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Great observatories in the West

Mount Wilson Observatory Although visitors can tour the observatory on a daily basis from April 1 to Nov. 30, you must make a reservation and pay a fee in order to peek through the 60-inch reflecting telescope (measured by the diameter of the mirror that reflects the light from the stars to an eyepiece). Groups no bigger than 25 can reserve the telescope from dawn to 1 a.m. at a cost of $800, or from dawn to dusk for $1,500. For more details, call (626) 440-9016 or go to the observatory's website. Visitors line up at the observatory, which houses a 60-inch telescope to gaze at the planets.

Mount Wilson Observatory

Although visitors can tour the observatory on a daily basis from April 1 to Nov. 30, you must make a reservation and pay a fee in order to peek through the 60-inch reflecting telescope (measured by the diameter of the mirror that reflects the light from the stars to an eyepiece).

Groups no bigger than 25 can reserve the telescope from dawn to 1 a.m. at a cost of $800, or from dawn to dusk for $1,500.

For more details, call (626) 440-9016 or go to the observatory’s website.

Visitors line up at the observatory, which houses a 60-inch telescope to gaze at the planets.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Ten great observatories in the West: Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona

Mount Graham International Observatory

Eastern Arizona College operates a visitor’s center called the Discovery Park near the observatory in Safford, Ariz.

Among the features is a 20-inch reflecting telescope and several exhibits explaining the origins of our universe.

The Discovery Park operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but the telescope is only open for public viewing on Saturday evenings, 4 to 10 p.m.

For more details, call (928) 428-6260 or go to the website.

A worker walks between the two 8.4-meter mirrors at the Large Binocular Telescope atop Mount Graham.  (Jeffry Scott / Associated Press)

Best observatories of the West: Mt. Graham International Observatory

Mount Graham International Observatory

The Discovery Park website describes the site as an “education and entertainment retreat” that focuses on the science and culture of the Gila Valley.

For more details, call (928) 428-6260.

The Large Binocular Telescope Observatory near the summit of Mount Graham , near the town of Safford, Ariz.  (David S. Steele / Associated Press)

Ten great observatories in the West: Griffith Park in Los Angeles

Griffith Park Observatory

The Los Angeles observatory offers free public access to the Zeiss, a 12-inch refracting telescope that’s believed to be the most-used telescope in the world.

Since the telescope was installed in 1935, more than 7 million people have looked through the Zeiss.

For more details, call (213) 473-0800 or go to the website. Also, check out the Sky Report to find out what’s up there to see.

Amateur astronomer Rob Komoto readies his telescope at the Griffith Park Observatory in hopes of catching a total eclipse of the moon -- something that won’t happen again until 2010.  (Richard Vogel / Associated Press)

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Best observatories in the West: Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Ariz

Lowell Observatory

The Lowell Observatory near downtown Flagstaff, Ariz., is one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. The Alvan Clark 24-inch refracting telescope is so powerful that it was used at the turn of the century to look for life on Mars.

The public viewing program runs from June through August, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fees: $6 for adults and $3 for youngsters.

For more details, call (928) 774-3358 or go to the website.

Pluto Dome is part of the Lowell Observatory. Pluto was discovered there in 1930.  (Matt York / Associated Press)

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