August 27, 2016
8:00 p.m.
Performer: Golden Bough
Astronomy Speaker: Dr. Michael Gregg, UC Davis
Concert Information
Rooted in the traditional music of the seven Celtic nations (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, The Isle of Man, French Brittany, and Spanish Galicia), Golden Bough has become a popular and in-demand group on both sides of the Atlantic.
Since their formation in 1980, this trio of modern day minstrels has traveled great distances to numerous countries, to bring their music to enthusiastic folk fans the world over. Backing themselves on an array of acoustic instruments; Celtic harp, guitar, octave-mandolin, mandolin, accordion, violin, penny-whistle, and bodhran, they blend their voices in the pristine harmonies that have become a Golden Bough trademark. Visit the Golden Bough website for more information.
Lecture Information
Talk title: "Ancient Secrets of Globular Clusters"
Dr. Michael Gregg is a Research Astrophysicist in the Department of Physics at the University of California, Davis, but he spends most of his professional time at the Institute for Geophysics and Planetary Physics at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Michael started his career investigating the stellar population of relatively nearby S0 galaxies, showing that they may have evolved from spiral galaxies. This work spawned investigations of nearby galaxy clusters.
His collaboration with Michael Drinkwater (U.Queensland) on the Fornax and Virgo clusters has discovered "ultra-compact dwarfs'' the first new type of galaxy to be discovered since Edwin Hubble laid out the original galaxy classification scheme in the 1930's. With Michael West (U. Hawaii, Hilo), he is studying the remains of recently destroyed galaxies in the Coma and Centaurus clusters. Much of this nearby galaxy work is done using the Hubble Space Telescope. At the other end of the Universe, Michael searches for gravitationally lensed quasars and more exotic types of quasars nearly buried by dust or having unusual radio-emitting properties.
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
| 7:00 p.m. | Doors Open | Brief Telescope Visits |
| 8:00 p.m. | Concert, Main Hall | |
| 9:00 p.m. | Science Talk, Lecture Hall | Telescope Viewings |
| 10:00 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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