Event Archives
Since reopening in 2006 after the renovation and expansion project, the Observatory has hosted hundreds of public events and activities. Whether for eclipses, notable spacecraft anniversaries, or special speakers, the events offered the chance for the public to experience, learn, or be inspired. Sometimes all at the same time!
All past events, as well as upcoming events, can be viewed on our Calendar.
Notable Observatory Events
First American in Orbit: John Glenn and the Flight of Friendship 7
On Sunday, February 19, 2012, Griffith Observatory hosted two free public lectures marking the 50th anniversary of the historic flight of Friendship 7, on which John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth.
Griffith Observatory Hosts Pre-dawn Lunar Eclipse Viewing Event
On December 10, 2011, from 4:30 to 6:30 a.m. Griffith Observatory gave visitors a chance to view the lunar eclipse through telescopes
Apollo 15: Exploration at its Greatest
Celebrating 40th Anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 15 Mission
Observatory Hosts Special Lecture On Liberty Bell 7 Flight
Griffith Observatory hosted a public lecture commemorating the 50th anniversary of Gus Grissom's flight.
Celebrating Alan Shepard: 50 Years of American Space Travel
On Thursday, May 5, 2011, the Observatory marked the 50th anniversary of Alan Shepard's historic flight with a special public lecture.
Preview of Space Shuttle Endeavour’s Last Mission
On April 19, 2011, the Observatory hosted a special public lecture to explain why shuttle launches sometimes get delayed and to preview the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Observatory Hosts Yuri’s Night Lecture
Griffith Observatory hosted a special public lecture on April 12, 2011, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first person in space.
One Small Step: The 40th Anniversary of Apollo 14
Griffith Observatory continues its celebration of NASA’s Apollo missions to the Moon with events marking the 40th anniversary of the flight of Apollo 14 and the 50th anniversary of the flight of Ham the Chimp, the first hominid in space.
Catch That Comet! Chasing Comet Hartley!
Join speakers Malcolm Hartley and Tim Larsen for an evening of discussion about the excitement of comet hunting, the mysteries of the solar system's oldest denizens, and the upcoming flyby of Comet Hartley.