Visiting Lick Observatory: Main Building & Visitor Center

Visiting Lick Observatory

Main Building & Visitor Center

The West Front of the Main Building

Located in the Main Building, the Lick Observatory Visitor Center includes the 36-inch refractor, photographic displays, an exhibit room, a gift shop, and the Laurentine Hamilton Memorial. Items for sale in the gift shop include books, posters, photographs, and other astronomically related materials. The phone number is 408-274-5061. The e-mail address is giftshop@ucolick.org. The Main Building is wheelchair accessible by means of a ramp on the east side of the building.

Talks are given by observatory guides, every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour, in the dome of the 36-inch refractor. The history of the observatory is discussed, as well as current research, and visitors have the opportunity to ask questions.

Hours

Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 5 pm

Monday thru Friday 12:30 pm - 5 pm

There is no charge for entering either the observatory grounds or the buildings. Furthermore, no fee is charged for the talks given by the observatory guides. Lick Observatory welcomes your support, however, and donations are appreciated. A donation box is located in the Main Building, near the entrance.

Food concessions, picnic areas, and gasoline are not available at the observatory.

Public observing through the 36-inch refractor and the 40-inch reflector, located in the Main Building, is presently available through the Summer Visitor Program.

Asterism