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Mission Statement

• Operate, maintain, and advance the optical/infrared astronomy facilities of the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton.


• Provide a scientific and administrative interface to the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.


• Operate facilities to design and construct advanced instrumentation for the Lick and Keck Telescopes, including major optics, instruments, detectors, and software systems.


• Provide an organization which can unite and coordinate astronomy groups throughout the UC system in support of the Lick and Keck Observatories.


• Conduct forefront research in astronomy.


• Support through its facilities graduate and undergraduate student teaching and the training of astronomy Ph.D.s throughout the UC system.