University of California Observatories

UCO Mission

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit of the University of California, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of the astronomers at all ten UC campuses and is comprised of extensive technical facilities, a business office, telescope and support facilities at the Lick Observatory on Mt Hamilton and a staff of astronomers. View full UCO Mission Statement.

UCO Operates

Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, conducting both research and public programs
UCO Technical Labs, located at UCSC, designing and fabricating state-of-the-art instrumentation for observatories throughout the world

UCO Collaborates

As managing partner of W.M. Keck Observatory
On large-scale multi-institutional projects such as the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) and Center for Adaptive Optics (CfAO)

UCO News & Events

UCO Newsletter from Director Mike Bolte

In the recently published paper “Science Impact of Astronomy PhD-Granting Departments in the US,” UC Santa Cruz was ranked #1 in impact of published work over the past 10 years considering the facility as a whole including Centers and Laboratories. UC Santa Cruz was ranked #2 in impact of the published work by tenured and tenured track Astronomy & Astrophysics faculty. Finally, in analysis of impact of departments in combination with universities as a whole, UC Santa Cruz is one of three Universities ranking in the top quartile, publishing over 1000 papers in a decade. [More] [Read paper]

Chris Wright Memorial, September 4, 2008
photo gallery online

Donald E. Osterbrock Memorial Symposium photo gallery online

Keck Science Meeting 2008
photo gallery online

Contacts & Credits

Please email webeditor@ucolick.org before reusing photos from this website.

Background image: Hubble Ultra Deep Field, courtesy of STScI & NASA.

Thirty Meter Telescope: Rendering of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) , so called because the primary mirror will be 30 meters in diameter, divided into 492 individually controlled sections. UCO is a partner in the design and building TMT, which will be the most technically advanced telescope in the world with observational powers many times greater than any available today, capable of direct imaging of extrasolar planets. Note the laser beam, part of the advanced adaptive optics system. [More]

Awards & Accolades

CfAO Director & UCSC professor Claire Max was awarded Princeton's Madison Medal, a top honor for alumni. Her pioneering work in adaptive optics (AO) revolutionized earth based telescopes, resulting in clearer observation and imaging. She now uses AO to study merging black holes in galactic centers. [More]

Astronomy & Astrophysics professor Douglas Lin has just received an Outstanding Faculty Award for 2007-08. This award honors excellence in research, teaching, and service. [More]

UCSC astrophysicist Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz wins prestigious Packard Fellowship. awarded to support young scientists and engineers who show exceptional promise and creativity. [More]

UCSC professor and CfAO Director Claire Max elected to National Academy of Sciences. for her many contributions to plasma physics, astronomy, and astronomical instrumentation. Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist or engineer. [More]

More Awards & Accolades