July 30, 2016
8:30 p.m.
Performer: Black Cedar Trio
Astronomy Speaker: Dr. Brad Holden, UC Observatories
Concert Information
As the only ensemble dedicated to music for flute, cello, and guitar, Black Cedar is devoted to creating the new, discovering the neglected, and re-imagining the old works for this unique combination. Their debut album will be released this coming May. The band features cellist Isaac Pastor-Chermak, Flutist Kris Palmer and Guitarist Steve Lin.
Black Cedar re-imagines the old masters with their own arrangements of works such as Mozart’s Grand Trio, Nicolo Paganini’s Terzetto, Bach’s E Minor Flute Sonata, and Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane. And, they delve into the folk music idiom with their own renditions of the old Appalachian folk tune House Carpenter, the old English tune Fortune My Foe, and Astor Piazzolla’s lovely Tanti Anni Prima.
Visit the Black Cedar website for more information.
Lecture Information
Title: Finding Planets Around Other Stars from the Couch
Dr. Brad Holden grew up in suburban Maryland always wanting to be an astronomer. After receiving his Ph.D from the University of Chicago in Astronomy and Astrophysics, he decided to move to a place more conducive to watching the night sky, and has lived in California for most of his adult life.
Dr. Holden works as a research astronomer at the University of California Observatories headquarters at UC Santa Cruz, and so managed to realize his childhood dream. He is interested in a diverse range of topics. He has been part of teams searching of the most massive clusters of galaxies in the universe using the NASA Chandra satellite. He was a member of the team in charge of delivering the Advanced Camera for Surveys for the Hubble Space Telescope, and used that instrument to measure the size and shapes of galaxies across cosmic time.
Currently he is part of team finding galaxies at the edge of the observable universe using the Hubble Space Telescope while, at the same time, runs the Automated Planet Finding telescope at Lick Observatory.
Ticket Information
Tickets for this event are now sold out.
Next Year, Get Tickets Early
If you'd like to purchase tickets as early as April 2017, join our Friends of Lick Observatory (FoLO) program. As a thank you for supporting the observatory, you'll get special access to purchase tickets before the general public. To be notified when tickets go on sale to the general public, join our mailing list.
Ticket Packages
General Admission: $45
Youth (under 16): $40
Senior (over 65): $40
Ticket includes concert seating, astronomy lecture, view through the Great Refractor telescope, view through the Nickel Telescope and souvenir wine glass or mug.
Preferred Guest: $90
Ticket includes preferred concert seating, astronomy lecture, preferred viewing through the Great Refractor telescope, preferred viewing through the Nickel Telescope, souvenir wine glass or mug, 20% discount at the gift shop.
VIP: $200
Ticket includes private group tour of the Shane Telescope before the concert, catered buffet dinner with wine in our historic Dining Hall, front center concert seating, astronomy lecture, priority viewing through the 36-inch Great Refractor, priority viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Telescope, souvenir wine glass or mug and 20% Discount at our gift shop.
More Ticket Information
Due to the historic construction of the telescope domes and safety concerns, the 36-inch Great Refractor Telescope and the 40-inch Nickel Telescope are not wheelchair accessible at this time. Those who have difficulty navigating stairs may also find the telescopes inaccessible. Funds are being raised through the Friends of Lick Observatory to repair the elevating floor of the Lick 36-inch telescope to re-enable handicap access.
Tickets are non-refundable. Please be advised that unpredictable weather patterns may restrict telecope viewings, though lectures, concerts and other activities will still take place.
Due to safety regulations, children must be at least 8 years of age for admission and accompanied by an adult. Due to late program hours, the program may be difficult for children under 12.
Program Information
| 7:30 p.m. | Doors Open | Brief Telescope Visits |
| 8:30 p.m. | Concert, Main Hall | |
| 9:30 p.m. | Science Talk, Lecture Hall | Telescope Viewings |
| 10:30 p.m. | Science Talk (repeated), Lecture Hall | Telescope Viewings |
| 1:00 a.m. | Doors Close |
Driving to Lick Observatory
Please allow a one-hour drive from San Jose. The rood is good, but windy. The event typically lasts between 4 and 6 hours; prepare to drive home late in the evening. There are no automative services or gas stations for 20 miles, so please plan ahead. See more information on driving directions and parking here.
Recommended Attire
Casual, comfortable clothing and walking shoes. A sweater or light coat is recommended.
Safety
Please be careful when walking around in the dark outside; bringing a flashlight is recommended. Children under age 8 are not allowed at this event, and it may be unsuitable for children under the age of 12 due to late hours.
Telescopes
The large telescopes will be available for viewing as soon as the sky is dark. Telescopes will remain open until every guest has had an opportunity to see through both the 36-inch Great Refractor and the 40-inch Nickel Telescope.
In order to view through the telescopes, guests will receive a numbered pass at the door. Guests with the lowest telescope numbers are admitted to the telescopes first - so we recommend getting to the observatory early! Please note: Due to historic construction of the telescope domes, the 36-inch Refractor and the 40-inch Nickel Telescope are not wheelchair accessible at this time.
Volunteer amateur astronomers also set up ground telescopes in the back parking so guests can view additional cosmic objects.
Gift Shop
Lick Observatory souvenirs and astronomy merchandise will be available for purchase between 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.
Refreshments
Snacks and beverages will be available near the Nickel Telescope. Vending machines and fountain water are also available.
Assistance
We strive to make your visit as complete and meaningful as possible. Please let us know if you will need special assistance (for example, if you will have difficulty climbing stairs), so we can make the necessary arrangements.
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