Event 3: Centered in the Universe at the Griffith Observatory

Last Sunday, I paid a visit to the renowned Griffith Observatory for the first time. Built in 1933, scientists have used the observatory and its equipment for decades to study the night sky in order to better understand our universe.

Me in front of the entrance to the Griffith Observatory.

The main attraction, of course, is the observatory itself. At about 1134 feet above the ocean, this historic structure can be seen all the way from the Hollywood sign to downtown Los Angeles. Although they are no longer used, the observatory contains a 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope in the east dome and a triple-beam coelostat in the west dome, both of which scientists once used to study outer space. 

The east dome of the observatory.

However, the spectacle I came to the observatory to see was the "Centered in the Universe" show in the Samuel Oschin planetarium. Using the Digistar 3 digital laser projection system and the Zeiss Universarium Mark IX star projector, the show was projected onto the dome-like screen of the planetarium, providing a 360 degree viewing experience.

In the show, the narrator explained the history of the universe from the beginning with the Big Bang to today with our modern theories about the cosmos such as dark matter and dark energy, and all of the scientific theories  (like heliocentrism) about our solar system in between. The show incorporated many artistic components, including the aesthetically-pleasing visual presentation of the show and references to how early astronomers made artistic interpretations of the constellations into figures from ancient mythology. The show also presented depictions of what early scientists thought the the solar system looked like, showing that space has inspired art for centuries, not just in modern times.

The inside of the Samuel Oschin planetarium before the show.

After the show, there was still much to see in the observatory. I saw many depictions of the cosmos and the explanations its origins, from which I can see how artists can be inspired by outer space to create works of art in art media such as painting, photography, and music.

A diagram of the origins of the Big Bang, reminiscent of the space and nebula art I commonly see nowadays especially in fashion.

As I looked at all of the items and diagrams about the universe on display at the observatory, I realized that space provides so much potential for artistic inspiration. It is a vast, largely unknown field of exploration, with so much to see and a cosmic aesthetic that has a universal appeal. As human beings, we are naturally curious about things that are mysterious and beautiful, and with the help of science and technology, we are able to better view the cosmos to satisfy our wonder. 

One of the telescopes of the observatory; an aid for artists and scientists alike.

Using technology for better artistic inspiration is not just limited to space art; we see people using all sorts of scientific technology like MRI machines and STM microscopes to better understand things like the body and the atom. In utilizing these technologies, artists can not only find a new source of inspiration for their works, but they can also garner a better understanding of science. It is in this way that the artistic and scientific disciplines can be bridged together, reconcile with each other's differences, and benefit from each other's contributions. Perhaps the telescope at the Griffith Observatory has once been used for that very purpose, showing that even this site has been involved in the intersection of the arts and the sciences.

A final memento of my visit at the observatory.

Sources/Links

1)The Griffith Observatory website: http://www.griffithobs.org/

2)More about the observatory: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffith_Observatory

3)The show's official page on the website: http://www.griffithobservatory.org/buildingfiles/bcentered.html

4)More shows you can see at the observatory: http://www.griffithobservatory.org/psoplanet.html