✨ Observe through Mount Wilson's legendary 60-inch & 100-inch telescopes on Saturday, July 25! Enjoy an astronomy talk, picnic or food truck dinner, then hours under the stars. One unforgettable evening at one of astronomy's most historic observatories. 🎟️ mtwilson.edu/events/lecture072526

Escape the heat. Spend Saturday on the mountain! Enjoy cooler temperatures, explore the historic grounds, visit the Cosmic Café, then experience The Right Stuff in our historic auditorium. More than a movie—it's a mountain getaway. 🎟️ mtwilson.edu/events/movie071826

Discover Mount Wilson Observatory with one of our expert volunteer docents! Weekend walking tours at 11:30 AM & 1 PM take you inside our historic telescopes and the discoveries that changed astronomy. Tickets available day-of at the Cosmic Café. Learn more: mtwilson.edu/weekend-docent-tours

There's something happening every weekend in July at Mount Wilson Observatory! Concerts, star parties, movies, telescope viewing, engineering tours, docent tours, the Cosmic Café, an art exhibition, & more. Plan your visit: mtwilson.edu

Gravitational waves, mountain sunsets, and observing through two historic giant telescopes! Join us this Saturday for Talks & Telescopes with Gabriel Vajente of LIGO, followed by viewing through both the 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes. 🎟️ mtwilson.edu/events/lecture062026

Tickets for August & September Public Ticket Nights are now available! Experience the night sky through Mount Wilson Observatory's historic 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes. These events sell out quickly, so don't wait. 🎟️ mtwilson.edu/public-ticket-nights/

A silent film about the cosmos. A live score with voice, woodwinds, synth, & organ. Yes, it's every bit as enchanting as it sounds. Join us for Matinees on the Mountain at Mount Wilson Observatory as we present Our Heavenly Bodies (1925). Saturday, June 13 • 3 PM 🎟️ mtwilson.edu/events/movie061326/

June 20: Spend a summer evening atop Mount Wilson! Enjoy an astronomy talk, dinner from the food truck (or bring a picnic), and observing through both the 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes. Feel the ripple effects of a great night out! 🎟️ mtwilson.edu/events/lecture062026

FREE Star Party! Fri, June 12 | Sunset–1 AM Join Mount Wilson Observatory and the Los Angeles Astronomical Society for a free evening under the stars. See Jupiter, Venus, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae through telescopes provided by LAAS members. Info: mtwilson.edu/events/starparty061226

There are many ways to explore Mount Wilson Observatory! Join a weekend public tour, book a private tour, take an Engineering Tour, or enjoy a self-guided visit. Discover the telescopes, history, and science that changed our understanding of the universe. Learn more: mtwilson.edu/tours

We recently welcomed a group from Friends in Deed to Mount Wilson Observatory for an evening under the stars. Guests enjoyed views through our historic telescopes and a chance to experience the night sky from one of Southern California’s most significant scientific landmarks. Thanks for visiting! ✨🔭

The Cosmic Café will be OPEN all Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25), 10 AM–5 PM! Public tours: Sat & Mon: 11:30 AM & 1 PM Sun: 11:30 AM only

Music returns to the 100-inch dome this Sunday, May 24, for the opening concert of Mount Wilson Observatory’s 2026 season! Mendelssohn & Fauré performed beneath the great telescope at 3 & 5 PM. Tickets going fast: mtwilson.edu/events/concert052426

FREE Star Party: Fri, May 15 ✨ Sunset–1 AM at Mount Wilson Join LAAS for a night under the stars: Jupiter & Venus, plus a possible SpaceX launch No tickets or RSVP ℹ️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/starparty051526/

Talks & Telescopes — May 16 Our first lecture & observing night of the season with Michael Blanton (Carnegie Observatories). 5:30 PM talk + stargazing through the 60- & 100-inch telescopes. 🎟️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/talk051626/

Missed the first release? More Public Ticket Night dates are now live Additional dates will be released throughout the season. 🎟 www.mtwilson.edu/public-ticket-nights/

