More than 100 years later, important astronomical research continues at Mount Wilson, especially the CHARA Array, operated by Georgia State University. Don't ask me what it does. I've had it explained to me twice, once by John and once by Craig Woods, and I still don't get it. But it looks cool from above.
Craig Woods, by the way, is the reason John and I got a behind-the-scenes tour. He's our friend and the superintendent at Mount Wilson, the guy with all the keys. He's up on all the experiments, the history, and the equipment at Mount Wilson. Plus he's willing to climb some precarious ladders.
I hope you'll take another look at my May 10th post about Mount Wilson. Here's a further explanation of those photos:
First, that big engine, and its rheostat, power the tool-making shed. 110 years ago, when you got up to Mount Wilson with your mule cart or your Model-T, you weren't about to run down to Flintridge if you forgot your screwdriver. If you needed a tool or a part, you made it. Many of those magnificent old things are still there. Some explain themselves, some don't. Unless you're Craig, then you know what they are.
Near the tool shed is another shed that's a treasure trove of maps, blueprints and files. There's a small library with early Scientific American magazines and other works. There's an ancient and dusty stand-up grand piano and a pool table that hasn't been used in, I would guess, 20 years.
More soon.
12 comments:
Wonderful write-up, refreshingly different from the usual things I read about Mt. Wilson, yet accurate. You have such a gift. Oh, I also love the photos. I wish I'd gone with you to see inside the Monastery. Some of those books belonged to Hale himself.
Thank you, Bellis! I hate to disappoint you but we didn't get to see inside the Monastery. I'm hoping to do that on another trip.
If you don't know: "the Monastery," as I understand it, is sort of like a dorm. 100 years ago, you needed a place to house your astronomers while they studied the stars up on the mountain.
It looks like a wonderful place to transition into museum space.
Thank you! And I just love that blue-print photo. Those old drawers -- made to protect and preserve maps and blue-prints, and other feats of engineering are so beautiful, aren't they?
It's perfect, William. I love it there on the mountain. One of my favorite things about it is I can see the blinking lights of the nearby radio towers from my house.
Karin, there are many of these old filing drawers at Mount Wilson. These serve the current purpose and I hope they'll be kept in place, even when newer technology is brought to the mountain to preserve the papers.
I think you got up there just in time. There's probably snow up there now, although the low clouds covering the mountain made it impossible to tell today.
I hope there's snow! You'd have to like cold (or at least cool) weather to work there for long.
It does look pretty with all the mist.
I suspect my father would love that tool-making shed !! Lovely pics, Petrea, and here's to stargazing, with or without the gadgets.
One of my favorite places. I get the museum angle but Mount Wilson still does valuable work -- yes/no?
Shell, even I like that toolshed!
PA, there's still sun research there using the solar telescope, and if you click the link above for the CHARA array you'll find information about what that whole experiment is about. I find it complicated but apparently it's important.
Yes, CHARA is a very relevant tool still in use in astronomical circles. It is too bad that the pool table isn't in use anymore. I like the image of astronomers debating their latest findings over a game of 9-Ball. Glad to see that they are transitioning parts of the facility to a museum. That is an era of America that I'd hate to see shut away and forgotten.
I would, too, Eric. But I'm optimistic. With Caltech and JPL right here, I hope there are enough people grateful to the early astronomers of Mt. Wilson to help keep it beautiful and available.
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