In 1908, a four-year-old observatory at the summit of Mt. Wilson boasted the largest and most powerful telescope of its kind in the world. It was quickly supplanted by another that could gather three times more light.
In 1923, staff astronomer Edwin Hubble pointed this 100-inch telescope toward a dim haze of light known as the Andromeda nebula. Setting its camera for a 45-minute exposure, he captured an image that would prove to be not a star in our galaxy, but a galaxy of its own.
Yet the spreading lights below the observatory would soon doom it. As the world of astronomy sought darker pastures, its sponsor Carnegie Science pulled its funding and closed the telescope in 1985.
But an agreement between Carnegie and the US Forest Service required the facility remain an active scientific or educational site, or be dismantled. Within eight months, a group of supporters joined to incorporate the Mt. Wilson Institute. Four years later, management of the observatory was transferred to this body. Sam Hale, grandson of founder George Ellery Hale, is its chairman and CEO.
Today, this site of significant scientific and Los Angeles history, home to some of the most important telescopes in the development of modern astronomy, is little known to the general public. With only five paid employees and a shoestring budget, the facility and its programs are run by a highly skilled group of volunteers.
Recently, the Institute turned to Jericho Road Pasadena for someone who could share expertise in attracting scientific grants. JRP had the ideal connection: Luther Beegle, whose 25-year career at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory included leading the team that designed and developed the SHERLOC scanning instrument now operating on the Perseverance Rover on Mars.
Luther is a longtime JRP fan. ” I am always happy when JRP calls me to help out an organization in need,” he says. “They make such a difference for worthy organizations that it’s a pleasure to work with them.” This latest assignment was no exception, starting with a tour of the Mt. Wilson facility he calls “the highlight of my year.”
Katie Steinke, Institute board member and Executive Director for Development and Outreach, says the experience was a key step in building the organization’s future. “Luther shared some highly useful information on scientific grant possibilities and procedures,” she says. “While we weren’t able to identify grantors to approach at this time, his expertise and assistance have been extremely helpful. The collaboration will continue.”
The Mt. Wilson Institute has called on Jericho Road Pasadena’s help in the past, and Katie is a fan. “Over the past few years we have been extremely lucky working with JRP and the great people they have connected with us,” she says. “Finding just the right person to fit into an already established organization can be difficult. JRP does this very, very well.”
Thanks to volunteer Linda Taubenreuther for writing JRP social media posts!