Mt. Wilson Observatory - Night Adventure!

Attention all teenage sky watchers...

Join a small group of fellow students to observe the Universe through the famous 60-inch Telescope, which revolutionized astronomy and allowed astronomer Harlow Shapley to find our place in the Milky Way Galaxy. This is going to be a very memorable trip with friends!

This adventure has a few options from provided transportation to an overnight stay in the scientists monastery! 

Keep reading for details...

Date: September 13th-14th

Transportation Optional

Mount Wilson Observatory, one of the most historically important observatories in the world, sits above Pasadena, a hub for Astronomy. Their programs are led by astronomers from the world-renowned institutes of Carnegie Observatories, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, and the California Institute of Technology. Students learn, at any level, about the astrophysics that led Hubble to discover the expanding Universe.

Mount Wilson Observatory was founded in 1904 by George Ellery Hale. Often considered one of America’s greatest astronomers, Hale made lasting contributions to astrophysics as well as the overall growth of science and scientific institutions. During our STEM programs, students will benefit from the legacy of this science pioneer, using tools he developed for astrophysics. Students will get to know and recognize the basics of our vast universe using the very instruments that Hale, Hubble, and Shapley have used. The program also includes the contributions of historic female astronomers.

Students will be taught four main lessons, will visit all of the telescopes, and see the actual instruments used to make some of astronomy’s most important discoveries. Additionally, they have the opportunity to observe our Sun, learning about heat energy and radiation, and how solar energy reaches Earth mostly in the form of visible light.

Students will additionally have access to the 60-inch telescope in the evening for observing the night skies! Students will learn about a star’s elements, location, life-cyle, color, and brightness. After a late night of observations, students may end their adventure here, or they can stay overnight for an extra special experience. With your HFAC educators, students will sleep in the historical monestary where famous scientists have stayed while studying the universe!

In the morning after breakfast, we will continue any lessons and enjoy the natural environment on an easy educational hike atop Mt. Wilson with friends.

*Dinner, Breakfast, and snacks included

Ticketing Options 

Single-Day Astronomy 3pm until the end of night-viewing:  

$175 per student, $110 per adult 

(chaperone is not required for student participation, drop-off is okay)

Full overnight experience : 

$245 per student 

Group transportation from Glendora at 1:30pm and Pasadena at 2:00pm provided. 

Or, student may be dropped off and picked up at the observatory. 3pm on Friday to 11am on Saturday.

To maximize this experience and make space for as many students as possible, the overnight experience is for students and HFAC educators only.

More perks for joining this adventure!

**Students that attend this field trip are also welcome to book a student and an adult ticket to our private NASA JPL tour on September 27th.

**Students on this field trip will have priority registration to our guided Griffith Observatory educational day. Date will be announced soon.

**We recommend also booking the Joshua Tree Rock-Tober Astronomy and Caving trip in October for streamlined learning!

Notes:

~We will be calling each participant to answer any questions.

~This event is refundable up until August 25th with a 15% cancellation fee

~We are sorry, there are no refunds available after August 25th

~The full overnight adventure is a drop-off event with HFAC for ages 12+

~All educators are fingerprinted and have completed and cleared a FBI and DOJ background clearance.

~An "Everything You Need to Know" email will be sent out before the event with all of the details

Any questions?

Please text 626-485-0540

Email hfadventurecommunity@gmail.com