Matinees on the Mountain return May 9 at 3 PM Join us for WALL·E (2008) - a perfect afternoon for all ages. Arrive early to explore or grab a bite at the Cosmic Café. 🎟️ www.mtwilson.edu/events/movie050926

Mount Wilson is known for its historic discoveries - but observing continues today. Our imaging program captures galaxies, nebulae, star clusters & planets - continuing a legacy of studying light. Images by Reggie Jones @ Mount Wilson Observatory www.mtwilson.edu/imaging

First Star Party of the season ✨ Fri, April 17 | Sunset–1 AM | FREE Join Los Angeles Astronomical Society at Mount Wilson Observatory for an evening under the stars. No tickets, no RSVP - just show up! mtwilson.edu/events/starparty041726/

Inside the 100-inch dome, Orion lingered just long enough for a glimpse of M42 before slipping below the horizon. A quick snap—but a real moment. (Photo: Nik Arkimovich) www.mtwilson.edu/observe/

A 1907 Steinway—built in the same era as Mount Wilson’s great telescopes—makes its home on the mountain. Join us April 26 for Echoes of Discovery, a special piano premiere & fundraiser in the 100-inch dome. 🎟 www.mtwilson.edu/events/piano...

2026 docent training is underway! We welcomed both longtime docents and new trainees this past weekend as we prepare for another season sharing the history and science of Mount Wilson Observatory. Tours resume April 11 (weather permitting). See you on the mountain!

A new season is on the horizon at Mount Wilson Observatory! Concerts in the Dome, Talks & Telescopes, Matinees on the Mountain, tours, public observing nights, free star parties & more! Science, history, engineering & the arts - all on the mountain. Details coming soon.

Work where the forest meets the stars! ✨🌲 The Cosmic Café at Mount Wilson Observatory is hiring for the 2026 season. Part-time, seasonal position (spring–fall) with weekend availability. Love working with people? Send your resume & cover email to: [email protected]

Behind the scenes at the 150-Foot Solar Tower: our Technical Services volunteers recently completed critical maintenance to help preserve this 124-year-old solar research instrument for the future. Video: Rob Skinner

Completed in 1912, the 150-ft Solar Tower became one of history’s most important solar instruments. Since 1917, astronomers here have kept the world’s longest continuous hand-drawn sunspot record—still vital to solar science today.

Seeking enthusiastic communicators! Love Mount Wilson Observatory? Join our Docent Team. Training starts March 2026—no astronomy background required. Lead weekend tours and help bring Mount Wilson’s scientific legacy to life. Apply: mtwilson.edu/docents

Completed in 1908, Mount Wilson’s 60-foot Solar Tower transformed solar observing with daily, precise studies of sunspots and motion. Using it, George Ellery Hale identified magnetic fields on the Sun—revealing magnetism as a universal force and helping define modern solar physics.

We miss you too! Big plans are brewing for our 2026 season—concerts, lectures, tours, movies & more. The Cosmic Café and public tours return weekends in mid-April, with public events in May. Want the scoop? Join our mailing list or follow along here. See you on the mountain soon! bit.ly/mwosignup

Brought from Yerkes Observatory in 1904, the Snow Solar Telescope was the first instrument at the Mount Wilson Solar Observatory. It enabled early studies of sunspots and solar spectra, helping lay the foundation of modern solar physics—and still inspires visitors today.

Thanks to you, Mount Wilson Observatory begins 2026 strong. We’re deeply grateful to the members and donors who supported our year-end campaign - every gift helps preserve a century of discovery. Thank you, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for concerts, lectures, and nights under the stars!

“It cannot too often be repeated that the Sun is the only star whose phenomena can be studied in detail.” With these words, George Ellery Hale set the vision for the Mount Wilson Solar Observatory - where solar research was central from the very beginning.

