Tag archives: observatory

Las Cumbres Observatory 19th Anniversary Announced
By Joanne A Calitri   |   April 30, 2024

Attention all space cowboys and star-trekking galaxy women!  On Star Date 77800.4, Thursday, May 2, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) is inviting the public to its 10-year anniversary celebration at its main headquarters in Goleta. The event commemorates ten years of operating their global telescope network. This is a great opportunity […]

Gas Giants Headline Star Party
By Scott Craig   |   October 24, 2023

On the heels of Saturday’s annual solar eclipse, the Westmont Observatory opens to the public with the two gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, making an appearance in the night sky Friday, October 20, beginning at sunset and lasting several hours. This month’s free stargazing event features the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch reflector, […]

LCO’s Astro on Tap Anniversary & Fund for Maui
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 5, 2023

The Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) celebrated its one-year anniversary of “Astronomy on Tap” at the M. Special Brewing Company State Street taproom, on August 24. The back patio bar was packed with scientists, astronomers, students, and budding Jedi Knights in training, some with their pets, gathered to hear the presentations by Senior Astro-data Scientist Curtis […]

Spy Saturn at Monthly Stargazing 
By Scott Craig   |   August 22, 2023

The gas giant Saturn will be the star attraction at this month’s free, public viewing Friday, August 18, beginning at about 8 pm and lasting several hours at the observatory. Stargazing at Westmont includes the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch reflector. Members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit bring their own telescopes to […]

Senior Scientist Tim Lister PhD Has Minor Planet Named After Him
By Joanne A Calitri   |   July 25, 2023

At the 14th Asteroids, Comets, Meteors Conferenceon June 18-23 held in Flagstaff, Arizona, astrophysics scientist Tim Lister PhD, who works at the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) in Goleta, was awarded for his life’s work in the field with the naming of an asteroid, also known as a minor planet, after him. The meeting, of which […]

Observatory Opens for Stargazers
By Scott Craig   |   July 25, 2023

Westmont hosts a star party of sorts on Friday, July 21, beginning about 8 pm and lasting several hours at the observatory. The college’s powerful Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch reflector, is available to the public every third Friday of month in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU). Members of the SBAU bring […]

Astronomy on Tap Is On!
By Joanne A Calitri   |   September 13, 2022

Tune in you star trekkers, gazers, and galaxy aficionados, Las Cumbres Observatory’s (LCO) Astronomy on Tap is back on the planet every month in a new location: the outside patio at M Special Taproom on State Street. The new venue allows for the Astro on Tap monthlies to be an all-ages event, while still be […]

Summer Triangle Shines from Milky Way
By Scott Craig   |   August 23, 2022

This month’s public viewing of the stars will focus on several exotic Messier objects as the summer Milky Way stretches across the sky from the northeast to the southwest. The free viewing on Friday, August 19, begins at sunset and lasts several hours at the Westmont Observatory. Face coverings are required at the event, which […]

Observatory Hosts Friday Star Party
By Scott Craig   |   July 19, 2022

It’s globular cluster season at the Westmont observatory with this month’s viewing focusing on two conglomerations containing hundreds of thousands of stars. The free, public viewing of the stars is Friday, July 15, beginning at 7 pm and lasting several hours. Face coverings will be required at the event. Westmont hosts viewings on the third […]

Stellar Night for Stargazers
By Scott Craig   |   June 21, 2022

Though the May gray wiped out last month’s public viewing, officials are counting their lucky stars and hoping for a break from June gloom for the event on Friday, June 17, at the Westmont Observatory. The free gathering, held in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, begins after sunset and lasts several hours. In […]

Stargazers to Gather to Use Powerful Keck Telescope 
By Scott Craig   |   April 19, 2022

The Westmont Observatory opens its doors to the public Friday, April 15, beginning at 7 pm and lasting several hours. Face coverings will be required at the event. Westmont hosts a free, public viewing on the third Friday of every month. Along with the college’s powerful Keck Telescope, members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit […]

Observatory Opens with Eye to the Sky
By Scott Craig   |   March 17, 2022

The Westmont Observatory opens to the public Friday, March 18, beginning at 7 pm and lasting several hours. Face coverings will be required at the event. Due to the pandemic, this is the first time in two years the observatory has been open to the public.  Westmont hosts a free, public viewing on the third […]