For 127 years, Lick Observatory has defined the cutting edge of astronomical research, technology development, and public education.
From the early days in 1888, forefront research continues with measurements of exploding stars, matter accreting onto billion-solar-mass black holes at the centers of galaxies, and the new Automated Planet-Finder telescope, which is dedicated to finding potentially habitable planets around the nearest stars. Lick serves astronomers from all eight UC astronomy campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, and Riverside) and two national laboratories (Lawrence Berkeley Lab and Lawrence Livermore Lab)
Learn more about specific areas of research:
- Search for Extrasolar Planets
- Adaptive Optics & Laser Guidestars
- Evolution of Stars
- Supernovae Survey to Cosmology
- Brown Dwarfs & Low-Mass Stars
- Optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence