Griffith Observatory

It goes without saying that a full moon illuminating the night sky is visually stunning, but there's something about the crisp and delicate points in a crescent moon that demand equal awe.

Photo by Jarred Donkersley, Telescope Demonstrator,



Which moon phase do you prefer?

If you’ve never visited the Observatory, now’s your chance—virtually! If you have, there’s now a new layer to explore.

Enhance your visit to Griffith Observatory with exclusive audio, video, and exhibition guides, and click the link in our bio.

Griffith Observatory turns 91 today!

On May 14, 1935, the Observatory opened its doors for public astronomy. Each year millions of people visit the building whether by chance or on purpose and learn just a little more about the cosmos.



Have you been to Griffith Observatory?

Griffith Observatory joins Bloomberg Connects, making it the first observatory in the U.S. to join the app!

Enhance your visit to Griffith Observatory with exclusive audio, video, and exhibition guides. There’s something for everyone to discover.

What is Bloomberg Connects?
It's a free mobile app filled with exclusive, educational guides created by leading museums, gardens, and cultural spaces around the world. Visit https://www.bloombergconnects.org/ to learn more about other institutions they're partnered with.

To learn more visit https://griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/explore/digital-guide/

The iconic observatory that sits atop Mount Hollywood opened to the public on this day in 1935. It was the United States' third planetarium and one of the first institutions dedicated to public science. It's also one of the best places to get a view of the famous Hollywood Sign.

While Griffith Observatory has appeared in more that 150 screen productions, it plays a central role in one classic film. Do you know the movie? Share your guesses below and then see if you were right: https://bit.ly/4uPBraV

📸: Joe Sohm / Visions of America / Contributor

Clouds, while generally unfavorable for nighttime viewing, are such a lovely sight when illuminated by sunlight at dawn and dusk. You can see why.

This summer, lean back, look up, and experience the wonder of the cosmos through a one-of-a-kind journey into the night sky.

ABOVE returns to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium with Night Gallery: The Stars of the Summer. This magical program can be enjoyed three times this season and will be presented live by Griffith Observatory Director Dr. E.C. Krupp.

Explore the summer's constellations, hear the stories behind them, and enjoy exclusive access to the Observatory outside of regular public hours.

Seats for this beloved program will fill up fast, so go to the link in our bio to get tickets. Don't miss your chance to join us this summer in the coolest room in L.A.

This special event is hosted by Griffith Observatory Foundation and directly supports Griffith Observatory in its mission of inspiring everyone to observe, ponder, and understand the sky.

We're about halfway to the Summer Solstice, and we thought we'd share this awesome picture of the sun with quite a few prominences. Though small compared to the sun, prominences are quite massive with the largest recorded measuring 800,000 km (500,000 mi), which could fit 63 Earths!

Photo by David Pinsky, Museum Guide,
Photo date: December 8, 2025
Camera: Canon 6D Mk2
Equipment: Lunt 50 Solar Telescope