Visit
- Photographers enjoying a spectecular sunset at #PhotoNight on September 30th, 2017. Photo by (c) Michael Coustier.
2021 Photography Nights Scheduled
Starting in August, Lick Observatory will resume Photography Night events.
Our upcoming Photography Nights will have the following COVID-19 requirements.
- Starting August 3rd, all visitors to Lick Observatory will be required to wear a face mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
- All guests must fill out our UC Santa Cruz COVID Daily Symptom Check either online before arrival at the observatory or via a paper form upon arrival and before the start of the event. You will receive more information regarding this COVID-19 requirement in a separate communication prior to the event.
- By purchasing a ticket, you agree to abide by these policies.
Photography Nights at Lick Observatory
At the summit of Mt. Hamilton, above the city of San Jose, we have spectacular views of the night sky. Due to Lick Observatory's popularity with photographers, we are organizing photography events this year.
Photography Night dates in 2021:
- Saturday August 7th (gates open at 7:00 pm) | SOLD OUT
- Saturday, September 4th (gates open at 6:30 pm) | SOLD OUT
- Friday, September 24th (gates open at 6:00 pm)
We will open up the main building after normal visiting hours for photographers and their equipment. We will have the 36-inch Great Refractor telescope in a photogenic position, with the dome open, weather permitting. (Note: viewings or taking pictures through the telescope will not be offered at this event.) Photographers will also be able to set up their camera equipment and/or telescopes in the parking lot in order to capture the exterior of the main building, the San Jose city lights, and stars in the night sky. Drones may not be flown on the Observatory property.
Tickets
Admission fee: $60.00 per vehicle (one ticket per vehicle, 4 people maximum per vehicle)
Tickets will go on sale on July 14th, 2021 at Noon PDT at
ucsctickets.com
We have space for a maximum of 30 vehicles, up to four people per vehicle / ticket (buses, RVs, and trailers are not permitted to the Photography Night). In the event of poor weather, registrants will be notified of event cancellation via e-mail on the day of the event, and your tickets will be refunded. Please subscribe to our photography events mailing list to get updates about our photgraph events.
Our upcoming Photography Nights will have the following COVID-19 requirements.
- Vaccinated people do not need to wear masks during the event. Unvaccinated people are required to wear masks while indoors at Lick Observatory.
- All guests must fill out our UC Santa Cruz COVID Daily Symptom Check either online before arrival at the observatory or via a paper form upon arrival and before the start of the event. You will receive more information regarding this COVID-19 requirement in a separate communication prior to the event.
Need inspiration for what to shoot?
Check out the Lick Observatory Flickr collection and Instagram feed for ideas.
Driving to Lick Observatory
Allow a one hour drive from San Jose. Please drive carefully; the road is scenic, but winding. There are no gas or automotive services on Mount Hamilton Road, so please plan accordingly. Find more travel information here.
Schedule for August 7th, 2021
| 7:00 pm | Gates open for event: sunset photography, 36-inch Refractor dome open |
| 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Gift Shop is open |
| 8:16 pm | Sunset |
| 8:30 pm | Gates close - all photographers must have arrived by this time |
| 9:12 pm | 12 degree twilight (nautical twilight) |
| 9:49 pm | 18 degree twilight (astronomical twilight) |
| 11:30 pm | Main building and 36-inch Refractor dome will close |
| 12:30 am | Photography event ends (post office lobby will remain open for access to restrooms and vending machines) |
Schedule for September 4th, 2021
| 6:30 pm | Gates open for event: sunset photography, 36-inch Refractor dome open |
| 6:30 - 8:30 pm | Gift Shop is open |
| 7:39 pm | Sunset |
| 8:00 pm | Gates close - all photographers must have arrived by this time |
| 8:30 pm | 12 degree twilight (nautical twilight) |
| 9:03 pm | 18 degree twilight (astronomical twilight) |
| 11:00 pm | Main building and 36-inch Refractor dome will close |
| 12:00 am | Photography event ends (post office lobby will remain open for access to restrooms and vending machines) |
Schedule for September 24th, 2021
| 6:00 pm | Gates open for event: sunset photography, 36-inch Refractor dome open |
| 6:00 - 8:00 pm | Gift Shop is open |
| 7:09 pm | Sunset |
| 7:30 pm | Gates close - all photographers must have arrived by this time |
| 7:58 pm | 12 degree twilight (nautical twilight) |
| 8:29 pm | 18 degree twilight (astronomical twilight) |
| 9:01 pm | Moon rises (waning gibbous) |
| 10:30 pm | Main building and 36-inch Refractor dome will close |
| 11:30 pm | Photography event ends (post office lobby will remain open for access to restrooms and vending machines) |
Join the Photography Events Mailing List
If you'd like to receive information about Photography Nights at Lick Observatory, please join our Photography Events mailing list.