Bolivian-born master Andean flutist and guitarist Oscar Reynolds leads Karumanta, whose self-composed repertoire and top-notch performance are an eclectic exploration of Quechua, Aymara, and African music of Bolivia laced with flamenco, Brazilian bossanova, funk, and jazz. Perhaps best known for playing the Andean panpipes and guitar simultaneously, Oscar has received lifetime honors from the Bolivian government, California Senate and legislature, and the Arts & Culture Commission of Contra Costa County for his musical achievements and advocacy of Bolivian music throughout the world. Joining Oscar is Colombian bassist Carlos Ramirez, one of the Bay Area's most versatile bass players, and Bolivian-American percussionist Huascar Reynolds, whose polyphonic rhythms on the cajon (box drum) complete the sound. Website www.oscarreynolds.com
In the last 20 years, we have learned that planets orbit most of the stars in our galaxy. Now that we have a better understanding of planet populations, the field is moving from detecting exoplanets to characterizing them. The direct imaging technique is uniquely capable of characterizing cold planets, long-period planets, and ultimately, habitable planets around Sun-like stars. I will describe how we image exoplanets, why we image exoplanets, and where the field is heading as we develop technologies that will soon be capable of detecting bio-signatures in the atmospheres of habitable planets.
Andy Skemer is an Assistant Professor and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow in the UC Santa Cruz Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. He is leading the development of a new exoplanet imaging spectrograph for the W. M. Keck Observatory, and he is co-lead on a community effort to take the first images of exoplanets with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
Join Friends of Lick Observatory (FoLO) and Get Tickets Early
If you'd like to purchase tickets as early as noon on April 10th, 2019, join our Friends of Lick Observatory (FoLO) program by April 1st, 2019. As a thank you for supporting the observatory, you'll get special access to purchase tickets before they go on sale for the general public on April 17th at noon.
General Admission: $50
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: $199
Ticket includes private group tour of the Shane Telescope before the concert, catered buffet dinner 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.
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. Limit of four tickets per customer. Please be advised that unpredictable weather patterns may restrict telescope viewings, though lectures, concerts and other activities will still take place.
Please note: Due to safety regulations and the nature of the event, children must be at least 12 years of age for admission and accompanied by an adult.
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 road 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 the age of 12 are not allowed at this event.
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 11:30 p.m. You can also visit our Gift Shop online 24/7.
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.
If you attend an event make sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter!
Leave a review on Yelp here.