A Montecito observatory is opening its doors to the public this week so people can see a nearly total lunar eclipse.
The Westmont College Observatory will begin admitting visitors at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The eclipse is expected to peak at 9:12 p.m. with 96.2% coverage.
Visitors should use the main entrance to the college off La Paz Road. Another entrance, on Cold Spring Road, is closed to the public after 7 p.m.
The observatory holds public viewing events on the third Friday of the month.
