Just got back from a trip to Griffith Observatory. My first visit since the renovation.

Very nice. The exhibits seem a little simple, but then they're geared towards people who know little to nothing about astronomy, not someone like me who's been an active amateur astronomer since childhood. But for what they are, they are very good.

I was pleased to see that some of my favorite items were only moved and not removed - the giant Earth and Moon globes, the seismographs, the old Zeiss Mark IV projector.

The new Zeiss Mark IX projector is astounding. I don't think there's a more realistic portrayal of the night sky other than the real thing. I looked for the subtlest of detail in the star projections and could find very little.

The planetarium programs are projected with dual laser digital projectors. The resolution exceeds IMAX. It's a good thing they keep the motions slow as it'd be easy to get sick looking at that screen. You are nearly completely immersed in the experience. The projection is a bit dim, but in a Q&A with the host afterward he admits they don't have it turned all the way up.

Unfortunately due to the cloudy weather neither the 12 inch Zeiss refractor telescope nor the 3 mirror coelostat (solar telescope) were open.

The exterior looks fabulous. It's as if they didn't touch a thing.

If you haven't been there since the renovation, it's worth the trip.

Now to unload the camera....

Brian