The Westmont Observatory will be open to the public for a near total lunar eclipse Thursday, Aug. 27, beginning at 8:30 p.m. with the max eclipse set to happen at 9:12 p.m.

Members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit will also attend with telescopes to share. 

Jennifer Gee, assistant professor of physics and director of the observatory, said the eclipse will already be underway when the moon rises.

“This almost total lunar eclipse scores a 96.2% coverage which is a solid A in my grade book, and it’s predicted to still turn the moon red,” she said.

The last total lunar eclipse in the area was March 3, 2026.

The public viewings are a community resource, held the third Friday of every month.

The events are free to attend and last several hours, offering an accessible, educational evening for space enthusiasts of all ages.

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

To enter Westmont’s campus, 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.