Although this one-hour episode of Visiting originally aired in August 2006, I do feel like it’s fitting, as we say hello to a brand new year, to take a long look at the the stars that surround us, to consider our place in the universe, and to ponder where we have been and where we are going. Another more personal reason is that seeing this Southern California observatory brought forth a wonderful childhood Christmas memory of going with my family to the Morrison Planetarium in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to experience the seasonal “Star of Bethlehem” presentation, billed as “Astronomical theories that attempt to explain the most famous star of all. A re-creation of the sky that looked down on the Birth of Christ” (quoted from the 1954 California Academy of Sciences Schedule Brochure). Now that I’m an adult, I think I would have a much better appreciation of everything the Griffith Observatory has to offer, including the view through its big telescope; and I especially love that admission to this beautiful landmark remains free to the public.

Huell takes a special look at the restoration of The Griffith Observatory. Built in 1935 and serving space curious Angelenos and the greater scientific community for almost 70 years, the Observatory required significant remodeling and expansion when it was closed for renovations in 2002. With the restoration completed this fall, this scientifically vital and historically significant architectural landmark re-emerges to serve well into the 21st Century. In this special one-hour episode Huell takes an insider’s tour with Griffith Observatory director Dr. Edward Krupp to see the state-of-the-art planetarium theater, new presentation theater and two brand-new exhibit areas. Join Huell as he takes an exclusive look at one of Los Angeles’s treasures before it was officially opened to the public on November 3rd, 2006.

(Click on the linked image below to see the video.)