Mount Wilson Observatory

News from Mount Wilson:

1/6/2012 - U.S. Forest Service undertakes a fire fuels reduction program on Mount Wilson - More here.

12/1/2011 - The Observatory's Cosmic Cafe is closed for the winter. We will reopen the Cafe and resume our 1 pm guided tours on April 1, 2012.

Banner photographs by David Jurasevich.

Mount Wilson Observatory is operated by the Mount Wilson Institute under an agreement with the Carnegie Institution of Washington. The Observatory occupies lands belonging to the USDA Forest Service set aside under a long-term leasehold agreement between CIW and the USDA Forest Service. The Observatory subscribes to the USDA non-discrimination policy as expressed here.

The Sky Over Mount

What Light Pollution?

David Jurasevich, Superintendent of Mount Wilson Observatory, routinely takes stunning astronomical images from atop Mount Wilson using his own extensive arsenal of astronomical telescopes and imaging equipment. The latest of these was taken on 18/19 April 2009 and is a beautiful view of the M51, the "Whirlpool Galaxy" located in the constellation Canes Venatici.

Mr. Jurasevich has a gallery of many more beautiful astronomical images, many of which were obtained from Mount Wilson Observatory. Although the Observatory is situated adjacent to one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, the light pollution over the mountain is not nearly as serious as one might think. In fact, with the enactment of lighting ordinances in the City and County of Los Angeles and other southern California communities, the skies over the Observatory are darker than they were a quarter century ago.

Enjoy these amazing astrophotographs!