Stargazing Features Christmas Tree Cluster

Westmont’s powerful Keck Telescope zooms in on the rings of Saturn on Friday, Dec. 19, beginning about 6 p.m. and lasting several hours at the Westmont Observatory.  In case of cloudy weather, please call the Telescope Viewing Hotline at (805) 565-6272 and check the observatory website to see if the viewing has been canceled.

Westmont hosts a stargazing event the third Friday of each month in conjunction with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, whose members bring telescopes to share.

“I warmly invite you to join us for our final viewing of 2025,” says Jennifer Gee, assistant professor of physics and director of the observatory. “Lord willing, the skies will be clear and we'll share an evening gazing at some familiar 'faces.' Saturn and Cassiopeia will be visible all night with Jupiter, Orion and the Christmas Tree Cluster joining later in the evening. We'll also be able to see my favorite, the Owl Cluster, as well as other star clusters such as the Great Star Cluster in Hercules and the Pegasus Cluster.”

Free parking is available near the observatory, which is between the baseball field and the track and field/soccer complex.