Google Donates $1 Million to Lick Observatory

Google has donated $1 million to a 125-year-old research observatory located east of San Jose.

The Mercury News reported Monday that the gift will pay day-to-day operating expenses of the historic Lick Observatory atop Mount Hamilton.

Some of the money will be used to hire another operator for the Shane three-meter telescope, which periodically closes due to staff shortages.

Google's donation represents about one-quarter of the observatory's annual budget, augmenting the $1.5 million the University of California gives each year.

Lick was established in 1888 and is used by astronomers and students to conduct research and test next-generation technologies.

Its astronomers have discovered asteroids, moons of Jupiter and planets outside our solar system.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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