Mount Wilson: The 60-Inch Telescope

When I said Craig Woods has the keys to Mount Wilson, I meant he has all the keys. He took us inside the housing for the 60-inch telescope. I love that he can flip a switch and the motorized roof opens like the mouth of a big, mechanical monster. Anyone walking by can hear it grinding its teeth.

The 60-inch has lately been used mostly for Hollywood parties. Fun, huh? Take your famous friends up the mountain and watch the stars through a bigger, better telescope than you could ever fit into your back yard. It's a great way for the Observatory to raise much-needed funds. You can schedule your own viewing party at either the 60-inch or the 100-inch telescope. You can also get guided tours of the Observatory. And keep an eye on the website and the Facebook page for other special events throughout the year.

Here I am lying on the floor beneath the telescope, looking up at the 60 inch mirror.

 

John and Craig give you an idea of the size of the building, though I didn't manage the top of the dome.

I took this one of Craig inside the building that houses the 100-inch telescope. If you're familiar with the Mount Wilson Observatory, you might recognize the window on the center right. It's the visitors' viewing gallery, open to the public—from the other side. We got to bypass that and go inside via a rear staircase. I'll show you that part of our visit next time.