It is not a 555. It is a Cmos LMC555 that has a max output high current of nothing when its output is at the supply voltage. Its output high current is not enough to light the LEDs directly but it can drive the transistor.A 555 can only get within 1.4V of the positive supply rail, so the output of the 555 is 7.8V max.
by Jake Hertz
by Aaron Carman
by Jake Hertz
by Don Wilcher