• This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

    "As the University of California constructs the largest telescope the world has ever known, a group of astronomers is working to fund a century-old observatory."

     

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


     LH0315 PRE-DAWN SNOW 

     

    2006 February 19


    President’s Day Weekend: From Copernicus Peak looking southwest 25 minutes before sunrise, the saffron-colored street lights of south Silicon Valley glow through the fog. Small cumulous clouds scattered along the horizon reflect the approaching light of dawn. Coyotes bark and sing in the canyons below, piercing the frosty silence. Seven of the Observatory’s ten telescopes are visible from left to right: Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope, Crossley 36” Reflector, Shane 120” Reflector, Tauchmann 22” Reflector, Crocker Dome (partially hidden in shrubs), and the Main Building with Lick 36” Refractor on the left, and Nickel 40” Reflector on the right.

     

    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon D2x
    Nikkor 60 mm f/2.8 zoom lens @ f/8
    ISO Equivalent: 100
    Exposure: 4 seconds

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Save Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    More Snow Photographs by Lick Staff

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

    Sun / Moon Data — US Naval Observatory

     

     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to University of California Observatories | Lick Observatory astronomers, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing these images.



    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  •  here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolution.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

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    LH0315_Pre-Dawn Snow
    1024,680
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  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


     LH7307_CAL STUDENTS HONOR JAMES LICK

     

    2014 April 19


    Astronomy Professor Alex Filippenko (far right) and his students from the University of California, Berkeley pay their respects to James Lick. The tomb is underneath the Lick 36" Refractor observing floor, at the base of the telescope support pier. “I intend to rot like a gentleman!” Lick stated unequivocally when asked if he wished his remains to be cremated before interment in the foundation of his Great Refractor. He died quietly on October 1, 1876, after suffering a debilitating stroke three years before. He was temporarily buried at San Francisco’s Masonic Cemetery after a grand funeral parade “fit for a king” that was attended by many thousands. Over a decade later, on January 8, 1887, his body was transferred to Mt. Hamilton. Lick trustees and staff opened the coffin lid to verify that it was indeed Mr. Lick’s corpse sheltered within. Without the fanfare of his first funeral, the body of James Lick was then sealed into his unique tomb. This modest plaque identifies the Great Refractor’s dual function. For a comprehensive history of the Observatory, see the superb text "Eye on the Sky" by Osterbrock et al. 

    Sincere gratitude is extended to Dr. Alex Fillipenko and his UC Berkeley students, resident astronomer Dr. Elinor Gates, and University of California Observatories / Lick Observatory astronomer colleagues, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing this photograph.

     

     A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon D800E
    Nikkor 14-24 mm f/2.8
    1/10 second @ f/2.8
    ISO digital equivalent: 1250
    Native Resolution: 6359x4912 pixels
    Raw image file data were adjusted, optimized, and sharpened for digital output.

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Save Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    The Nature Conservancy's Mt. Hamilton Project

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

    Sun / Moon Data US Naval Observatory

     

     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to Dr. Alex Fillipenko and his UC Berkeley students, resident astronomer Dr. Elinor Gates, and University of California Observatories / Lick Observatory astronomer colleagues, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing this photograph. 



    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  • here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolution.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH7307_Cal Students Honor James Lick
    1024,791
    Price On Request
  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

     

     LH7310_CLAIRE MAX_3M ADAPTIVE OPTICS / LASER GUIDE STAR  

     

    2015 January 5

    Read about PHOTOGRAPHING THE LASER

     

    INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
    ADAPTIVE OPTICS / LASER GUIDE STAR • AO/LGS •ShARCS

    This image was photographed at Lick Observatory on 2015 January 5. University of California Observatories Interim Director Claire Max is inside the Shane 3m dome while the Adaptive Optics Laser Guide star is propagating.

