The observatory at Mt. Wilson provides inspiration for makers of the great telescopes of the next century.

The 60-inch telescope resides in a smaller dome on Mt. Wilson. It preceded the 100-inch Hooker telescope, and can still be reserved for special events by the public.  (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )

Mt. Wilson sits high in the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena.  (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )

The familiar site of Mt. Wilson’s antennas can be seen around Los Angeles.  (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )

Edwin Hubble worked on the 100-inch telescope in the 1920s, and his discoveries revolutionized astronomy.  (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )

Astronomers used to sit in a small chair on an unprotected platform to look into the eyepiece of the 100-inch telescope.  (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )

UCLA still operates towering solar telescopes, seen here from the catwalk of the Hooker telescope’s dome.  (Julia Rosen / Los Angeles Times )