime pilots and Apollo-era astronauts and was extensively restored and expanded from 2002 to 2006.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain