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Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Los Angeles Times
When it comes to watching shooting stars, California is your best bet, oddsmakers say
When it comes to exploring the wonders of the night sky, sports betting touts are hardly considered astronomical authorities. Perhaps that's why a recent ranking by the betting website Action Network has some local astronomers scratching their heads over a decision to name California the best state in the nation to stargaze. By the website's calculation, California topped the list of states, with Colorado, Oregon, Utah and New Mexico following closely behind. 'The Action Network has analyzed sky visibility, elevation, historical meteor activity, and astronomical infrastructure to compile a ranked list of the best states for witnessing celestial events,' the website announced. Although professional astronomers acknowledge that California is an ideal location for star parties, they said the list has its flaws. 'The ranking of those places doesn't necessarily make any sense at all and is probably based on a variety of assumptions, maybe some judgment involved about which of those states have more dark sky territory and accessibility,' said Ed Krupp, director of the Griffith Observatory. Experts also took issue with the ranking's focus on the states with the highest chances of spotting an asteroid, since you can't actually see an asteroid with the naked eye from anywhere. An asteroid is a small rocky object that can be so dim and faint you would need a telescope and know how to operate it to locate the object, said Bob Stephens, an amateur astronomer with the Riverside Astronomical Society. 'Some asteroids could be seen telescopically, even in the Los Angeles area, if you have an instrument that is large enough to do it,' Krupp said. Despite doubts about the website's methodology for picking the best stargazing state, California experts do agree there are plenty of areas within the state that allow people to enjoy a variety of cosmic events. The Golden State — along with the others — has large areas of wilderness that are far enough away from city light pollution to view certain cosmic events. But getting away from city lights isn't always a solution. Krupp said the observatory was inundated with questions about how to view the Perseid meteor shower, which peaked overnight and early Wednesday. Unfortunately, a nearly full moon for Southern California spectators made it very difficult to see shooting stars. Even so, the general guidance Krupp shared is to 'get out of town' and go somewhere high that's clear of light pollution. There are five internationally recognized Dark Sky Places in California, all in the southern part of the state, according to Dark Sky International, an organization that works to combat light pollution. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park have been designated Dark Sky Parks, possessing 'exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment,' according to the organization. Julian and Borrego Springs are considered Dark Sky Communities, which were designated as such after showing 'exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky through the implementation and enforcement of a quality outdoor lighting ordinance, dark sky education and citizen support.' Getting the best view depends on what you want to see. If you're interested in meteors, you want to have a darker, less polluted location so that you can enjoy them more, Stephens said. If you're interested in seeing galaxies and clusters, it does benefit you to go to Dark Sky areas; you don't absolutely have to, but they'll be more spectacular in those designated areas. 'There's inexpensive robotic telescopes that can be operated from anywhere that can show you a lot, but I hesitate to tell people to start there because you spend $500 and then you lose the interest and it sits in a closet,' Stephens said. Enjoying cosmic events can be as easy as heading to your local observatory. You can observe double stars and clusters at star parties up on the lawn at the Griffith Observatory, he said. There are plenty of astronomical societies across California that are hosting star parties or outreach events. 'Every month our local club goes down to the local shopping center under the parking lot lights to show people the moon, planets and some of the brighter clusters,' Stephens said. 'Ultimately astronomy is a social event, so it's best done with other people.'
Los Angeles Times
07-08-2025
- Science
- Los Angeles Times
How to view the Perseids and other meteor showers near L.A.
