Astronomers build their observatories in the most remote places in the world, often high above the heat and lights of civilization, where the air is still and clear. Consequently, a tour of world observatories would bring you to some of the most beautiful vistas on Earth, from glittering European mountain peaks, to tropical paradises. Here are some of my favorite scavenged photos of observatory domes from around the world.
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| My hometown observatory, Griffith, looking down over the sprawl of Los Angeles. |
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| Sphinx Observatory perched high in the Alps. |
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| The dome of the 36-inch at Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton in California, framed by what look like Mariposa lilies. Taken by Laurie Hatch. |
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| Another photograph of Lick, the 120 inch dome, by the talented Laurie Hatch. |
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| Mauna Kea (White Mountain) Observatory, Hawaii, HI. Those are the two Kecks in the center, and I think the one on the left is Gemini. |
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| Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, Ireland. See the dome peeking up out of that castle tower? |
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| El Caracol, also known as "The Observatory," at Chichen Itza, Mexico. Thought to have been used by the Mayans to observe the cosmos. |
