Keck Telescope to Miss Friday Star Party

The powerful Keck Telescope remains under repair, but the public viewing of the stars will continue Friday, June 15, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and lasting several hours at the Westmont Observatory. Smaller telescopes will be provided by Westmont and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit.

The Westmont Observatory opens its doors to the public every third Friday of the month. The Keck Telescope is housed in the observatory between Russell Carr Field and the track and field/soccer complex. Free parking is available near the baseball field.

The telescope, which began having problems in February, needs a new computer, drivers and other equipment installed that will cost about $34,000. Ken Kihlstrom, Westmont professor of physics, says a borrowed computer has not worked either and the new equipment could take several months to arrive and install.