Lick Observatory Closes After 114 mph Winds Cause Major Damage

Severe winds reaching 114 mph caused significant damage to Lick Observatory near San Jose, including the collapse of a shutter section and structural beams, leading to a temporary closure for repairs. The historic telescope remains undamaged, but its lenses and electrical systems are vulnerable to rain. The university is assessing the damage and planning restoration efforts, marking the most serious wind-related damage in the observatory's 137-year history.