Visited Mt. Wilson observatory close to Pasadena. Was planning it before we arrived in Irwine, but GPS gave wrong directions and ended up at wrong place close to Caltech. Almost missed the guided tour. Were 5 minutes late but could attend most of it. This site is terrific! Guided tour guide was well read and well informed.
Saw 100 inch main telescope. It used to be world's largest telescope for long time. Mr. Hale erected it here because this place is above the fog and clouds and visibility is great at this hight. 100 inch scope has its many achievements to claim. Very well known Hubble's discovery of Expanding universe is attributed to this scope.
Chara array of scopes is wonderful concept. There is always a physical limit as to how big telescope you can build. It has 6, 40 " scopes equally spaced on 3 sides of Y letter. They synchronize those 6 images by computer. So, essentially it gives the effect of a huge telescope with mirror as big as the perimeter of circle that touches 3 sides of the Y.
It is credited to discover why star Spica has so much light in the center. That is because of distorted shape of the star because of its fast spin.
We also saw the solar scopes in action. There were scientists monitoring the robotic arm making drawings of the solar spots.
Michelson Morley's experiment to find the speed of light was conducted here. When Einstein visited Mr. Wilson observatory, he had dual intention, to see observatory and to meet Michelson who was stationed here.
Was a well worth a visit.
Saw 100 inch main telescope. It used to be world's largest telescope for long time. Mr. Hale erected it here because this place is above the fog and clouds and visibility is great at this hight. 100 inch scope has its many achievements to claim. Very well known Hubble's discovery of Expanding universe is attributed to this scope.
Chara array of scopes is wonderful concept. There is always a physical limit as to how big telescope you can build. It has 6, 40 " scopes equally spaced on 3 sides of Y letter. They synchronize those 6 images by computer. So, essentially it gives the effect of a huge telescope with mirror as big as the perimeter of circle that touches 3 sides of the Y.
It is credited to discover why star Spica has so much light in the center. That is because of distorted shape of the star because of its fast spin.
We also saw the solar scopes in action. There were scientists monitoring the robotic arm making drawings of the solar spots.
Michelson Morley's experiment to find the speed of light was conducted here. When Einstein visited Mr. Wilson observatory, he had dual intention, to see observatory and to meet Michelson who was stationed here.
Was a well worth a visit.
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