Stargazing Feature Highlights Saturn, Moon and Owl Cluster

Saturn, a first-quarter moon and the distant Owl Cluster take center stage during Westmont’s free monthly public viewing on Friday, Oct. 16, starting at 7 p.m. at the Westmont Observatory.

This month’s viewing coincides with Westmont’s Homecoming weekend, bringing alumni, students and Santa Barbara neighbors together for an evening under the stars. Special guest Professor Emeritus Ken Kihlstrom will join the observatory team alongside amateur astronomers from the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.

Attendees will observe the ringed planet Saturn high in the night sky through the college’s powerful 24-inch Keck Telescope, one of the largest public-use telescopes on the Central Coast. SBAU members will also set up specialized telescopes around the observatory, giving visitors multiple views of deep-sky objects and brilliant star clusters.

“Come out to see what stars, galaxies and nebulae we get to see that declare the glory of our Creator God,” says Jennifer Gee, an astrophysics professor who directs the observatory.

The event is free and open to the public, lasting several hours after sunset. Free parking is available near the Westmont Observatory, located between the baseball field and the track and field/soccer complex. 

In case of cloudy skies, visitors should call the Telescope Viewing Hotline at (805) 565-6272 or check the observatory website to confirm whether the viewing has been canceled.