36
Miles
Mount
Hamilton
Lick Observatory
Located at 7281 Mount Hamilton Road,
Mount Hamilton, the observatory
has been owned and operated by the
University of California since it fi rst
began operations in 1888. Funds for
its construction came from a bequest
from James Lick, who began his career
as a carpenter and went on to become a
wealthy real-estate entrepreneur.
The Summer Visitor’s program
features lectures by renowned
astronomers and permits visitors
to view the night skies through the
observatory’s impressive 36-inch Great
Refractor. A series of summer lectures
feature distinguished scientists. Evening
concerts, called Music of the Spheres,
offer an eclectic mix of performances
from bluegrass to Beatles tunes. The
Main Building hosts informative
exhibits and teacher-training workshops
for K-12 teachers.
The mission of the University of
California Observatories, including
the Lick Observatory, is to share the
knowledge and wonders of astrono-
my with students and the public at
large. Thirty-five thousand adults and
children visit Mt. Hamilton annually.
The Observatory is open Thursdays
through Sundays from noon to 5 pm.
For information call 408-274-5061 or
visit ucolick.org/main/index.html.
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
june/july 2019
gmhtoday.com
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