High atop a solitary mountain in California, the Lick Observatory rises from the rolling hills like

a temple to the stars. This mesmerizing 1890s image, taken in the early days of astrophysics, shows the domes and buildings basking under a dramatic sky — as though suspended between heaven and earth.

It was from this very mountaintop that the 1899 image of the Pleiades was captured — linking this

architectural marvel directly to a landmark moment in astronomical history.

Painstakingly reproduced from an original glass plate negative, this print preserves the grandeur of one of the first modern mountaintop observatories ever constructed. A compelling blend of historical architecture, scientific heritage, and California landscape.

Lick Observatory: A Historic First:

Location: Mount Hamilton, California, USA — elevation 4,209 feet.

Founded: Completed in 1888, the Lick Observatory was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world.

Funded by: James Lick, a wealthy patron who left funding in his will to establish a world-class scientific facility.

Importance: At the turn of the 20th century, Lick was a global leader in astrophotography and celestial spectroscopy. Astronomers here were among the first to use photography for precision star cataloging and nebula imaging.

The Crossley Reflector: A Pioneer of Deep-Sky Photography:

Origin: Originally built in England by Edward Crossley in the 1870s; donated to Lick in 1895.

Rebuilt by: James Keeler, Lick’s director, who overhauled and re-mounted it for scientific use.

Type: Reflecting telescope, 36-inch (0.91 m) aperture.

Focal length: Approximately 13.5 feet (f/4.8).

Mounting: Equatorial, motor-driven, allowing precise tracking of celestial objects over long exposures.

Significance: Among the first large reflectors to demonstrate the superiority of mirrors over lenses for deep-sky astrophotography. Its wide field and fast focal ratio made it ideal for photographing faint nebulae, clusters, and galaxies.