Event #3, Griffith Observatory 

Me and a Curator at the Help Desk

For my third event visit, I went to the Griffith Observatory and explored the fundamentals of the pendulum, the excitement of the Tesla Coil, and the beauty of the artwork.

Murals by Hugo Ballin

When first walking into the Observatory, I immediately noticed the artwork on the ceiling.  Across the entire domed sky of the entryway are murals painted by Hugo Ballin which depict different scientific discoveries and progressions relating to the universe.  From illustrations showing astronomy and time to navigation and electricity, the restoration of the advanced murals of Ballin are a majestic and overwhelming spectacle and helped make an amazing first impression as I entered the space.











Coming down from the center of the mural hangs a giant pendulum.  The "240-pound bronze ball," according to a curator at the Observatory, is carefully centered between magnets that cause it to swing back and forth.  The point of the exhibit is to illustrate how the Earth rotates.  As the ball swings back and forth, the ground very slowly moves under it.  Small pegs are placed on the ground, and the ball is shown to hit down one peg every interval of time as a form of proof of our world rotating.  The exhibit is very cool and is effective in teaching about the universe because it is able to physically show the change happening.

This topic relates to our study of space in Unit 9.  Many philosophers had ideas that seemed crazy about the universe, but no one believed their theories until they were proven.  The pendulum is a great example of proving a theory about the universe.

Tesla Coil

The Tesla Coil was originally invented by Nikola Tesla to show "electricity without wires" according to the Griffith Observatory.  When watching the electricity flow through the air, it appears random and sporadic where the bolts will hit next.  The electricity appeared to be a whitish purple color and looked like lightning striking the walls of the exhibit.










The Griffith Observatory is a fun place that everyone should visit and explore.

 Works Cited

"Foucault Pendulum." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015. <http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/centralrotunda_foucaultpendulum.html>. 

"Hugo Ballin Murals." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015. <http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/centralrotunda_hugoballinmurals.html>. 

"Tesla Coil." Griffith Observatory. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015. <http://www.griffithobservatory.org/exhibits/halloftheeye_teslacoil.html>.