450c_Mount Hamilton Skyline
© 2006 Laurie Hatch / image and text
– LICK OBSERVATORY
– Mt. Hamilton California
2006 May 14
– An early 20th century travel booklet states: “It is a liberal education to visit Mt.
Hamilton. The vastness of the universe, the achievements of science are sufficient to
fill the heart and to occupy the mind of the most intellectual and ambitious.”
Formerly known as La Sierra Ysabel, “The Ham” is now populated by ten telescopes whose
ages span over 130 years. Looking east from left to right, foreground: The Main
Building houses the 40“ Nickel Reflector on the left; the larger open dome of the Lick
36” Refractor is right. In the middle ground are four domes left to right (only three
are readily visible): the silver Crocker dome, the large Shane 3-meter Reflector, the
Carnegie Astrograph (virtually hidden), and the 2.4-meter Automated Planet Finder. The
dome of the 0.76-meter Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope is in the center
background.
– A VIEW FROM LICK OBSERVATORY
– Lick Observatory crowns the 4,200-foot Mt. Hamilton summit above Silicon Valley in
central California. This research station serves astronomers from University of
California campuses and their collaborators worldwide. Eccentric Bay Area tycoon and
philanthropist James Lick (1796-1876) bequeathed funding for construction which
spanned from 1880 to 1887, fulfilling his vision of the Observatory as a premier
astronomical facility. In 1959, the Shane 3-meter reflecting telescope was completed
on Mt. Hamilton. It continues to provide data for forefront research and engineering
programs. In total, the mountain top is home to 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 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 zoom lens @ f/6.3
ISO Equivalent: 100
Exposure: 1/1250 second
-FOR MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.ucolick.org,
http://www.ucolick.org/public/telescopes/,
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php,
lh@lauriehatch.com,
http://www.lauriehatch.com
– The photographer thanks UCO / Lick Observatory staff and friends for their
continual and enthusiastic support.
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