Blog #3 Mount Wilson History

Sammy Keane
History of Mount Wilson
“Mount Wilson Observatory was founded in 1904 by George Ellery Hale, a pioneer in the field of
astrophysics who studied chemical and physical processes in stars” (Space.com). The Mount Wilson
Observatory is on top of Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains, overlooking Los Angeles.
This incredible Observatory was where “Edwin Hubble used a telescope mirror over eight feet wide
to made two discoveries that fundamentally changed our definition of the universe. First, he realized
that some faint, fuzzy objects that perplexed astronomers for decades were in fact galaxies outside
our own Milky Way. Then Hubble recognized that many of these galaxies were speeding away from
us, indicating that the universe is expanding” (Atlas Obscura). This discovery profoundly changed
how not only astronomers but everyone began to look at our world and universe. 
Mount Wilson’s rich history also includes that of Albert Michelson. At mount Wilson, Michelson
took part in an experiment trying to accurately measure the speed of light. Michelson continued to
work and adjust these measurements at Mount Wilson as he was trying to perfect his calculation.
He did this by using a method of “measuring the speed of light, directly, by finding out how long
it took to move a measured distance” (Saburchill). After years of trial and error, in 1924 at Mount
Wilson,  he came to the conclusion that “the speed of light is 299,796 +_ 4 km/s” (Space.com). As
one can now find the exact calculations as to how he finalized on this measurement online, it is
important to know that measuring the distance moved by light takes a serious level of precision, it is
not all about math. 
Prior to doing research or learning about this is Lia Halloran's Art and Science class, I would
have never thought that Mount Wilson is where Hubble or Michelson’s magical discoveries were
made. I was aware of these notable discoveries but I was unaware of where they had taken place.
When I was in high school I remember learning about Galaxies and the speed of light and being so
consumingly fascinated. Thinking about how much is beyond Earth, still gives me the chills. The
action of looking through the telescope at Mount Wilson will be nothing short of breathtaking and it
is such an honor to be able to go there, especially since it is still a functioning observatory. 


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