Halls Valley Astronomical Group

Visiting Lick Observatory



A bird's-eye view of Lick Observatory in Winter

Photo courtesy of Theresa Nance. Copyright © 1998 Theresa Nance.


Lick Observatory is located in the Coast Range of Central California, on the 4213-foot (1284-meter) summit of Mount Hamilton. The observatory is 55 miles (89 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco and 13 miles (21 kilometers) east of San Jose. The instruments at the observatory include the 36-inch refractor, the 120-inch Shane reflector, and the historic 36-inch Crossley reflector. The 36-inch refractor, presently the second largest of its type in the world, was the world's largest telescope when it was completed in 1888. This instrument, as well as the 120-inch, can be seen by visitors to the observatory.

Lick Observatory, which has been operated by the University of California since 1888, is an astronomical research facility serving astronomers from campuses throughout the State. The observatory headquarters is located on the Santa Cruz campus of the University.


Table of Contents

Main Building & Visitor Center
120-inch Shane Telescope
Picture Gallery
Historical Archive
Music of the Spheres
Summer Visitor Program
Directions for Visitors
Lick Links


Asterism

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