Mount Wilson Observatory: A Self-Guided Walking Tour

By Harold McAlister

High in the San Gabriel Mountains overlooking Pasadena sits the greatest astronomical observatory of the twentieth century - Mount Wilson Observatory. Here is where Edwin Hubble delineated the vast, expanding Universe in the 1920s and where modern observational astrophysics first developed and is still being carried out. Visitors can explore this world-class science heritage site and enjoy its beautiful forest surroundings by taking a guided tour on weekends (Apr thru Nov) or by themselves throughout the year. This self-guided tour book, written by the Observatory's former director, is a must-have resource to get the most from your visit. It will show you how to get there, where to park, what amenities to expect, and provide a historical sketch of the Observatory. Then, you'll head off on an eight-stop walking tour with clear directions and intuitive maps to guide you. You'll learn about what you're seeing at each stop. You'll explore telescopes for studying the sun by day and the stars by night and even go inside the dome of the 100-inch telescope, the world's largest from 1919 until 1949. Two stops will tell you about the Observatory's modern CHARA Array facility - the world's most powerful telescope for resolving features on stars. You'll read about other things along your path to further enrich your visit.For less than the cost of your favorite coffee drink, you can explore Mount Wilson Observatory at your own pace. Be sure to buy or download this indispensable resource before going on your visit as there is no cell phone service on the mountain.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1793983569
• ISBN13: 9781793983565
• Release Date: February 2019
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 39 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 0.1" x 7.5"