Photography Night: Saturday August 3, 2024
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Photography Night: Saturday August 3, 2024

Nighttime access to Lick Observatory to do astrophotography and photograph the 36" Lick Refractor, Lick Observatory, and city views.

By Lick Observatory

Date and time

August 3 · 7pm - August 4 · 12:30am PDT

Location

Lick Observatory

7281 Mount Hamilton Road Mount Hamilton, CA 95140

Refund Policy

No Refunds

About this event

At the summit of Mount Hamilton, above the city of San Jose, we have spectacular views of the night sky.

The Observatory gates will be opened for photographers and their equipment after normal visiting hours. The 36-inch Great Refractor telescope will be placed in a photogenic position, with the dome open, weather permitting.

Note: viewing or taking pictures through the telescope will not be offered at this event.

Photographers will also be able to set up their camera(s) and/or telescope(s) in the parking lot in order to capture the exterior of the main building, the San Jose city lights, and stars in the night sky. Drones may not be flown on the Observatory property.

Event schedule for August 3, 2024:

7:00 pm: Gates open for event: sunset photography, 36-inch Refractor dome open

7:00-8:00 pm: Gift Shop is open

8:19 pm: Sunset

8:22 pm: Moon set (waning crescent)

8:30 pm: Gates close – all photographers must have arrived by this time

9:16 pm: 12 degree twilight (nautical twilight)

9:53 pm: 18 degree twilight (astronomical twilight)

11:30 pm: Main building and 36-inch Refractor dome will close

12:30 am: Photography event ends (post office lobby will remain open for access to restrooms and vending machines)

Admission: $75.00 per vehicle (one ticket per vehicle, 4 people maximum per vehicle)

PLEASE NOTE the following important information:

EACH TICKET ADMITS ONE VEHICLE (NO RVs, BUSES, OR TRAILERS) WITH A MAXIMUM OF FOUR PEOPLE. LIMIT OF ONE TICKET PER CUSTOMER. NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE EVENT.

COVID-19 - Our upcoming Photography Nights 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 weather permitting. No refunds or exchanges on purchased tickets, unless the event is cancelled due to weather or road closure. Ticket purchasers will be notified of event cancellation via email by 3:00pm the day of the event.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Allow for at least a one-hour drive from San Jose (depending on traffic conditions). Driving directions and parking information can be found here.

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, 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 © Michael Coustier


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/