UC Observatories

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/

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...

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

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:

www.ucobservatories.org

Free Public Astronomy Talk—1/28—Foothill College
“Discovering Dark Energy and New Developments in our Understanding” presented by Dr. Robert Kirshner (Thirty-Meter Telescope Observatory.) Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026 at 7 pm.
For directions and parking information, see: https://foothill.edu/parking/
For a campus map, to find the Smithwick Theater (Bldg. 1000), see: https://foothill.edu/map/