Celestial Clusters in the Cosmos

This month’s stargazing event will feature several star clusters, including M18, the Black Swan Cluster in Sagittarius, on Friday, August 15, beginning about 8:30 pm and lasting several hours at the Westmont Observatory; home of the powerful Keck Telescope. The college hosts a free public viewing of the stars that lasts several hours, on the third Friday of every month at sunset.  

“Hopefully, we’ll have clear skies and be able to see the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules,” says Jennifer Gee, assistant professor of physics and director of the observatory. “I’m hoping we’ll see the Dumbbell Nebula, which is thought to be the stellar remnant of a star similar in size to our sun.”

The stargazing event is held in conjunction with members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, who bring their telescopes and celestial knowledge to share with the public.

Free parking is available near the Westmont Observatory, which is between the baseball field and the track and field/soccer complex. To enter Westmont’s campus, please use the Main Entrance off La Paz Road. The lower entrance off Cold Spring Road is closed to visitors after 7 pm. In case of overcast weather, please call the Telescope Viewing Hotline at (805) 565-6272 and check the observatory website to see if the viewing has been canceled.