My wife and I sat in camp chairs looking up alongside dozens of other curious stargazers. Suddenly, shouts of awe and joy rang out. We'd all spotted a meteor streaking across the sky at the same time. We'd driven from Los Angeles to the parking lot of the Mt. Pinos Nordic Base, which I'd been told was the closest darkest place to L.A., and were thrilled to find several amateur astronomers and their telescopes dotting the parking lot. We were all lucky that night to catch glimpses of a handful of shooting stars. But you, dear Wilder, have the opportunity to witness far more in the Perseid meteor shower, which peaks Tuesday night into early Wednesday, between midnight and dawn. And even if you can't make it out to see this meteor shower, I've outlined below how to observe others later in the year. Before we boldly go into where you can see the Perseids near Los Angeles, I wanted to share what I've learned about meteor showers, which I hope deepens your appreciation for them as it did mine. When you're gazing upward to view a meteor shower, you're observing space debris, including just 'little tiny almost grains of sand'-sized objects, burn up as they slam into Earth's atmosphere at a speed of tens of thousands of miles per hour, said Vanessa Alarcon, astronomical observer at the Griffith Observatory. In the case of the Perseid meteor shower, you're watching debris left behind by the comet Swift-Tuttle as it neared perihelion, its closest approach to the sun. Comets are 'cosmic snowballs.' When one gets closer to the sun, Alarcon told me, ice and rock start vaporizing off the comet, leaving a debris field behind. Earth is orbiting through that debris field, as it does every August. The Perseid meteor shower is named as such because as you're watching, it appears as if the meteors are emanating from a point in the constellation of Perseus called the 'radiant point,' Alarcon said. Scientists have found that it takes Swift-Tuttle 133 years to orbit the sun once. I assumed that the current Perseids meteor shower was from debris left over the last time Swift-Tuttle swung by — and could be seen from Earth with the naked eye — in 1992. I was wrong and delighted over what I learned. 'In general, I would say the particles in the Perseids are at least many hundreds of years old, if not thousands of years old,' Paul Chodas, director of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, told me. As you're watching debris slam into the Earth, consider that a long time ago, someone else was looking up at the sky, watching Swift-Tuttle leave that space dust behind. Humans have been observing Swift-Tuttle since at least 69 BC, when Chinese records noted a 'guest-star' moving in the southerly direction across the sky. The comet will swoosh across our sky and be visible to the naked eye in 2126. Perhaps a baby born today will get to be a happy 101-year-old looking up at the sky, watching Swift-Tuttle leave behind space dust for a meteor shower even further into the future. First, let's set expectations. This year, the moon will be at 84% full when the Perseids peaks next week, which will make it challenging to see many of its shooting stars. Alarcon told me, though, that studious sky watchers will still spot meteors. And I personally think seeing even a few is still pretty cool. (Alarcon told me she's spotted meteors even at Griffith Observatory, right in the heart of L.A.!) Times contributor Matt Pawlik compiled this great list of suggested locations where you can spot the Perseids. I'll add a few spots to that list. But first, here's how I found them. I used a light pollution map to determine where the darkest places near L.A. might be. I knew I'd probably be mostly looking in Angeles National Forest. I knew I wanted to find spots at higher elevations to get above the light dome of L.A., along with any marine layers and smog. Lastly, I wanted to find spots with clear views of the northern and northeastern sky because, per Stellarium, I could see that the Perseus constellation would rise from that direction. Some spots near L.A. to consider: If you are lucky enough to spot the Perseids, you can help contribute to science by reporting it to the International Meteor Organization. About 4.3 million meteors have been reported to its Visual Meteor Database. Just over 8,000 meteors have been spotted this year by 62 observers. You could add to the list. Also, if you do go out hiking at night, please bring friends or family and pack accordingly. Also, make sure someone outside your hiking party knows where you're going and when to expect you back. Other meteor showers this year include: I asked Alarcon, whose job it is to ensure Griffith Observatory's telescopes remain in tip-top shape, what it is about meteor showers that continues to take hold of the human psyche and delight us so much. 