Frequently asked questions

How do they look through the telescope? Can I look?

Astronomers rarely look directly through modern research telescopes. The human eye was replace by cameras for most research decades ago. Today, a myriad of sensitive instruments are used to collect and analyze the light that the telescope collects. Cameras using specially designed CCD chips -- relatives of the chips used in common digital cameras -- take photographs in much less time than film cameras did and with much better sensitivity to all wavelengths of light. Spectrographs spread the light out into its many wavelengths (across all colors) and CCD cameras again record the resulting spectrum. Special photometers measure the intensity of light from distant objects in particular wavelengths. All of these -- and more -- do a better job of gathering information than the eye ever could. Many large telescopes can't even be equipped with an eyepiece so that our eyes can see an image. While the impression of seeing celestial wonders through a telescope with our own eyes can't be replaced, the human eye can't accomplish the many specialized research goals of modern electronic instruments.

Public viewing through the 60-inch telescope is available to individuals and groups. Fee and scheduling information is available here. To read the information packet you will need the free Acrobat Reader. The observatory's other telescopes are dedicated to research only.

Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles -- a landmark public observatory and planetarium since 1935 -- is available for free public viewing through telescopes. Griffith Observatory is closed for renovation and expansion until May 2006 but public viewing is available at the observatory's satellite facility in Griffith Park. Check with Griffith Observatory for further information.