Griffith Thought the Skies Were Heavenly

I was delighted to discover the appropriately high profile of Comet Hale-Bopp accorded by The Times in the article, “Discovering the Comet That Lives in All of Us,” by Rip Rense (March 9).

I am also pleased that Rense detailed the way in which astronomical knowledge and discovery are made public by Griffith Observatory, but I am obligated to correct an error.

Griffith Observatory was not “named after a park named for a person who had no interest in astronomy.” Griffith Observatory is named for Col. Griffith J. Griffith, who gave the park that bears his name to the people of Los Angeles and who left a bequest in his will with very specific instructions about the public observatory he wanted built there.

Griffith was, in fact, well informed about science and personally motivated by astronomy. He was a visionary when it came to public parks and public science, and he deserves credit for being ahead of the curve in Southern California.

E.C. KRUPP, Director

Griffith Observatory

Los Angeles