Matinees on the Mountain: Envisioning the Skies: a Short History of Astronomical Films (with LA Filmforum)

New this Season! On select Saturday afternoons this season, enjoy classic sci-fi, vintage silent films, and even a few family-friendly surprises in our 256-seat auditorium. Moviegoers can enjoy lunch at the Cosmic Cafe or picnic on the grounds, explore the Observatory’s rich history, and then settle in for a unique cinematic experience above the city! Movie snacks & drinks will be available for purchase.

Please arrive early to allow time to purchase a required Forest Adventure Pass at the Cosmic Cafe—ideally before 2:30 PM. You can also purchase one in advance online or at an authorized vendor.

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This showcase explores how astronomy and image‑making have shaped one another from the 19th century to the present-day. Beginning with Jules Janssen’s 1874 Passage of Venus—photographs he called “drawn by the sun itself”—the program traces how telescopes, cameras, and later computers turned observations into scientific data and cinematic art. From Bernard Lyot’s solar footage to Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, these films reveal how techniques from sequential photography to digital simulation have transformed how we see, teach, and imagine the universe. Curated by Jane de Almeida, Adam Hyman, Jheanelle Brown.