Event 2: Griffith Observatory

Much like my visit to the Getty Museum, the Griffith Observatory’s architecture was one of a kind and can even be recognized from far away.  Actually, some of the exhibits can be found from the architecture itself.  There were a few that stood out in particular for their artistic elements and scientific significance, the first one being the Astronomer’s Monument.  It stands right in front of the Griffith Observatory and pays homage to six of the greatest astronomers so far, including Nicholas Copernicus, whom was talked about in the Space and Art lecture.  I almost didn’t notice the Solar System Lawn Model exhibit as I walked toward the entrance, but this model is scaled down 110 million times from actual.  Even on this micro scale, it still gave me a physical perspective on how enormous our solar system is.  The West Observation Terrace sounds like just a fancy name for just a view of Los Angeles, but the view was really quite breathtaking.  One can see everything from downtown Los Angeles all the way to the Pacific Ocean.  

Many of the interior exhibits demonstrated a combination of old and recent technology, especially the Tesla Coil exhibit.  Back late 1800s and early 1900s, Tesla and Edison contended for the most practical form of electricity for society to use.  Tesla argued for alternating currents, while Edison fought for direct currents with Edison eventually prevailing.  However, Tesla’s discoveries have recently been revived because of its untapped potential.  In short, he discovered a way to light up a lightbulb using electromagnetic force from a mile away.  One can only imagine what kind of technology could result if scientists are able to tap into the depths of his invention. 

Works Cited:
"Exhibits: Hall of the Eye." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 July 2014.
"Griffith Observatory." Travellingflip. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2014.
"Exterior Exhibits." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2014.
"Tesla Coil." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 July 2014. Web. 01 Aug. 2014.
"8 Space Pt1 1280x720." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 01 Aug. 2014.