Summer Series

We engage the local community with public telescope viewings.

More than 2,400 guests visit the observatory each year for the Summer Series. Visitors have a change to view a glimpse of the stars through two historic telescopes and listen to lectures by world-renowned astronomers.

Evenings with the Stars

In this program, we invite world-renowned astronomers to Lick Observatory for an evening with the "stars" you won't forget. Due to the popularity of this program, we added an additional viewing night in September this year.

Activities include:

Astronomy talk by "star" scientists
• Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
• Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
• Fascinating history talk about Lick Observatory
• After-hours gift shop access and light refreshments
• Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers using small ground telescopes

Please note: Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place.

Music of the Spheres Concerts

In this program, we bring world musicians to the summit of Mount Hamilton for a musical night to remember. Due to the popularity of the Music of the Spheres concerts, we added a fifth act to the 2015 series.

Activities include:

• A concert
• Astronomy talk by world-renowned scientists
• Viewing through the historic 36-inch Great Lick Refractor telescope
• Viewing through the 40-inch Nickel Reflector telescope
• Astronomy discussions with amateur astronomers with small ground telescopes

Please note: Weather may restrict telescope viewings, but other activities will still take place.