OBSERVATORY NEWS

OBSERVATORY OFFERS PUBLIC VIEWING
OF PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE
On Sunday, May 20, the Observatory welcomed thousands of people for free viewing of the partial solar eclipse. Observatory staff, along with volunteers from the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and The Planetary Society, offered visitors the chance to look through filtered telescopes, the coelostat, and Observatory eclipse glasses and solaramas.

View Observatory News and Special Notice Archive Here.

ASTRONOMY NEWS

Is That A Meteorite?
Wondering if that unusual rock you found is not of this Earth? Check out this helpful website to see if you've got a real meteorite on your hands.

SPECIAL NOTICES

INFORMATION ON PUBLIC TELESCOPES
Free public telescopes are available each evening the Observatory is open and skies are clear. Knowledgeable telescope demonstrators are available to guide visitors in observing. Please be aware that the demonstrators must cut off the line for each telescope to enable all viewing to be completed by 9:45 p.m. Hours for telescope operation are not the same as for the building (which closes at 10:00 p.m.)

ADVICE ON VISITING

Open Wednesday-Friday 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.
Open Saturday-Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

Griffith Observatory is located at:
2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
Click here for a map showing how to get to the Observatory

The address above can be entered into GPS or mapping programs to get directions to the Observatory.

Please be aware that Griffith Park inbound gates close each evening at 10:00 p.m. If you are being picked up by a cab or friend, please make sure they are in the park before 10:00 p.m.

Tickets for the Samuel Oschin Planetarium
We currently offer three exciting live shows scheduled every 60 to 90 minutes each day the Observatory is open. Show tickets may be purchased ONLY at the Observatory, only for that day's shows. Tickets are available at the main ticket counter inside or at automated ticket machines around the building. No advance purchases or phone transactions are possible. Children under 5 are admitted ONLY to the first show each day. Tickets for each show are sold until 10 minutes before the listed start time of that show, unless tickets have been sold out prior to that time. Once you have purchased planetarium tickets, there will be NO refunds (unless the show is canceled). You must be in line for your show at least 10 minutes before the show time printed on your ticket. There will be building announcements as a reminder, but you are ultimately responsible for being on time. There will be absolutely no late admission to the theater. Once the doors have closed, the show is underway and must not be interrupted.

Be Aware of Greek Theatre Traffic
The 2012 Greek Theatre season runs from April-October.  Heavy traffic on concert nights may affect how quickly you are able to reach the Observatory. A northbound lane on Vermont Avenue is always open for Observatory traffic to bypass those trying to park at the Greek. For the schedule of Greek Theatre shows, please click here.

Admission and Parking Are Free
Those wishing to visit Griffith Observatory may drive up to the Observatory and park in the parking lot or on the adjacent roads. No shuttles are required. Admission to the Observatory building and grounds is FREE! Advance reservations are not needed to visit. For more information on how to visit, click here.

Mobile Phone Reception Spotty at Observatory
Please be aware that most mobile phones seem to have difficulty getting a clear signal while in and around the Observatory. This appears to be more of an issue for voice calls than for data reception.

Weekend Public Bus Service
The LADOT Observatory Shuttle operates every Saturday and Sunday, except holidays, between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. from the Vermont/Sunset Metro Red Line station to the Observatory. There is NO parking available in or around the Metro station. For more information, click here.