Griffith Observatory
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Griffith Observatory is a public observatory with a planetarium and astronomy exhibits. Admission to the Observatory building and grounds is FREE.
Griffith Observatory is an icon of Los Angeles, a national leader in public astronomy, a beloved civic gathering place, and one of southern California's most popular attractions. The mission of Griffith Observatory is to inspire everyone to observe, ponder, and understand the sky. There is a nominal charge to see shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Griffith Observatory is owned and operated as
SURPRISE! A Sky Report Spotlight just dropped. Yesterday, at around 11:40 a.m., PDT, Venus disappeared behind the unilluminated side of the crescent Moon, and reappeared about an hour later on the illuminated side of the Moon. This was very difficult to see with your naked eye, but Griffith Observatory caught this moment for you!
To view the full Venus occultation of the Moon with expert commentary, visit our YouTube channel! Link in bio.
06/17/2026
Did you see Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent moon last night? It made for a lovely sight, but wonderful astronomical sights are not limited to nighttime. At 11:40 a.m. today, June 17, Venus will dip behind the crescent moon, although you will need binoculars or a telescope to observe this occultation.
Don't have a telescope or binoculars? You can count on Griffith Observatory to bring you the visuals tomorrow! Be sure to check our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube handles for the video.
Photos by
1. Patrick So, Theatre Programs Supervisor
2. Pixie Iwata, Secretary, P.
06/09/2026
Who else observed the Venus-Jupiter arrangement last night? Too far apart to be considered a close conjunction, the two planets were three moon-diameters apart (about 1.5 degrees). Mercury was also in the night sky, but it was nowhere near as bright as Venus and Jupiter, so it was tricky to see.
Missed the arrangement? Be sure to watch our monthly Sky Reports, so you may know what will be observable in the sky and when.
1. Patrick So, Theatre Programs Manager, Griffith Observatory
2. Patrick So, Theatre Programs Manager, Griffith Observatory
3. Pixie Iwata, Secretary, Anaheim
4. Palm Springs
Will you be ready to see Venus pass behind the moon?
Want to know what’s in the sky for the month of June? Astronomical Observer, Vanessa Alarcon and Theater Programs Manager, Patrick So have your monthly Sky Report from Griffith Observatory.
For the full Sky Report please visit our YouTube channel. Link in bio.
06/02/2026
Your June 2026 lunar calendar is here!
05/21/2026
It goes without saying that a full moon illuminating the night sky is visually stunning, but there's something about the crisp and delicate points in a crescent moon that demand equal awe.
Photo by Jarred Donkersley, Telescope Demonstrator,
Which moon phase do you prefer?
05/14/2026
If you’ve never visited the Observatory, now’s your chance—virtually! If you have, there’s now a new layer to explore.
Enhance your visit to Griffith Observatory with exclusive audio, video, and exhibition guides, and click the link in our bio.
05/14/2026
Griffith Observatory turns 91 today!
On May 14, 1935, the Observatory opened its doors for public astronomy. Each year millions of people visit the building whether by chance or on purpose and learn just a little more about the cosmos.
Have you been to Griffith Observatory?
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Category
Telephone
Address
2800 East Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA
90027
Opening Hours
| Tuesday | 12pm - 10pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm - 10pm |
| Thursday | 12pm - 10pm |
| Friday | 12pm - 10pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 10pm |
| Sunday | 10am - 10pm |