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    "i" is for Information :: Image Names :: Descriptions

    On the navigation bar below, click "i" to read about each portfolio when it opens, and descriptions for each image contained within. Click "i" again to close the pop up window.

    For example: Several astronomy photos feature contributions written by observers about their forefront research with the telescopes when the shutter was clicked.


    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)


     LH02250 MAIN BUILDING MOONSET 

     

    2007 July 30


    The first light of dawn arrives on Mt. Hamilton in this view looking west from Copernicus Peak, high above the fog-shrouded balley below. Telescope domes have closed and astronomers and night techinicians are headed to their bunks for a long day's sleep. The Main Building issues a glowing confirmation that the sun has just crested the eastern horizon behind the camera. The descending full moon will soon disapperar behind the Santa Cruz Moiuntains as sky brightens into daylight. Although reflectivity of the lunar surface is similar to that of black velvet, sunlight bounced from its dusty skin is remarkably intense, inspiring many ancient cultures to incorrectly assume that the moon was somehow ignited from within.

     

     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 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens
    ISO digital: 100 / f/5.6
    Exposure: 1/200 second

     

    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 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

    "i" is for Information!
    1024,768
    Price On Request
  • Lick Observatory's Close Call 

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?"  (Quoted from Sky & Telescope. The cover is shown here by courtesy of S&T.)

     

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    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

     

     LH6022 MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT LASER 

     

    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. Special thanks go to Dr. Elinor Gates and the Mount Hamilton technical support staff for their collaboration in coordinating 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

    Sky & Telescope Magazine Cover Feature :: August 2015
    570,716
    Price On Request

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    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)

     

     LH6022 MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT LASER 

     

    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. Special thanks go to Dr. Elinor Gates and the Mount Hamilton technical support staff for their collaboration in coordinating 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

    LH6022_Mount Hamilton Summit Laser
    638,960
    Price On Request
  • view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA


    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)


     LH0002 LICK OBSERVATORY LIGHTNING 

     

    1999 September 8

    In this one-minute time exposure looking west from Kepler Peak, a turbulent cloud hurtles lightning into Mt. Hamilton foothills. Across Silicon Valley, more bolts shock the Santa Cruz Mountains twenty miles away. Thunder rumbles across hillsides announcing repeated strikes. Sheets of rain drench valley neighborhoods. It is a spectacle of rare intensity on Mt. Hamilton, and one that will continue past daybreak. Domes remain closed for the duration of the storm, shielding telescopes from the assault.

    PERSONAL NOTES

    On the evening of September 8, 1999, a massive storm system engulfed the greater San Francisco Bay Area. My astronomer husband Rem Stone and I watched from the southern window of our home on the summit of Mt. Hamilton as a behemoth fast-moving cell advanced north like a juggernaut toward San José. Clusters of lightning pulsed from its dark belly. We grabbed my camera gear and raced to a windy vantage point on Kepler Peak. I began to shoot one minute exposures of the Observatory as the giant cell approached Mt. Hamilton’s foothills ten miles west of the summit. In every direction as far as we could see, storm clouds spiked jagged bolts and sheets of rain into cities and bordering hills. For nearly two hours I continued to shoot while ‘safety officer’ Rem monitored cells which surrounded us, counting eerie interludes between flashes and thunderous explosions, and marveling as mega-amps discharged into the ground. It was like being on a surreal sci-fi movie set.

    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
    Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 lens
    Kodak Supra 100 Color Negative filmExposure: 1 minute @ f/8
    Tango Drum Scan
    Raw image file data were adjusted, optimized, and sharpened for digital output.

    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 useage requests.


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lightning Safety

     


     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to University of California Observatories astronomers and staff for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing this photograph.



    FINE ART PRINTS

    Email for size options and price quote

    LICENSING

    Email your inquiry / comment

    LH0002_Lick Observatory Lightning
    1024,674
    Price On Request
  • view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)


     LH0002 LICK OBSERVATORY LIGHTNING 

     

    1999 September 8

    In this one-minute time exposure looking west from Kepler Peak, a turbulent cloud hurtles lightning into Mt. Hamilton foothills. Across Silicon Valley, more bolts shock the Santa Cruz Mountains twenty miles away. Thunder rumbles across hillsides announcing repeated strikes. Sheets of rain drench valley neighborhoods. It is a spectacle of rare intensity on Mt. Hamilton, and one that will continue past daybreak. Domes remain closed for the duration of the storm, shielding telescopes from the assault.

    The apparent lightning figure which appears on the Shane dome is an optical phenomenon caused by an internal reflection in the camera. A ghost image from the section outlined just below was inverted both horizontally and vertically, as shown in the extracted example adjacent to the dome. Compare the inverted sample with the ghosted lightning figure on the dome, and note that the lightning outlines are identical. The ghost image was superimposed on the film, but is not ‘real’. Lightning appears to be striking the dome but was actually ten miles away.

