The Lick Observatory is an astronomical research facility located on Mount Hamilton in California. Established in 1888, it was the first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory in the world. The observatory is known for its historic telescopes, including the Great Lick Refractor, which was the largest telescope in the world for many years. Today, the Lick Observatory is operated by the University of California and continues to be a center for astronomical research. It offers public outreach programs, allowing visitors to learn about astronomy and view celestial objects through its telescopes during special events.