Pictured: this morning's view from the Mt. Wilson Towercam
From Mt. Wilson Observatory:
Visitors to the world-famous Mt. Wilson Observatory can once again enjoy a memorable lunch among the telescope domes and Ponderosa pines up in the clear air overlooking the Los Angeles Basin.
The Mt. Wilson Institute today announced the opening of the “Cosmic Café” where visitors to this historic site can purchase fresh-made sandwiches, hot dogs, soft drinks, snacks and souvenirs. Not since 1992 has food been available for purchase at the Observatory to enhance the visitor experience or to refresh hikers as they reach the mountain’s summit.The Cosmic Café is located in the open-air pavilion overlooking the large parking lot just inside the gate to what has been known as Skyline Park since the 1970s. The pavilion serves as the entry point to the Observatory grounds.
“We’re delighted to reopen this food venue to the public after all these years,” said Dr. Hal McAlister, the Observatory director. “The income from the Cosmic Café will support our ‘Second Century Campaign’ in which we hope to build a wonderful new visitor center that will entice Southern Californians to rediscover this world-class science heritage site in their back yards.”
Mt. Wilson was home to the world’s largest telescopes during the first half of the 20th Century. The Observatory’s astronomers utilized those powerful instruments to revolutionize our understanding of the Universe. The Hubble Space Telescope was named for Mount Wilson’s most famous astronomer, Edwin Hubble.
The Angeles Crest Highway remains closed due to washouts following the Station Fire, but the Observatory is still readily accessible via LA County roads from Sunland. “The drive to Mount Wilson is a bit longer than we are all used to,” said McAlister, “but the roads are in great shape, and you can witness the recovery progress of the forest following the massive destruction of the Station Fire.”
While the Observatory is open daily to public visitation from 10 am to 4 pm during April through November, the Cosmic Café will be open initially only on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM until 4 PM. The Café will also be open on Mon., July 5, for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend.
A map and driving directions showing the current route to Mount Wilson Observatory are available at www.mtwilson.edu.