    Note that the sky is a purple-blue color, with stars peeking through gauzy cirrus clouds. (We were fortunate the laser could propagate on this night as cloud conditions were marginal.) This phenomena is not uncommon in the Silicon Valley region. Decades ago, the city of San José installed low pressure sodium street lighting in a 'good neighbor' collaboration with nearby Lick Observatory. Overcast skies often reflect the city's characteristic saffron glow in delicate colors ranging from pink to gold. Filtered through these thin tinted clouds, the moon-brightened blue night appears purple-blue.

    https://mthamilton.ucolick.org/public/lighting/Pollution2.html

    SUMMARY: ADAPTIVE OPTICS | LASER GUIDE STAR

    Many celestial images are very faint, such as those that lie in the most remote regions of the universe. Earth’s turbulent atmosphere blurs celestial images that pass through as they arrive at the telescope, making observation and analysis difficult. But an extraordinary technology is revolutionizing ground-based astronomy. This 10-watt laser beam creates a bright “artificial star“ high in the atmosphere, along the line of sight to the object being observed. Astronomers then measure the atmospheric disturbance, or twinkling in the artificial star, and make rapid counter-corrections by continually deforming a small flexible mirror in the light path. Both laser “star” and faint target object then come into precise focus, yielding precise celestial images that rival those from space telescopes.

    SCALE

    Diameter of laser beam: 25 centimeters (~ 9.8 inches)
    Diameter of top ring of telescope: 3.6 meters (~ 11.8 feet)
    Width of dome opening ("slit"): 6.7 meters (~ 22 feet)

    NOTES

    The slit width is uniform throughout. In this photograph, the apparent spread in diameter is a function of camera position, perspective, and wide angle lens optical distortion. The laser launch tube is positioned on the south side of the telescope, with the slit and telescope oriented in an easterly direction. When seen in neutral light, the brushed aluminum dome interior is silver in color. However, in this photograph it is tinted saffron by scattered light from the laser system. The far rim of the slit opening as well as part of the dome interior and telescope structure are brightly illuminated by a full moon. The deep blue moonlit sky is subtly tinted purple by saffron-tinted low pressure sodium street lights in nearby San Jose reflecting on a guazy thin layer of high cirrus clouds.

    Sincere gratitude is extended to UCSC Astronomers Dr. Claire Max, and Dr. Shrikar Srinath (who graciously traded science time for the photo session), as well as University of California Observatories astronomers, technicians, staff, and friends. Special thanks go to Dr. Elinor Gates and the Mount Hamilton technical support staff for their generous assistance and invaluable collaboration in producing this photograph.


    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon D810
    Nikkor 14-24 mm f/2.8
    15 and 30 seconds @ f/4, 14.0 mm
    ISO digital equivalent: 800
    Native Resolution: 6983x5304 pixels
    Three-frame High Dynamic Range and Panoramic Composite
    Raw image file data were adjusted, optimized, and sharpened for digital output.

    SHOOTING NOTES

    Extreme exposure values between Dr. Max in the foreground and the dark background dome necessitated producing the laser portrait as a composite of three exposures. All frames were shot within moments of each other from the same tripod position, with the same lens and lighting. Two successive frames of the telescope and dome background were exposed for 30 seconds each with flash. One view was lower, the other higher. These frames were stitched together in post production to extend the composition vertically to allow for vertical cropping, as well as horizontal. The subject frame was exposed for 15 seconds with the same flash value, lens, and camera position. It was then layered onto the stitched background frame in post production. The composite is an accurate rendering of what I experienced in the dome that night.

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Save Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    UCO / Lick Adaptive Optics

    ShARCS Instrument

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

     

     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to UCSC Astronomers Claire Max and Shrinar Srinath, as well as University of California Observatories astronomers, technicians, staff, and friends. Special thanks go to Staff Astronomer Dr. Elinor Gates and the Mount Hamilton technical support staff for their generous assistance and invaluable collaboration in producing this photograph.

     


    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  • here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolutiont.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH7310_Claire Max 3m Adaptive Optics / Laser Guide Star
    1280,972
    Price On Request
  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


     LH0101_FULL MOON OBSERVING

     

    2003 September 10

    Considered to be an irreplaceable national astronomical treasure, the Lick 36” Refractor saw first light in 1888. At that time it was the most powerful telescope on earth. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. For over a century many significant discoveries were made, such as that of the fifth moon of Jupiter in 1892. In late summer of 2003, and again in fall of 2005, the close approach of Mars was studied and recorded. In this photograph Mars observers William Sheehan and Tony Misch are taking a break from observing the red planet and instead are viewing the full moon.

