Write Around the Block

Griffith Park Observatory

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to the Griffith Park Observatory you need to take Sunset Blvd and then make a right turn at Hillhurst Blvd. After you make that turn, you go all the way up that street until you are done with the loop d’ loop. Try to arrive early because it is difficult to find parking.

When I walked towards the entrance, it was like a journey I will never forget. It was like a journey because when I was up there, I saw the beautiful view of L.A. It was also like a journey because when I walked in, it was like I was traveling to the past.

WHAT TO SEE & DO

HOW TO MAKE A COMET

We did a lot of cool things but one of the coolest things we did was watch a show called How to Make a Comet.   It was amazing.  He showed us that you can even make one at home. You need water, sand, charcoal, (it is a black rock) dry ice, and ammonia. He put the water, sand, charcoal, and ammonia (windex)in a bag.  Next he added a lot of dry ice (at -109 degrees F). But don’t forget to mix it and also wear a glove.  DO NOT TOUCH WITH BARE HAND or you will get frost bite!  Then he molded it into a ball.  The scientist was funny and silly.  He told jokes about science and space.

CENTERED IN THE UNIVERSE SHOW

At the Griffith Park Observatory we saw the Centered in the Universe show. All the stars were beautiful and super amazing. It was shaped as a dome with chairs that lean back if you push on them. It was really comfy and some people almost fell asleep. You could also see galaxies and zodiac signs that made it really magical. We even learned cool facts like that the universe is expanding, but no one knows why. We also saw that there was ice on Mars, which meant that water was once there. We think that it could be a sign of life from many years ago, and could possibly be one now.

The price is 3$ for kids and 7$ for adults. There are still a gillian trillion space mysteries. Reminder when you first walk into the building take my advise and look up. If not you might regret it. Here is another tip DO NOT FALL ASLEEP. One main thing to remember: The air conditioner is on full blast so bring a jacket! That A.C. was cranking so high.

Galileo Exhibit

Galileo made the first telescope in 1906. With that telescope, he discovered that Venus had phases and that Jupiter had four moons orbiting it. He also proved that Copernicus’s theory of the sun being the center of all planets was true. With that proof, he changed most peoples thinking about the solar system. This year it is the 400th birthday of the telescope Galileo invented. The offical date is August 25.

EAT & DRINK

We got to eat at the cafe at the center of the universe. I ate a sandwich, Doritos and lemonade. I would recommend the food at the cafe. My server was mean making my sandwich, but maybe yours will be nice. You could also get other kinds of food, like salad or yogurt with fruit inside. It all looked tasty.