Mount Wilson Observatory

Mount Wilson Observatory Where we discovered our place in the universe.

Happy birthday to Ferdinand Ellerman (1869–1940), a pioneering solar astronomer and an essential part of Mount Wilson Ob...
05/13/2026

Happy birthday to Ferdinand Ellerman (1869–1940), a pioneering solar astronomer and an essential part of Mount Wilson Observatory’s early history. Ellerman advanced our understanding of the Sun - especially sunspots and solar activity - and was responsible for the first systematic sunspot drawings at Mount Wilson. Photos: Ellerman at work, and the very first sunspot drawing made at the 150-foot Solar Tower, drawn by Ellerman on January 4, 1917.

FREE Star Party — This Friday, May 15 | Sunset–1 AM at Mount Wilson Observatory. Join the Los Angeles Astronomical Socie...
05/13/2026

FREE Star Party — This Friday, May 15 | Sunset–1 AM at Mount Wilson Observatory. Join the Los Angeles Astronomical Society for a night under the stars, with LAAS volunteers sharing views through their personal telescopes with the public. Jupiter and Venus will be shining brightly, and a SpaceX launch may also be visible during the evening. If the marine layer rolls in, expect excellent views of galaxies, globular clusters, and planetary nebulae. Planewave Telescopes will also be on site with a telescope trailer for public viewing. No tickets or RSVP required!
ℹ️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/starparty051526/

Tomorrow 5/9 at 3 PM: Matinees on the Mountain return with WALL·E (2008)! A story about curiosity, care, and discovery t...
05/09/2026

Tomorrow 5/9 at 3 PM: Matinees on the Mountain return with WALL·E (2008)! A story about curiosity, care, and discovery that feels right at home here on the mountain. A great afternoon for all ages—families welcome. Come early to explore the grounds or grab lunch at the Cosmic Café, then settle in for a film above the city. Tickets still available:
🎟️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/movie050926

Talks & Telescopes May 16: our first lecture and observing night of the season! Join us for an evening on the mountain w...
05/08/2026

Talks & Telescopes May 16: our first lecture and observing night of the season! Join us for an evening on the mountain with Michael Blanton, Director of Carnegie Observatories, exploring the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and its impact on modern astronomy. The night begins with the 5:30 PM talk, followed by picnicking and stargazing through our 60- and 100-inch telescopes - the most affordable way to experience these historic instruments in action.
🎟️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/talk051626/

A big thank you to the Sierra Club team who spent a week on the mountain for a service project. Working alongside CHARA ...
05/06/2026

A big thank you to the Sierra Club team who spent a week on the mountain for a service project. Working alongside CHARA and Mount Wilson staff, the group constructed a 75-foot retaining wall to replace aging sandbags and help protect critical infrastructure, including a new fiber optic line. They also contributed to trail work and cleanup projects across the site. We’re grateful for the time, effort, and care each volunteer brought!

Missed the first release? More Public Ticket Night dates are now live!Join us on the mountain for an evening of observin...
05/05/2026

Missed the first release? More Public Ticket Night dates are now live!
Join us on the mountain for an evening of observing through our historic 60- and 100-inch telescopes - the two largest in the world dedicated to public viewing. Guided by our experienced staff, these nights offer a rare opportunity to explore the sky under exceptional seeing conditions. Dates are released in phases throughout the season - take a look and plan your visit.
🎟 www.mtwilson.edu/public-ticket-nights/

Matinees on the Mountain return May 9 at 3 PM!This coming Saturday, please join us for the first matinee of the season: ...
05/04/2026

Matinees on the Mountain return May 9 at 3 PM!
This coming Saturday, please join us for the first matinee of the season: WALL·E (2008), a story about curiosity, care, and discovery that feels right at home here on the mountain. A great afternoon for all ages - families welcome! Come early to explore the grounds or grab lunch at the Cosmic Café, then settle in for a film above the city.
🎟️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/movie050926

Sunday, May 3 | 1PM: Another opportunity to explore Mount Wilson’s history - hosted by our neighbors at Lanterman House ...
05/02/2026

Sunday, May 3 | 1PM: Another opportunity to explore Mount Wilson’s history - hosted by our neighbors at Lanterman House in La Cañada. Sam Hale, CEO and Board Chair of the Mount Wilson Institute - and grandson of our founder George Ellery Hale - shares the story of his grandfather and the lasting impact of Mount Wilson on science and Southern California. Lanterman House lectures are free, with first come first served seating.

Where’s Tim tonight?Our Science Director Tim Thompson is headed to the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers - and nobody te...
05/01/2026

Where’s Tim tonight?
Our Science Director Tim Thompson is headed to the Pomona Valley Amateur Astronomers - and nobody tells the story of Mount Wilson quite like Tim.
7:30 PM | Harvey Mudd College Shanahan Center (Room B460)

A wonderful concert this weekend in the 100-inch dome, marking the debut of our 1907 Steinway, generously donated by Dr....
04/28/2026

A wonderful concert this weekend in the 100-inch dome, marking the debut of our 1907 Steinway, generously donated by Dr. James Vail who joined us for the afternoon. Fittingly, the piano shares its year with a key moment in the Observatory’s history - the casting of the 100-inch mirror blank in 1907 - bringing past and present together in a meaningful way. Despite the chill, it was a warm and memorable gathering. Tim Durkovic (piano), Ambroise Aubrun (violin), and Cécilia Tsan (cello) filled the dome with music by Beach, Fauré, Mozart, and Brahms. Thank you to all who attended in support of the piano and the Mount Wilson concert program. Our 2026 concert season begins May 24 - we hope to see you on the mountain!
Photos by Todd Mason.

The season is underway - and tickets are now available! Join us on the mountain for music, observing, conversations abou...
04/26/2026

The season is underway - and tickets are now available! Join us on the mountain for music, observing, conversations about the universe, films, tours, and more. We hope to see you here:
🎟 www.mtwilson.edu/events

Address

100 Mt Wilson Circle Rd
Mount Wilson, CA
91023

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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