One of UCO's major functions is operating Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton

Visiting Lick Observatory

The public is invited to visit Lick Observatory

Lick Observatory Weekend Visiting Hours: Beginning on Saturday, May 15, Lick Observatory will again open at 10:00am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mon - Fri: 12:30pm - 5:00pm
Sat - Sun: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Closed Thanksgiving & Dec. 24-25. Open all other days!

In winter, road to Observatory may be closed due to snow. Visit the California Highway Information website and enter Hwy #130 for current conditions.

Behind the Scenes

Lick Observatory is primarily a research institution. Here's closer look at what you might not see when you visit.

Offsite Observatory Links

HamCam "Best of" Gallery
Daily images from November 2006 hosted by Flickr, may be viewed as slideshow
Visitor Information from HVAG
Thanks to Halls Valley Astronomical Group for their volunteer help at our Summer Visitors Programs

Light Pollution

How can the lighting needs of the Santa Clara Valley be met while preserving the position of Lick Observatory at the forefront of astronomical research?

Lick Observatory's Domes at Sunset Before telescopes are used for observing, dome slits are opened to equalize inside and outside temperatures. This controls distortion caused by unequal heating, eliminating wavering effects like those that cause desert mirages. Shane 120-inch telescope is in right foreground, APF is just to its left, and the Great Lick Refractor building can be seen at top left.

Photo copyright Laurie Hatch

UCO Info & Services

More Bay Area Astronomy

List of public astronomy programs in the San Francisco & Monterey Bay Areas