With Mount Wilson Observatory’s STEM Program, students visit the mountaintop where humanity discovered its place in the universe. Einstein, Hawking, and Carl Sagan all came here—now today’s students can too. Know a teacher or school group? Please share! Learn more: www.mtwilson.edu/stem

Winter hours at Mount Wilson: open daily 10AM–4PM with the museum, 100-inch gallery & restrooms open. Café and public tours return in spring; private tours available by booking. ❄️ Road conditions change quickly - check LA County road closures before visiting.

Safety first: because of poor road conditions, the Cosmic Café will be closed tomorrow (Sat Dec 27) and the 11:30AM tour has been canceled. We’ll keep you posted about Sunday. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Explore the historic telescopes that changed astronomy! Saturday tours at 11:30AM thru Dec 27 (weather permitting). Start at the Cosmic Café, join the tour, stay for the views. A perfect winter outing - and our merch table has great last-minute gifts!

The 60-inch telescope keeps running thanks to the dedication of people like Bill Leflang (L), shown here reviewing its control systems with our Technical Services Team. Many of the systems Bill designed decades ago remain essential to its performance today. Photo: Rob Skinner

Unfortunately, this Saturday’s Star Party is canceled due to forecasted clouds. We’re grateful to everyone who planned to join us and to the LAAS volunteers who make these events possible. Thanks for understanding—we’ll share next season’s schedule in early spring! ✨

Hiking, biking, or driving up Angeles Crest? The Cosmic Café is your warm rest stop at the top of the world—open weekends 10–4 through Dec 28. Hot food, warm drinks & great views. Saturday tours at 11:30AM. Just a few weekends left before we close for the season!

THIS SATURDAY, DEC 13 — FREE STAR PARTY! ✨ (Weather permitting—check our socials Friday!) Join us for the final star party of the season, sunset to midnight, with LAAS volunteers sharing incredible views through their telescopes. Enter through the main gate. Info: www.mtwilson.edu/star-parties

Mount Wilson depends on supporters who care about preserving our cosmic legacy. A year-end gift or membership keeps our telescopes, domes & programs thriving for future generations. Give before Dec 31: www.mtwilson.edu/support-us

Can’t get to the mountain for holiday shopping at our merch store? No problem! 🎁 Find Mount Wilson merch online at www.mtwilson.edu/merch - every purchase supports the Observatory.

Big news: The Cosmic Café is staying open weekends through Dec 28! Enjoy our winter menu 10AM–4PM - chili, vegan tomato soup, hot drinks & sweet treats - plus stunning mountain views. Saturday tours at 11:30AM (weather permitting). Come up and say hello!

Please note: the Observatory gates will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. We’re grateful for our members, donors, staff, and dedicated volunteers - your support keeps this historic site thriving. THANK YOU! (Photo: Andrew Carnegie & George Ellery Hale, 1910)

It’s been a landmark year at Mount Wilson - sold-out concerts, new film nights, and first-time visitors marveling at the 100-inch telescope. As we celebrate 120+ years of discovery, your support keeps our legacy alive. Join or donate: www.mtwilson.edu/support-us

The Cosmic Café is open weekends 10–4! ☕🌭 Grab hot drinks, chili, vegan tomato soup, hot dogs, sandwiches, sweet treats & more. Stay warm with hoodies, beanies, jackets and cozy socks. Docent-led Observatory tours: Sat & Sun at 11:30 & 1:00. Come hungry, leave happy!

This 1910 photo shows scientists from across the globe at Mount Wilson for the Fourth Conference on Solar Research—an early effort to coordinate international astronomy. H.C. Wilson later called it “a remarkable meeting” for its people, purpose, and place.

🌧️ Weather Update: Due to the rainy conditions, all docent tours at the Observatory are cancelled this weekend (Nov 15-16). Stay dry, and we’ll see you on the mountain again soon!

Aurora over Mount Wilson! The North Tower Cam caught a rare glimpse of the northern lights around 8:45 PM on Nov 11 — caused by a strong geomagnetic storm from a recent solar flare.

The Fall 2025 issue of Reflections is here! Explore stories of innovation, history & community from Mount Wilson — from the 60-inch telescope’s legacy to early hybrid trucks & our new film series. Read now: mtwilson.edu/reflections-fall2025