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Community Gathers for Celestial Showcase

Westmont opens its observatory and powerful Keck Telescope for this month’s free public stargazing event Friday, July 18, beginning at


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Westmont opens its observatory and powerful Keck Telescope for this month’s free public stargazing event Friday, July 18, beginning at 8:30 p.m. and lasting several hours. This month will be another chance to see Mizar, the middle star in the Big Dipper’s handle, and Alcor, the two stars that are actually six. “As we move through summer and into fall, these two will be harder and harder to see as they move below the horizon in the evenings, so come out and take a look if you haven't seen them yet,” says Jennifer Gee, assistant professor of physics and director of the Westmont Observatory.

Westmont hosts a free, public viewing on the third Friday of every month with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit, whose members bring their telescopes to share with the public.