Stargazers to Be Moonstruck Saturday

The public is invited to join Westmont’s astrophysics students to learn more about the moon on NASA’s International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Westmont Observatory.

“The moon is something we're so used to seeing, and it's an important part to our life here on Earth,” says Jen Ito, assistant professor of physics and director of the observatory. “There are so many amazing features about it such as its phases, craters and orbit. If you don't know much about our moon, come join us.”

The observatory will be using the powerful Keck Telescope and several other smaller telescopes as well. Guests are invited to bring their own binoculars for the lunar viewing.

The international event occurs annually in September or October when the moon is near its first quarter ― a great phase for evening observing along the terminator, the line between night and day, where shadows enhance the moon’s cratered landscape.