LOS ANGELES

The Landscape: Known primarily for the other kind of stars (celebrities), and for its blanket of smog, L.A. might not seem like an ideal place to constellation-gaze. But the presence of the iconic Griffith Observatory (www.griffithobs.org), perched high atop Mount Hollywood, makes it a worthwhile astronomical destination.

The Skyscape: Depending on the time of year, visible objects that can be seen from the observatory include Jupiter and Venus, assorted double stars, clusters, and nebulae. And with the facility’s powerful telescopes, you can get an incredibly detailed view of the moon and its craggy surface.

How to Experience It: Originally famous for its star turn in the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause, the observatory completed a $93 million renovation and expansion in 2006. Among the new offerings that visitors can take advantage of: shows in the reconstructed Samuel Oschin Planetarium, which uses the world’s most advanced star projector to present dazzling shows about the cosmos; evening telescope-viewing on the lawn; and monthly free “star parties” hosted by members of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society and Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers association.