SaddleBrooke Ranch residents viewing the comet (photo by Ben Eisenstein)
Ben Eisenstein
The SaddleBrooke Ranch Astronomy Club hosted a comet-viewing party this October, and the night sky did not disappoint! Dozens of Ranch residents gathered under the stars, guided by club members, to spot the brilliant Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS). In mid-October, this cosmic wonder was visible to the naked eye, allowing attendees to enjoy its celestial beauty firsthand. With telescopes and binoculars provided by the club, everyone got an up-close look at the comet’s nucleus and sweeping tail—a sight that sparked awe and fascination!
Mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 27, when the club will host a fascinating talk by Dr. Jessica Weber, a leading researcher from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, on the search for life and water across the solar system’s planets and moons. Dr. Weber, a chemist and astrobiologist in NASA’s Origins and Habitability Lab, specializes in pushing the boundaries of organic chemistry on worlds like Mars, Venus, and icy ocean moons. Dr. Weber is the daughter of Ranch resident Tina Weber! This unique lecture will take place at 3 p.m. in the La Mesa Room—an unmissable event for anyone curious about life beyond Earth.
The SaddleBrooke Ranch Astronomy Club, a community of stargazing enthusiasts, welcomes everyone to join. They organize Star Parties, insightful talks, and field trips, making space exploration accessible and thrilling for all. Interested in joining? Just send an email to [email protected] to be added to the club’s Google Groups mailing list.