06/14/2026
The Hale Telescope at the Mount Wilson Observatory in the San Gabriel Mountains at 5,700ft is recognized as the second-largest telescope made exclusively for the public with the 60" in diameter mirror.
This historic instrument was originally unveiled in 1908 as the world’s largest operational telescope. It was discovered by astrophysicist George Ellery Hale, who identified the site in the San Gabriel Mountains in 1903. The telescope has been used for groundbreaking discoveries, including Harlow Shapley’s finding that the Sun is not at the center of the Milky Way Galaxy.
This scope is the largest single primary mirror scope that sets the design standard for all to follow until the Keck Observatory almost a hundred years later (1993) that first began to use multiple smaller primary mirrors with active optics. This 60" is also the world's largest scope on an equatorial mount. It features a 4" focuser and eyepieces whereas standard consumer grade equivalents are typically 1.25" to 2"
Left, Tom Mason (invitor who called me, hosted and served as the Session Director, and center, John Fisanotti the telescope operator. Tom brought food and refreshments. His chicken was great and the phenomenal, famous brownies mentioned by the National Public Radio, KCRW and KQED are actually made by his wife.
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Stay tuned for more from Mt. Wilson!
