Our trip to the Griffith Observatory  in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 18th 2010, became an action packed event that was filled with astronomy fun and excitement  for us and hundreds of other visitors.

Not only were we there to celebrate the worldwide "OMN", Observe the Moon Night, with the Astronomers Without Boarders, and the  Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, but also to join in on a birthday party celebration in honor of John Dobson for his 95th Birthday!

Besides being the father of the Dobsonion Telescope, John is credited as being one of the pioneer founders of The Sidewalk Astronomers!  This famous group was started by John along with two young men he  helped to build telescopes.  

Building telescopes is what John is known for best and is something he has done for many years. Now, at 95 years of experience, he says he no longer makes telescopes but enjoys the images from telescopes that "other people have made".

He continues to be very active on the streets with his group and can be found doing what he likes most, sharing his insight and knowledge with everyone he meets.

The Sidewalk Astronomers are a public service amateur astronomy association who provide astronomy events for public viewing of the night sky. They take telescopes to the public, whether it be  on street corners, public parks, in front of bookstores, or wherever crowds of people gather. Most people  they meet say they have never looked through a telescope and don't get the chance to see the night sky any other way. Dark sky awareness and our connection to the universe is the motivation they share with the public and the outreach effort is aimed at helping and improving society.