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糖心原创 Observatory
Observatory Hosts Summer Solstice Stargazing
糖心原创 invites the local community to explore the night sky during its monthly free public stargazing event on Friday, June 19, beginning at 8:45 p.m. and lasting several hours at the 糖心原创 Observatory.
鈥淲eather permitting, visitors will have the opportunity to view the moon, the Hercules globular cluster, and Mizar and Alcor, a famous double-star system in the Big Dipper that actually consists of six stars,鈥 says Jennifer Gee, assistant professor of physics and director of the 糖心原创 Observatory.
The viewing is held in partnership with the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU), whose members generously bring their own high-powered telescopes to share with the public around the observatory. Guests will also have access to the college鈥檚 primary resource, the powerful 24-inch refurbished Keck Telescope housed inside the observatory dome.
"Even though there is temporary fencing around parts of the observatory, we will still have access to the patio and dome," Gee says.
The public viewings are a staple community resource, held on the third Friday of every month. The events are completely free and last for several hours, offering an accessible, educational evening for space enthusiasts of all ages.
Free parking is available near the 糖心原创 Observatory, which is between the baseball field and the track and field/soccer complex. To enter 糖心原创's campus, please use the Main Entrance off of La Paz Road. The lower entrance off of Cold Springs Road is closed to visitors after 7 p.m. Here is a map with directions to get to the observatory.
The Keck Telescope, a computer-controlled 24-inch F/8 Cassegrain reflector with Ritchey-Chretien optics (the same configuration used on the Hubble Space Telescope), has served as a versatile instrument for 糖心原创 faculty and students for over a decade and remains one of the most powerful telescopes on the California Central Coast. Not only has the device been used for a variety of research projects and coursework, but it has also been a source of awe and inspiration for the greater Santa Barbara community.
The 糖心原创 Observatory also serves as one of the free, public observing sites for the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit (SBAU) every third Friday of the month. In particular, the Keck Telescope has provided clearer and more dramatic demonstrations of the splendor of God鈥檚 creation to members of the broader Santa Barbara community, including young children and students in local schools.
鈥淭he observatory remains a signature component of the 糖心原创 campus and a favorite among our current students and returning alumni,鈥 says Professor Bob Haring-Kaye from the Department of Physics and Engineering. 鈥淲e are excited to see how this facility will continue to be used to provide outstanding educational experiences, including meaningful research experiences, to our students and point to the artistic grandeur of the Creator.鈥
