EVENT 1: GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY

Me hanging out with Einstein

The Griffith Observatory was one of the most aesthetic experiences I ever had and is the perfect example of the integration of space and art. Beyond its architectural beauty, it is a public monument filled with astronomical treasures. Right at the start to greet its visitors is "The Astronomer's Monument," which honors the six astronomers: Hipparchus, Nicholas Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, and William Herschel. Both Copernicus's  heliocentric model and Newton's laws have been mentioned in our lectures as great foundations of the science world.


Right as I entered the doors I came across this gigantic pendulum which actually demonstrates the Earth's rotation. A 240-pound brass ball hangs from the ceiling and swings at a constant direction as the Earth turns beneath it. As the day passes the pendulum knocks over pegs in the pendulum pit one by one showing that the ground is indeed turning though we don't feel it. The exhibition is beautiful to look at, a worthy center piece, yet also displays a great phenomenon of our universe: the spinning of our planets.

One of the most iconic exhibits I saw was the "Tesla Coil." Named after the genius engineer, Nicolas Tesla, the Tesla Coil aimed to transmit electricity through air, and was essentially the first step towards wireless technology. I actually got to see the Tesla Coil at work, and it  is quite amazing, sending out blue-purple lightning-like discharges, emitting loud electric noises, and lighting up a sign connected to its alcove.

The space behind me is actually the amount of sky underneath one fingertip. This puts into perspective how large our universe actually is and how insignificant we actually are relative to everything else.

I would definitely recommend this site for it is mind blowing both aesthetically and scientifically; not to mention, the night view is to die for. I couldn't describe all the amazing exhibits I saw in one post, so it is best to go in person.

Extra links worth viewing:

Griffith Observatory Website

Virtual tour of Griffith Observatory

Sources:

"Exhibits: Hall of the Eye." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2014. <http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/bhallofeye.html>.

"Exterior Exhibits." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2014. <http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/bexterior.html>.

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles - A Virtual Tour. Matthew Field, 2009. Web. 29 July 2014. <http://www.mattfield.com/griffithobservatoryvr/tour.html>.

"Tesla Coil Griffith Observatory Los Angeles California HQ HD." YouTube. YouTube, 24 Feb. 2014. Web. 30 July 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOkAEvcO7aQ>.

"W.M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2014. <http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/brotunda.html>.