UC Observatories

06/25/2026

Introducing: Lick Observatory: Behind the Telescopes by Kaia Glickman
Astronomers who trained at Lick Observatory early in their careers are now scattered across the globe, setting new standards in their fields. Where are they now, and how did their time on the mountain shape their journey?

Next up in our conversation series, science writing intern Kaia Glickman catches up with another incredible Lick alumnus: Kaew Samaporn Tinyanont

During this fascinating conversation, they discuss his research on the dramatic lifecycles of dying stars, his journey from Lick Observatory to his current work in Thailand, and what it’s like to observe cosmic explosions.
Read the full Q&A story here:

Astronomers who trained at Lick Observatory early in their careers are now scattered across the globe, setting new standards in their fields. Lick Observatory: Behind the Telescopes by Kaia Glickman Samaporn (Kaew) Tinyanont may be Lick Observatory’s most remote alumnus. For the second conversatio...

06/12/2026

Introducing: Lick Observatory: Behind the Telescopes

Astronomers who trained at Lick Observatory early in their careers are now scattered across the globe, setting new standards in their fields. Where are they now, and how did their time on the mountain shape their journey?

To kick off this brand-new conversation series, science writing intern Kaia Glickman catches up with one of Lick’s most notable alumni: Debra Fischer!✨

During this fascinating conversation they discuss her pioneering research on extrasolar planets, her memories of the observatory, and what it’s like to hunt for worlds beyond our own.

👉 Read the full Q&A story here: https://www.ucobservatories.org/debra-fischer-discovering-worlds-by-the-hundreds/

Astronomers who trained at Lick Observatory early in their careers are now scattered across the globe, setting new standards in their fields. Lick Observatory: Behind the Telescopes by Kaia Glickman To launch a new series of conversations, science writing intern Kaia Glickman reached out to one of L...

05/29/2026

Passionate about astronomy education and workforce development? We’re hiring! The University of California Observatories (UCO) is looking for a Program Manager to lead day-to-day operations for our revered higher-education and professional programs.

If you are a master organizer who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to shape the next generation of astronomers and technical leaders, this is for you! You'll manage program logistics, coordinate instructional teams, and even have opportunities to contribute to curriculum development.

👉 Apply today to help us launch the future of astronomy education! https://www.ucsc.edu/careers/. Enter the job number 86486

05/21/2026

Huge congratulations to our friend and esteemed colleague Professor Alex Filippenko, he stated, “The Lick supernova search and my spectral studies with the Shane telescope were significant factors in my receiving the prize." He also notes, “I obtained many or most of the spectra of high-redshift Type Ia supernova candidates at W. M. Keck Observatory in the mid-1990s, leading to the Nobel-worthy discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe, driven by mysterious dark energy.” His team's supernova research continues, now in its fifth decade at Lick and fourth decade at Keck. More details can be found here:

By clarifying the differences among various types of exploding stars, Filippenko enabled them to be used to measure the expansion of the universe.

05/01/2026

A new window into the universe is opening—Soon to be installed at the W. M. Keck Observatory together we're pushing the limits of astronomy.

Staff at UC Observatories and UC Santa Cruz Science—alongside a team of more than 50 theorists, observers, instrumentalists, and engineers from over 20 institutions—have built a cutting-edge instrument designed to reveal planets we’ve never been able to see before.

Read more:

04/28/2026

These are all outstanding scientists–George Fuller for his critical work on how stars make the elements we're all composed of, Doug Lin for his pioneering research on the puzzle of how planets form, and Eric Becklin for being one of the investors of modern infrared astronomy. Seeing Eric get recognized is especially important to me–he was my PhD thesis advisor, one of the very best observational astronomers I've ever known, and started me on the road to where I am now. –Bruce Macintosh UCO Director

04/09/2026

Great opportunity to learn more about the nature of dark energy! In Santa Cruz next week? Check out UC Santa Cruz Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics Professor Alexie Leauthaud's FREE lecture at the Rio Theatre. Great dinner spots are close by!