    The Great Refractor and dome interior are seen through the encompassing eye of a 180-degree fisheye lens. It is challenging to capture the unique ambience inside this enormous Victorian structure. Perhaps the experience is described most eloquently by early Lick Director and accomplished astronomer James Keeler in a fascinating article written for the 1888 July 6 issue of The Engineer: “Even the habitually frivolous become thoughtful when they enter the presence of the great telescope.” Both dome and telescope were technological marvels in their day, and have seen many seminal discoveries. Occasionally used in its second century for research, this venerable telescope frequently inspires visiting classes and summer visitors with enchanting views of the heavens. 

    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon N90s, Sigma 15mm f/2.8 semi-fisheye lens
    Provia 400 Color Reversal film
    Exposure: unrecorded, two composited frames, one shot for highlights, the other for midtones and shadows

    A digital perspective correction filter was subsequently applied to the image file to restore fisheye distortion to a rectillinear view. 

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Two Weeks On Mars

    Support Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

    Lick Observatory Summer Series

     

     


     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to William Sheehan, Tony Misch, and University of California Observatories | Lick Observatory astronomers, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing this image.



    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  •  here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolution.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH0101_Full Moon Observing
    637,960
  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


     LH7312_LAUREN WEISS UCB APF OBSERVING

     

    2015 January 3


    From the UC Berkeley remote workstation (about 70 miles away from Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton), astronomer Lauren Weiss monitors the Automated Planet Finder (APF), a fully automated telescope that is searching for planets around the nearest stars. On her laptop, Lauren examines some preliminary data revealing planet discoveries while the APF runs. From right to left, the four workstation monitors show (1) the latest webcam view of the APF at Lick Observatory, (2) the guider image as the telescope moves from one star to the next, (3) the latest image of a spectrum from the telescope, in which is hidden the signatures of stellar motion indicative of planets, and (4) another view of the latest spectrum, along with the spectrograph controls.

     

    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon D810
    Nikkor 14-24 mm f/2.8
    1/30 second @ f/6.5, 14.0 mm
    ISO digital equivalent: 1100
    Native Resolution: 4222x3405 pixels
    Raw image file data were adjusted, optimized, corrected for lens distortion, and sharpened for digital output.

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Save Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    The Nature Conservancy's Mt. Hamilton Project

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

    Sun / Moon Data US Naval Observatory

     

     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to UCB astronomer Lauren Weiss for her patience and good humor. We had fun on this photo shoot! 



    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  • here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolution.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH7312_Lauren Weiss UCB Observing APF
    1191,711
    Price On Request
  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


     LH2252_AUTOMATED PLANET FINDER & STEVE VOGT

     

    2009 May 29


    Principle Investigator Steve Vogt stands near the 2.4-meter primary mirror in the dome of the Automated Planet Finder Telescope at Lick Observatory. APF is fully robotic and equipped with a high-resolution spectrograph (designed by Vogt) optimized for precision Doppler measurements, and will enable off-site astronomers to detect rocky planets of Earth-size masses within our local galactic neighborhood.

     

    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon D2x
    Nikkor 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens
    ISO digital: 125 / f/3.5
    Exposure: 1/30 second
    Raw image file data were adjusted, optimized, and sharpened for digital output.

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Save Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

     


     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to Dr. Vogt, and University of California Observatories | Lick Observatory astronomers, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing these images.



    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  •  here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolution.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH2152_Automated Planet Finder & Steve Vogt
    1024,688
    Price On Request
  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


     LH0021_GREAT LICK REFRACTOR

     

    2001 April 8


    Considered to be an irreplaceable national astronomical treasure, the Lick 36” Refractor saw first light in 1888. At that time it was the most powerful telescope on earth. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. For over a century many significant discoveries were made, such as that of the fifth moon of Jupiter in 1892. In late summer of 2003, and again in fall of 2005, the close approach of Mars was studied and recorded. This impressive instrument is frequently used for public viewing and educational programs.

    As twilight approaches, bright daytime sky reflections on the telescope gradually transform with the darkening sky into deep, intensely saturated blues. To ensure precise focus from foreground to background, an aperture of f/45 on 100 ISO film necessitated an exceptionally long, unenhanced 25-minute time exposure. Recorded here is the elusive transition when stars begin to appear, yet the ultramarine sky and its brilliant reflections have not fully given way to darkness. A bank of photographic lights illuminate subtle details of telescope, pier, and dome, features otherwise not easily discerned as the muted interior eases into night. An additional 30-second exposure of the sky was also shot and then digitally composited in the original photograph to more accurately represent the stars as perceived by the human eye. Polaris (North Star) is visible in the dome slit just above the telescope.