'Part of it, I feel like, as an L.A. native, is that it's because we're always deprived of [night sky], so it's nice to go out and try to recognize things our ancestors across the world ... had a fascination with,' she said. 'It's getting back to human roots.' 1. Bike and learn about oil fields in Inglewood The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter will host a guided bike and bus tour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday starting in Culver City. Participants will learn about the environmental challenges created by the Inglewood oil fields and about conservation efforts in the Ballona Wetlands. Attendees who bike will take the Park to Playa Trail 5.6 miles each way, while bus riders will take a chartered bus to various locations for walking tours. Register at 2. Hike under the full moon in Long BeachThe Los Angeles Hiking Group will host a four-mile full moon walk at 6 p.m. Friday around Naples Island in Long Beach. The group will meet at the Crab Pot (215 N. Marina Drive). Participants have the option to meet up for dinner, drinks and dancing at a nearby restaurant after the hike. Register at 3. Fly a kite in Gratitude Group's Adam Weiss will co-host a nature walk and kite-making event with Adventure Squad from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at Griffith Park. The group will nosh on coffee and doughnuts before heading to a forested area of the park to make kites. They will fly the kites at a vista lookout point. A minimum donation of $10 is requested. Register at Let's all take a moment to appreciate the below-average temperatures we experienced in July because that's ending soon. Times staff writer Hannah Fry reports that downtown L.A. could reach the mid-90s by the middle of next week. Woodland Hills and Burbank, both near several great trails, could see triple-digit temperatures. 'We're not looking at temperatures like we've seen in some previous summers, where we've gotten to 120 degrees, but it's certainly looking like 5 to 10 degrees above normal,' said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. We'll count that as a small blessing, I guess! If you plan to go hiking, please go early, choose shady hikes or consider an evening trek with a friend. Or just go jump in the lake. Happy adventuring, L.A. County Parks and Recreation recently posted a teaser for its annual 'Pooches in the Pool,' when it allows dogs to swim in county pools before they're drained for the season. The event is usually sometime around Labor Day. I asked the parks department for further details, but they're not ready to spill. 'Before a doggy can get soggy with it, we are still finalizing swim dates for our canine chums,' the department's communications team wrote to me. 'We won't keep you treading water for too long.' The response at least made me snort with laughter. I will keep you posted. For more insider tips on Southern California's beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
Boston Globe
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Boston isn't known for art deco. But to find it, ‘you just have to look up.'
Write to us at . To subscribe, . TODAY'S STARTING POINT When you think of art deco, the iconic architectural style that favors intricate geometry, bold colors, and stylized depictions of humans mastering modernity, you probably don't think of Boston. The Chrysler and Empire State buildings in New York, seaside hotels in Miami Beach, and even the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles seem to have cornered the market in the popular imagination. The centennial of art deco — it burst onto the scene at a 1925 Paris exhibition — got me wondering why that is. So I did what any recently arrived Bostonian should: I took a tour. And as I learned, there's plenty of art deco in the city to enjoy, provided you know where to look. Around town Advertisement As Coppeto and Evans explained, the McCormack building (pictured above) has several hallmarks of the style. Its vertically arranged stone, metal, and glass draw the eye upward, making it look taller. Symbolic carvings of stylized eagles and the twin-snaked staff of the Greek god Hermes communicate its original purpose as a federal post office. Like castle battlements, its three towers hit the skyline at different heights. Advertisement The McCormack building also suggests one reason Boston art deco may be underrated. Construction began in 1931, less than a decade after growing demand for downtown office space forced the city to change zoning rules that had capped building heights at 125 feet. 'New York had skyscrapers galore,' said Evans, and was bigger and richer. 'Boston didn't.' 'Architecture's always speaking' But in a timely coincidence, Boston's zoning changes launched a building scramble just as deco became ascendant. Its style celebrated humanity's technical prowess and mastery of the natural world. As Coppeto and Evans led me around, we saw buildings that featured organic-looking doorway arches, balustrades designed to mimic swoopy vines, and wave-like chevron patterns. Art deco also tells a story. Years ago, when Amy Finstein worked at a downtown architecture firm, she'd walk over on her lunch break to admire the State Street Trust Building, constructed in 1929. A series of second-story bronze relief panels on the facade depict a comic strip of technological progress: humans harnessing horses, tilling fields, building airplanes, even designing the building itself. 'Iconography plays a much bigger role in art deco,' said Finstein, who now It sometimes speaks with a regional accent. The earthy brick exterior of Look up Art deco may be the most widely recognized architectural style. 'It's nothing that is so precious that only architects use this terminology,' Evans said. Advertisement Finstein thinks that's because art deco came out of an optimistic age that reveled in the opulence and possibilities of technology, from giant skyscrapers to intricately machined doorknobs. 'There are all these objects that reinforce the design vocabulary of the art deco moment in a way that is really visible and palpable for people,' she said. The Great Depression and World War II changed that, helping to send art deco out of vogue. The ziggurat-shaped Once you start looking, you'll see art deco throughout Boston. There's the Coppeto and Evans have been giving tours for decades. Their clientele includes the expected tourists and architecture enthusiasts, but also residents like me who just haven't paid enough attention. As we walked, I realized we were traversing some of the same streets I use to get to the Globe's offices. I'd noticed the facades — bronze is hard to miss — but, whether out of laziness or haste, not the stories they were telling. 'On this specific tour I get people who've been through, they work in the area. They never looked up,' Coppeto said. 'You just have to look up, see what's up there once in a while.' Advertisement 🧩 3 Down: 78° POINTS OF INTEREST A fan showed his appreciation for Anthony's contract extension yesterday. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Roman Anthony: The Red Sox rookie outfielder agreed to Changing the system: Proposed measures for the November 2026 Massachusetts ballot would create open primaries, increase transparency, and Speaking of: The state's real estate groups are preparing to fight a proposed ballot initiative that would legalize rent control, something the powerful industry Kate Merrill: The former WBZ anchor who left the station last year sued, accusing WBZ of 'You should see the other guy': Patriots and Washington Commanders players started fighting during a joint practice. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel Dead air: Boston police chatter will Show of support: Senator Elizabeth Warren Trump vs. Mass.: He claims Massachusetts Democrats gerrymandered the state's congressional districts to disadvantage Republicans. It's not really true, Advertisement Russia-Ukraine war: Trump may meet with Vladimir Putin as soon as next week to try to end the war. Trump also threatened higher tariffs on India if it keeps buying Russian oil. ( Extra! Extra! The onslaught of Trump-related news BESIDE THE POINT By Teresa Hanafin 🚘 Best rest stops in NE: 'Rest stop poutine' may sound like a French-Canadian laxative, but it's actually a delicious offering at a New Hampshire pit stop. Travel writer Christopher Muther lists 🛜 WFH? SMH: Remote work is popular — but not among Gen Zers. Turns out workers 35 and younger 🎵 Camp Creativity: There's a 📚 Camp Past: If music isn't your thing, consider 🏃🏻♀️➡️ Swipe-free summer: Dating in 2025 could mean 👟 Air Deltas: Nike and Delta collaborated on a new sneaker for the airline's 100th anniversary, featuring a red Delta icon on the heel. Sorry; only airline employees can buy them. ( 🛑 Miss Conduct Classic: How can a host put a stop to Advertisement Thanks for reading Starting Point. This newsletter was edited by ❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at ✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can 📬 Delivered Monday through Friday. Ian Prasad Philbrick can be reached at
Los Angeles Times
24-07-2025
- Climate
- Los Angeles Times
How to find the shadiest hikes around L.A.
