UC astronomers fight for future of Lick Observatory

HAMILTON, Calif. (KGO) -- Astronomers at the University of California are fighting to save the Bay Area's best known observatory.

The James Lick Observatory has been spotting stars from the top of Mt. Hamilton east of San Jose for more than a century now.

Staring into the heavens can propel young astronomers into far away worlds, and perhaps even give them a glimpse of their own futures.

"Sometimes I think about what we're actually observing. It's mind blowing," Phillip Wu said.

"The coolest thing I've ever done is help to discover an Exo-planet," Kelsey Clubb said.

For the record, that's a planet that orbits a sun other than our own. And for these students, such discoveries are made with the help of the Lick Observatory, perched in the mountains east of San Jose. The views and data from its telescopes are routed to their observation center at the University of California.

Astronomy professor Alex Filippenko, Ph.D., overseas much of the research. But lately he's spent as much time searching for something that can be nearly as hard to locate as a far-away planet, money. Filippenko says he and his fellow astronomers were stunned by a decision by U.C. administrators choosing to channel money towards access to newer, more modern telescopes.

"This is where we can do long term programs that involve students and people who are just developing their careers in science and technology," Filippenko said.

The University of California has had a facility at the Lick Observatory since it's construction on Mt. Hamilton more than a century ago.

And while it doesn't boast the powerful telescopes of competing sites like the Keck Observatory in Hawaii, Filippenko argues that better access can sometimes mean more to a budding astronomer than raw power.

"What it can do is follow things around. We can get many, many nights consecutively or over the course of a year, at Lick in order for example to look for planets orbiting other stars, or to follow how an exploding star evolves," he said.

The U.C.'s Provost Office released a statement saying, "Lick Observatory never has been on the cutting block. No one is suggesting that lick be shut down, only there be a different funding model."

For Filippenko, that's meant looking for star power, donors willing to help create a funding stream for Lick.

"I've got a number of irons in the fire. And I think a lot of people are potentially interested," Filippenko said.

In the meantime, the younger members of the Lick team continue scouring the heavens, in search of their next big discovery.

"I think the thing I like the most is that you can actually work on things that are really profound," Clubb said.

Supporters of Lick Observatory have also started a website with more on the public can help:

To find out how you can help, click here.

written and produced by Tim Didion.