Lick Observatory is owned and operated to benefit the astronomers of The University of California and to fulfill UCO’s mission.     UCSC has developed a “Misc Fee” structure which can allow interested external parties to use Lick Observatory’s telescopes for scientific uses.     For simple applications (using our instruments in a way consistent with current operations) the costs are listed below:

FY24 Rates per night

Non-profit rates

• Shane telescope – 4750
  • Laser operations augment – 2150
• APF telescope – 4080 (price is for 10 hours queue operations)
• Nickel telescope – 1660

Gov or other rates

• Shane telescope – 5400
  • Laser operations augment – 2500
• APF telescope – 4800 (price is for 10 hours queue operations)
• Nickel telescope – 2000

For more complicated requests (using your own instrumentation or with new operational models) please contact Deputy Director Matthew Shetrone mshetrone@ucolick.org

For a full list of other Misc Fees that are available including Public use of Lick Observatory please see the published Misc Fees page