My plan for today's Wild was to write about three shady hikes near L.A. where you could escape the summer heat. But last week, as I was busily researching via mapping technology about slope angles, sun exposure and the elevation of various canyon walls near L.A., an editor, observing my fury, suggested I zoom out and teach Wilders how to find their own shady hikes. This week, you get to peek behind the curtain and learn about some of the tools I use to find the best hikes around L.A. My goal in writing this is to empower you to find hikes near you that you didn't realize provided good shade at various times of the day. Lists of hikes are great, as they introduce you to new adventures. But sometimes reaching those hikes involves a long drive when, in actuality, there's a great trail waiting for you basically in your backyard. To find a shady hike, you need to consider a few factors: ☀️ Time of day (and year)📈 The day's forecast ⛰️ Local topography🌳 Tree cover Before we dive in, I want to note: Sometimes it really is too hot to hike. Please use your best judgment when heading out and, as the temperature creeps up, remember to drink more water than usual. OK, let's find our next adventure! Let's say we'd like to find the best time and place to hike at Griffith Park this Saturday without getting up before 7 a.m. or burning our faces off from the sun. (Kudos to the the 5 a.m. Crew. Your faces are always safe from the burn.) This Saturday, the sun in L.A. will rise at 6 a.m., according to data compiled by the Griffith Park Observatory. But where will the sun rise, and how does that help us discern where the shade will be in the morning? (Yes, the sun always rises in the east, but we're about to get way more specific!) To figure that out, I'd like you to grab your cell phone and open your phone's compass app. With the app still open, set your phone on a flat surface parallel to the ground. Your compass app should have a number next to the direction it is facing. For example, my iPhone's compass app is showing 59 degrees northeast right now. This number is your compass bearing, which is a precise way to describe a direction. Now, slowly rotate your phone until it reads 66 degrees northeast. That, my friends, is the exact direction the sun will rise this weekend, according to Griffith Observatory's website. Why does this bearing point matter? Because the direction the sun rises from will help you discern where the shade will be. Back to our example. We want to hike Saturday morning in Griffith Park. Since the sun rises northeast of the park this time of year, that means that the earliest rays will shine onto the northeast-facing slopes. This includes trails near the Merry-Go-Round, including the Old Zoo Loop, and the Mineral Wells and Bill Eckert trails, along with the area near Amir's Garden, where the sun will be shining by 6:30 a.m. (Again, this doesn't mean trees won't provide you with shade.) Meanwhile, hikes along southern and southwestern-facing slopes are more likely to be shady, including Fern Dell and trails near the bird sanctuary where a nearby west-facing slope blocks the morning sun. For a visual, take a look at this map I made focused on sun exposure in Griffith Park at 8 a.m. with bearing lines pointing to the directions of the sunrise and sunset. You'll see much of the map covered in yellow, which represents sun exposure, while purple patches remain on the south and southwestern sides of slopes where there will be shade at 8 a.m. By 9 a.m., those patches start to shrink, although the map is only taking into consideration the angles of the slopes and not whether these paths have tree cover. OK, we've learned about the direction of the sunrise and a bit about local topography. Let's dive a little deeper. Let's plan a hike to Angeles National Forest, somewhere that starts above 5,000 feet elevation. Why? Because this cooler-than-average July will not last forever (sad), and we'll need to escape to higher elevation soon. Let's say it's going to be a hot day in L.A., and you'd like to hike in the San Gabriel Mountains in a hopefully less hot area. (Also, for the purpose of our example, there's no strong inversion layer, which can create a scenario where it's hotter in the mountains than it is in L.A.) The plan is to arrive by 8 a.m. to the trailhead. Where can we find a shady reprieve along with hopefully a lower temperature? First, it will depend on how high we go. 'In general, for every 1,000 feet you ascend, the temperature drops approximately 3.5 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. This predictable temperature decrease is known as the lapse rate,' as this HowStuffWorks article points out. The amount the temperature drops, though, will vary depending on the weather, humidity and time of day. I usually start to notice a temperature drop in Angeles National Forest once I travel beyond 5,000 feet. For example, I've found on a hot day the parking area at Mt. Wilson might be 10 to 15 degrees cooler than L.A. The Buckhorn Campground, which sits at about 6,500 feet elevation, and the nearby Burkhart Trail are my other go-tos on hot days. You can find the elevation of the hike you're considering by using Google Maps' terrain function or by finding your hike on CalTopo, right clicking and choosing the 'point information' option. But how do we find a shady spot at a higher elevation in Angeles National Forest? For one, we need to consider the direction that a slope faces. I must admit: Figuring out the direction a slope faces broke my brain. I am a bit directionally challenged (a great attribute for an outdoors journalist!). That's to say if this feels confusing or a bit heady, I understand. The simplest way to understand the direction a slope faces, or its aspect, and thus how much sun it will get is this: A slope's direction is the cardinal direction in which it slopes downward. For our purposes, we're looking for north-facing slopes because those get less direct sunlight. Why? Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is always to our south, never directly overhead, as it travels across the sky. (Thank you to Mt. Wilson telescope operator and volunteer Nicholas Arkimovich for explaining this and more to me.) North-facing slopes with trails through them include the Mt. Waterman hike and Mt. Baden-Powell via Vincent Gap. I've also found nice shade on the Rim Trail at Mt. Wilson, a path that descends a north-facing slope to Newcomb Pass. 🌲Tree cover 🌳 Lastly, as mentioned, tree cover plays a huge role in temperature, given we have a dry heat here in Southern California. The type of tree cover you'll find will vary widely among the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains, as these ranges feature robust and different plant communities depending, in part, on elevation and a slope's direction (and thus sun exposure). I could probably write a series of Wilds about this topic (maybe an entire book). In short: Oak woodlands, areas around rivers and higher elevations with tall pine trees will provide you with great shade. I know this was a lot of information, but I hope today's Wild will be something you can repeatedly come back to when planning your summer hikes. If you'd like a little homework, take a look at the map and look for canyons near you. Do they run north-south or east-west? Is one canyon's wall taller than the other? How does that affect how much shade the canyon floor will get? And is there a trail leading through the canyon, waiting for you to explore it? Let me know how it goes! I love hearing from you. 1. Bend the curve for birds in TorranceKeith Haney, a biologist and California naturalist, will present 'Bending the Curve with Audubon' at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center in Torrance. Haney will explain how the Audubon Society is addressing the downward trend in bird populations and how residents can help locally. Register at 2. Meander past murals in East for Mobility Justice will host an art-focused bike ride at 9 a.m. Saturday through East L.A. and Boyle Heights. Riders will start at Mariachi Plaza and ride together to murals in the area. Beginner riders are welcome. Participants should bring a working bike or wheeled device, a helmet, front and back bike lights, reflective clothing and a water bottle. Register at 3. Marvel at moths in ValyermoIn celebration of National Moth Week, the Invertebrate Club of Southern California will host a black lighting event from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area in Valyermo. The group will set up black lights to observe moths and hike a short distance into the valley to observe scorpions and other invertebrates. Register to learn more. Jomarie Calasanz was visiting Sequoia National Park when, seemingly in a flash, she was swept away by the Kaweah River. Her family longed for news — that at the very least, her body could be recovered. But rescuers found the water too treacherous to keep searching. 'On the family's last morning at the hotel, a waitress who had kept her distance out of respect approached (Jomarie's) grieving mother and gave her a hug and a tip: There's a local legend, a man not affiliated with official emergency service agencies, who finds people,' Times staff writer Jack Dolan wrote. That man is Juan Heredia, a 53-year-old scuba instructor from Stockton. Over the past year, Heredia has found the bodies of a dozen drowning victims after authorities had either temporarily or fully stopped searching. Heredia has gained a significant following online and has been getting calls from across the world from families pleading for his help. 'I think when they call and tell me they have a loved one who has drowned, it opens up a wound in me, too. And then I need closure,' Heredia said. 'I can't stop thinking about them alone in that dark water.' Stay safe out there, friends. Happy adventuring, As I was researching this week's Wild, I called the Mt. Wilson Observatory, as it has a long history of studying the sun (and I had a lot of questions about how the sun moves about). I was greeted by an automated voice prompt: Press 1 for information about visiting the observatory, press 2 to leave a message for the office and 'if you'd like to hear an excerpt from the poem 'The Observatory' by Alfred Noyes about first light on the 100-inch telescope, press 3.' I pressed 3 and listened for about four minutes to a dramatic reading of a beautiful moment in L.A. space history. 'The observatory loomed against the sky; / And the dark mountain with its headlong gulfs, / Had lost all memory of the world below,' a line that reminded me of all the times I've escaped to Mt. Wilson on a hot summer day. I politely request more places offer poetry as an option to callers. For more insider tips on Southern California's beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The dark past of one of Los Angeles' most iconic tourist attractions - and why people still think it's cursed
Even if you've never been to Griffith Park, in Los Angeles, you'll definitely have seen it on TV. One of Los Angeles ' leading attractions, the public park, in California's Santa Monica Mountains, is where the iconic Hollywood sign is located, as well as the Los Angeles Zoo, and Griffith Observatory, celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.
