Friends of the Observatory Blog

A New Year to Look Forward to

Melissade — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:54:20 +0000

January 2011 – wow! FOTO already has a roster of events lined up! Cosmic Musings Lecture Series, trips to inspire you, special events you won’t want to miss. Keep an eye out on your email and on our Calendar of Events here on the website.

We Couldn’t Do It Without You!

Melissade — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:55:51 +0000

Don’t let me forget to give a big shout out to our fantastic FOTO Volunteer Corps. Over the last few years we have been creating a program designed specifically around our amazing volunteers. These folks come to us with a fascinating array of experience and interests, and work as a concerted team to make FOTO a better organization for us all. From registering members and guests for the Cosmic Musings Lecture Series, to encouraging new memberships in FOTO, to assisting visitors to Griffith Observatory, to greeting and making guests at our events and special programs feel welcome – they do it all! And we are very grateful to them. If becoming a volunteer sounds interesting to you, it is easy. Take a look at the application form here on our website and complete and send it in to our office. We will contact you shortly about your interest.

Get on the List

Troy D. Powers — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 19:52:54 +0000

Do we have your email address? Many of FOTO’s and Griffith Observatory’s programs, offerings and astronomical updates are sent first to our email list. We don’t want you to miss out on learning what is going on at the Observatory. Email us your address to: fotofriend@earthlink.net to get on our list.

The Observatory Lights and the VMA’s

Troy D. Powers — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:48:18 +0000

The Observatory has been pictured in so many different ways – I thought I had seen it all. But this photo:

provides a dimension and perspective none of us had ever imagined. As many women will attest, lighting make s a huge difference! And the genius’s with the Video Music Awards managed to light the Observatory in an extraordinary way!

A Place for Everyone

Melissade — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:45:42 +0000

Just a few days ago I was watching the “changing of the guard”. Not the one at Buckingham Palace, but the one on Griffith Observatory’s front lawn. The children and teachers who attended the School Field Trip program were on their way out to their school buses. And right behind them, I caught sight of a tour bus with senior citizens coming to experience the Observatory. It was such a incredible reminder that the Observatory is a place for everyone. There is something for each of us here at Griffith Observatory to learn and marvel at. No matter who you are or what your background is.

School Field Trip Program

Troy D. Powers — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 04:39:00 +0000

It is that time of year again, when we open Griffith Observatory’s phone lines to teachers and administrators making reservations for the 5^th grade School Field Trip. This year, the phone lines crashed as demand for this wonderful program is so high. I think of it as almost a rite of passage for 5^th grade students in Los Angeles. If you grew up here, or raised your children here, you know that this school field trip is one of the best! One teacher who has been fortunate enough to participate often in both the Bus Scholarship program and the School Field Trip program says is best:

“I pretty much guarantee that if you think back to your days in elementary school, you’ll call to mind the things you did. . . . And this is germane, for it is experiences like those offered at Griffith Observatory that become the hooks upon which the brain hangs learning. And when students subsequently return to the classroom, not only is the resultant learning more readily retained, the motivation with which the students are infused continues to foster further growth throughout all subject areas”.

The Road to Palomar Mountain

Melissade — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:01:45 +0000

The trip to Palomar Observatory was so much fun – even though I was dreading the long bus trip there and back. But, while driving to Palomar Observatory we saw a very good movie called Journey to Palomar which gave us a great sense of the historical importance of Palomar as well as how the telescopes are being used today. We had wonderful guides and presentations at the Observatory and enjoyed a delicious dinner. A Star Party was the final icing on the cake for us. Cannot wait to go back!

MacTech Conference

Melissade — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:22:41 +0000

The other night something extraordinary happened at the Observatory. No, it wasn’t purely astronomical. What it was, was a wonderful outpouring of generosity that took us all by surprise.

Many months ago, FOTO was approached by the people at MacTech, a computer tech magazine, about the possibility of bringing their conference attendees up to the Observatory as a special evening outing. We were delighted to have them all, and the great production team at Griffith Observatory presented a special round table lecture on the behind-the-scenes aspects of creating a full dome planetarium show. (Many of our FOTO members have experienced a similar presentation). The lecture was presented twice (due to the size of the MacTech conference), and each time the attendees were impressed by the Observatory’s ingenuity and skills. But they were also impressed with how much is accomplished with so little, and they stood up and offered help, ideas and recommendations. In fact, one member of the audience went straight to our computer and ordered, then and there, equipment for the production team!!

We are still in the process of connecting with all those that offered ideas and help. We are incredulous and so very pleased with this outreach to Griffith Observatory.

Jupiter in the Autumn Sky

Melissade — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:42:04 +0000

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. And this year, looking up at Jupiter and seeing the City of the Angels from the roof top of Griffith Observatory really does inspire awe.

The nighttime beauty of the City and the canopy of dark night and bright Jupiter is just one reason to love Los Angeles. Following our recent Indoor Star Party presentation, I was reminded all over again about how incredible our sky-scape is.

Save the Date: FOTO Holiday Party

Troy D. Powers — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:51:35 +0000

Our annual FOTO Holiday Party is scheduled for December 6. I always enjoy this gathering – meeting and re-connecting with so many great FOTO members. If you can join us, please call and make a reservation. It is a nice way to continue to enhance the holiday spirit.