    A 5’x7’ photomural version of this image is installed in the Explore the Universe Exhibition, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. It is a trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) backdrop on which the famous 1894 Brashear “Mills Spectrograph” is displayed. (The instrument is not shown here.) Sincere appreciation and thanks are extended to NASM for their initiation and support of this endeavor. A percentage of proceeds from sales of this picture will be dedicated to preservation of the Great Refractor and to enrichment of visitor programs.

     

    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Sinar p2 4x5, Sinaro 135mm f/5.6 S lens
    Kodak VC T100 Color Negative film
    Exposures:
    25 minutes @ f/45, 30 seconds @ f/5.6
    Digital drum scans from the original film frames were composited and corrected in Photoshop?
    Photography assisted by Steve Lawrence and Anthony Marino

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    NASM Explore the Universe Exhibition

    Support Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

    Lick Observatory Summer Series

    Two Weeks On Mars

     


     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Musuem, Steve Lawrence, Anthony Marino, and University of California Observatories | Lick Observatory astronomers, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing these images.



    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  •  here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolution.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH0021 Great Lick Refractor
    720,960
    Price On Request
  • This photograph is featured in:

    The Fight to Save Lick Observatory  by Eric Betz

    Astronomy Magazine May 2015

     

    view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

     

     LH6022 MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT LASER GUIDE STAR 

     

    2008 July 21

    Read about PHOTOGRAPHING THE LASER

     

    INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES:
    ADAPTIVE OPTICS / LASER GUIDE STAR • AO/LGS

    Many celestial images are very faint, such as those that lie in the most remote regions of the universe. Earth’s turbulent atmosphere blurs celestial images that arrive at the telescope, making observation and analysis difficult. But an extraordinary new technology is revolutionizing ground-based astronomy. This 12-watt laser beam creates a bright “artificial star“ high in the atmosphere, along the line of sight to the object being observed. Astronomers then measure the atmospheric disturbance, or twinkling in the artificial star, and make rapid counter-corrections by continually deforming a small flexible mirror in the light path. Both laser “star” and faint target object then come into precise focus, yielding substantially better data than would otherwise be possible. The characteristic saffron yellow of Silicon Valley's low pressure sodium lighting illuminates the background.

     

    A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY

    Lick Observatory crowns the 4200-foot summit of Mt. Hamilton above central California’s Silicon Valley. This research station serves astronomers from University of California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area businessman and philanthropist James Lick funded construction in the 1880’s, envisioning the Observatory as a premier astronomical facility, and also as his memorial and final resting place. Lick is entombed in the base of the Lick 36” Refractor, the most powerful telescope on the planet when built. It remains the world’s second largest refractor. The mountaintop is populated by ten telescopes which are supported by resident staff and by headquarters at UC Santa Cruz. Acclaimed for academic excellence, technical expertise, and superior instrumentation, Lick Observatory probes the expanding frontiers of space.

     

    EXPOSURE DATA

    Nikon D2x
    Nikkor 17-35 mm f/2.8 wide angle zoom lens
    ISO digital: 100 / f/2.8
    Exposure: 301 seconds
    Muti-Frame High Dynamic Range Stacked Imaging

     

    PUBLICATIONS

    This image is available in high resolution.

     


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    Save Lick Observatory

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    UCO / Lick Adaptive Optics

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

     

     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to University of California Observatories | Lick Observatory astronomers, staff, and friends for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing these images.

     


    COPYRIGHT  •  All images and text are property of Laurie Hatch Photography; unauthorized use is a violation of copyright law. You are welcome to email me with your usage requests.

    IMAGE USE CAVEATS  • here

    PUBLISHERS  •  This image is available in high resolutiont.

    LICENSING  •   email comment / inquiry

    FINE ART PRINTS  •  Email for size options and price quote

    LH6022_Mount Hamilton Summit Laser Guide Star
    638,960
    Price On Request
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