Thursday, July 25

Lick Observatory: Public Evening Tour: Thursday July 25, 2024

Friends of Lick Observatory Presale begins April 10th @ Noon. Tickets go on sale to the General Public on April 17th @ Noon.

By Lick Observatory

Date and time

Starts on Thursday, July 25 · 6:30pm PDT

Location

Lick Observatory

7281 Mount Hamilton Road Mount Hamilton, CA 95140

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

The "behind the scenes" style 4 - 6 hour walking tour of Lick Observatory starts at the main building's Visitor Center. You will learn about the history, technology, and current science being conducted at the various telescopes along the tour route. A highlight of the tour is admittance to the Shane 3-meter dome to view the mountain’s largest telescope up close.

After the walking tour you’ll have an opportunity to visit our Gift Shop and enjoy the sunset. During twilight, a history lecture will be presented about our founder, James Lick, and the extraordinary tale of the challenges that were overcome in the building of the observatory. Once the sky is dark (and weather permitting), viewing celestial objects through the 36-inch historic Great Refractor will commence.

Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are included with the tour.

General Admission - $75.00/ticket, sales begin 4/17/2024 @ 12:00 PM PDT

PLEASE NOTE the following important information:

LIMIT OF FOUR TICKETS PER CUSTOMER. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR.

COVID-19 - Our upcoming Public Evening Tours will have the following safety protocols:

*COVID-19 safety protocols may change according to the conditions in Santa Clara County and the University of California Santa Cruz policies to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and volunteers. Ticket purchasers will be notified of the current safety protocols and masking rules shortly before the event.

*By purchasing a ticket, you agree to abide by the COVID protocols in place at the time of the event.

REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES

The event will be held rain or shine. Weather may restrict telescope viewing, but all other activities will still take place.

No refunds or exchanges on purchased tickets, unless the event is cancelled.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Due to historic construction of telescope domes and safety concerns, the telescopes are not wheelchair accessible at this time. Those having difficulty navigating stairs may also find the telescopes inaccessible.

The walking tour involves up to one mile of walking and some stairs.

Due to safety regulations, children must be at least 8 years of age for admission. No exceptions. Due to late hours the program may also be difficult for children under 12.

Allow for at least a one-hour drive from San Jose (depending on traffic conditions). Driving directions and parking information can be found here. The event typically lasts between 4 and 6 hours; prepare to drive home late in the evening.

There is no food available at the observatory other than snack and beverage vending machines.

It can be surprisingly cool and windy on top of Mt. Hamilton at any time of year and much of the tour is outdoors or in unheated spaces, so please dress accordingly and plan to bring layers.

There is no gas at the observatory, be sure to have enough fuel before heading up Mt. Hamilton.

More Information: Visit us online here for more details or email us at tickets@ucolick.org.

Photo courtesy of © Laurie Hatch

Organized by

Lick Observatory

Evening with the Stars

Experience a Friday night to remember at Lick Observatory! Our Evenings with the Stars programs are held annually as part of our Summer Series. Each year we bring world-renowned astronomers to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a night with the “stars” you won’t forget!

The event activities include:

Astronomy talk by “star” scientists

Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope

Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope

Fascinating history talk about Lick Observatory

After-hours gift shop access

Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers and viewing through small telescopes

https://www.lickobservatory.org/events/evening-with-the-stars/

Music of the Spheres

Experience a Saturday night to remember at Lick Observatory! Each year Lick Observatory brings world-renown musicians and astronomers to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember.

The event activities include:

Concert

Astronomy talk by world-renowned scientists

Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope

Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope

Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers and viewing through small telescopes

https://www.lickobservatory.org/events/music-of-the-spheres/

Public Evening Tours

Our “behind the scenes” style 4 – 6 hour walking tour of Lick Observatory will start at the main building’s Visitor Center. Participants can learn about the unique history of the world’s first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory, the eccentric California pioneer James Lick, technology used for observing on different telescopes along the tour route, and current science being conducted at Lick Observatory.

The event activities include:

A highlight of the tour will be visiting the dome of the 3-meter Shane Telescope to see the mountain’s largest telescope up close. After the walking tour, there will be an opportunity to enjoy the sunset, and the Gift Shop will be open. During twilight, a history lecture about James Lick and the construction of the observatory will be presented. Once the sky is dark (and weather permitting), viewing celestial objects through the historic 36-inch Great Refractor Telescope will commence. Insights will be provided throughout the evening on how we find planets beyond our solar system, how exploding stars teach us about the evolution of the universe, how we discern the nature of galaxies and black holes, how new technologies are used to undo the blurring effects of Earth’s atmosphere, and about Lick Observatory’s rich astronomical history and bright scientific future.

Complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are included with the tour. The event will last approximately 4 to 6 hours. Visitors should be prepared to walk about one mile during the evening, including taking stairs. Events are held rain or shine.

https://www.lickobservatory.org/events/public-evening-tours/

$75