    PERSONAL NOTES

    On the evening of September 8, 1999, a massive storm system engulfed the greater San Francisco Bay Area. My astronomer husband Rem Stone and I watched from the southern window of our home on the summit of Mt. Hamilton as a behemoth fast-moving cell advanced north like a juggernaut toward San José. Clusters of lightning pulsed from its dark belly. We grabbed my camera gear and raced to a windy vantage point on Kepler Peak. I began to shoot one minute exposures of the Observatory as the giant cell approached Mt. Hamilton’s foothills ten miles west of the summit. In every direction as far as we could see, storm clouds spiked jagged bolts and sheets of rain into cities and bordering hills. For nearly two hours I continued to shoot while ‘safety officer’ Rem monitored cells which surrounded us, counting eerie interludes between flashes and thunderous explosions, and marveling as mega-amps discharged into the ground. It was like being on a surreal sci-fi movie set.

    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
    Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 lens
    Kodak Supra 100 Color Negative filmExposure: 1 minute @ f/8
    Tango Drum Scan
    Raw image file data were adjusted, optimized, and sharpened for digital output.

    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 useage requests.


    FOR MORE INFORMATION

    University of California Observatories

    HamCam

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lightning Safety

     


     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to University of California Observatories astronomers and staff for their generous and invaluable assistance in producing this photograph.



    FINE ART PRINTS

    Email for size options and price quote

    LICENSING

    Email your inquiry / comment

    LH0002_Lightning
    1024,674
    Price On Request

  • view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)


     LH7303 GREAT REFRACTOR OBSERVING 

     

    2014 April 19


    Dr. Elinor Gates moves the Great Lick Refractor into the next viewing position, while students from Alex Filippenko's UC Berkeley Astronomy classes await their turn at the eyepiece.

     

    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
    1/15 second @ f/2.8
    ISO digital equivalent: 1600
    Native Resolution: 7360x4912 pixels
    Panoramic Composite
    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

    LH7303_Great Refractor Observing
    1080,721
    Price On Request

  • view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)

     

     LH7317_3m-LASER GUIDE STAR_SLOANE W 

     

    2014 March 16

    Read about PHOTOGRAPHING THE LASER

     

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

    This view shows instrumentation at the lower end of the Shane 3m telescope while the Adaptive Optics Laser Guide star is propagating. UCSC Astronomer Sloane Wiktorowicz is observing in the adajent 3m control room.

    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 and vertical distortion are a function of camera position, perspective, and wide angle lens optical distortion. The laser launch tube is positioned on the upper (south) side of the telescope. In neutral light, the brushed aluminum dome interior is silver in color, as seen in lower center where the dome skin is brightly illuminated by the light of a full moon. The dome interior closest to the laser is tinted saffron by scattered light.


    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
    30 seconds @ f/2.8, 24.0 mm
    ISO digital equivalent: 800
    Native Resolution: 7360x4912 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

    Lick Observatory Telescopes

    UCO / Lick Adaptive Optics

    Sloane Wiktorowicz

    The History of Lick Observatory

    Lick Observatory Collections Project

     

     

    Sincere gratitude is extended to UCSC Astronomer Sloane Wiktorowicz for granting access to the dome during observations. 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.

     


    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

    LH7317_3m-Laser Guide Star_Sloane W
    772,960
    Not For Sale

  • view in FULL SCREEN toggle F11

    LICK OBSERVATORY
    MOUNT HAMILTON SUMMIT
    CALIFORNIA

    Lick Observatory's Close Call

    Sky & Telescope Magazine August 2015

    Feature Article By Trudy Bell

    "In fall 2013, the University of California targeted Lick Observatory for zero funding by 2018. Last fall, that decision was reversed. What happened? And what could other endangered observatories learn from Lick's experience?" (Quoted from Sky & Telescope.)


     LH02250 MAIN BUILDING MOONSET 

     

    2007 July 30


    The first light of dawn arrives on Mt. Hamilton in this view looking west from Copernicus Peak, high above the fog-shrouded balley below. Telescope domes have closed and astronomers and night techinicians are headed to their bunks for a long day's sleep. The Main Building issues a glowing confirmation that the sun has just crested the eastern horizon behind the camera. The descending full moon will soon disapperar behind the Santa Cruz Moiuntains as sky brightens into daylight. Although reflectivity of the lunar surface is similar to that of black velvet, sunlight bounced from its dusty skin is remarkably intense, inspiring many ancient cultures to incorrectly assume that the moon was somehow ignited from within.

     

     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 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens
    ISO digital: 100 / f/5.6
    Exposure: 1/200 second

     

    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 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

    2250_Main Building Moonset
    638,960
    Price On Request
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