California Science Centre – From the Sea to the Skies

The California Science Centre is a great place to visit when in Los Angeles and admission is free (except for special exhibitions). You can see exhibits on scientific achievements from inventions to air and space technology); discover the world of life and how people, animals and plants survive; then delve into the ecosystems of the world. The latter is an absolute highlight as there is a large aquarium tanks teeming with sea life which make for an impressive sight. If your timing is right you can see scuba divers feeding the various fish right in front of you.

California Science Museum Aquarium Fish — Sea life!

Skin Diver fish feeding California Science Museum Los Angeles — Heres looking at you

Fish feeding aquarium California Science Museum Los Angeles — A great display

fish California Science Museum Los Angeles — One hungry fish

spotted shark California Science Museum Los Angeles Aquarium — Shark spotting…..literally!

Fish feeding skin diver California Science Museum Los Angeles Aquarium Tank — Its a feeding frenzy!

fish feeding California Science Museum Los Angeles — This was a lot of fun to watch

Moray Eel California Science Museum Los Angeles — Moray Eel

Desert Tortoise California Science Museum Los Angeles — Desert Tortoise

Common Chuckwalla California Science Museum Los Angeles — Common Chuckwalla

The air and space exhibits hold some true treasures for the aviation buff including an unusual two-seat training version of the Lockheed A-12 Blackbird spy plane once used by the C.I.A. along with rocket capsules and space suits from the NASA space program. To see more on the aviation exhibits please take a look at my “Aces Flying High” blog.

Lockheed A-12 Blackbird trainer California Science Museum Los Angeles — Lockheed A-12 Blackbird trainer

Mercury-Redstone 2 capsule (1961) California Science Museum — Mercury-Redstone 2 capsule (1961)

Apollo 16 command module spacesuit thomas k mattingly 1972 California Science Museum — Apollo 16 command module pilot spacesuit of Astronaut Thomas L. Mattingly (1972 – fifth manned landing on the Moon)

Since my visit in September 2012 they now have the Space Shuttle Endeavour on display too (Orbiter Vehicle 105). Endeavour was delivered by NASA on September 21st on the back of a special Boeing 747 shuttle transporter. The shuttle completed 25 space missions for NASA, including delivering the first US component of the International Space Station. I unfortunately had to leave Los Angeles on the 17th and missed all the action! I will have to return to check her out someday.