Lick Observatory During Pandemics: 1918 and 2020

Dr. Elinor Gates (Lick Observatory)
March 10, 2021
Lick Observatory, the first continuously inhabited mountain-top observatory in the world, has been doing ground-breaking research since its opening in 1888. 30 years after Lick Observatory established itself as a leader in astronomical research, the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic hit the United States. Research, while hampered by the conditions at the time, continued with the dedicated efforts of some of the notable astronomers of the day. In 2020, the Observatory was hit by both the current pandemic and one of the worst Northern California wildfires in history. Dr. Gates discusses how astronomers today have coped with these challenges. [By the way, the public can help these efforts; go to bit.ly/lickfriends ]

[@omarnajam]

As someone who grew up in Evergreen looking up at the observatory, I can't tell you how great it is to get to watch this lecture while I'm stuck down in socal because of quarantine.

[@Brentsfriend]

FLOPS OF THE GREAT RESET 2021
1. Kevin Smith's He-Man (TEELA)
2. In the Heights (LATINEX HATE...IT!!!!)
3. LOKI
4. Falcon/Winter Soldier
5. Cruella
6. WandaVision

[@chrisstrobel3439]

So what’s the purpose of looking for and finding super nova’s? How will this help us on earth?

[@maxstreim4612]

It’s cool as fuck that’s enough for me

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

come on...no trolling please , you know the answer.. nobody is that dumb....ah are you american?

[@chrisstrobel3439]

Wim V Actually I don’t know the answer to that, I’ve watched a few astronomy documentaries and they never touch on the actual benefit, and what’s with the racist question .. is that even legal on RUclips these days?

[@jabatheshort660]

@@chrisstrobel3439 not sure where these guys came from… this should be a inviting open community I’m sad,
But to answer your question, super nova, along with quasars can be seen from very far away while staying relatively static in space, compared to like a orbiting planet or interstellar object which wouldn’t be stationary. So you can end up mapping these bright stationary objects out and using it to triangulate positions in space like a 3D GPS

[@thetawaves48]

A familiar voice for KQED listeners.