Jack C. Davis Observatory volunteer to lecture Saturday about inspirational place
For Omar Garza, the Mount Wilson Observatory in Southern California was his torch for becoming passionate about astronomy and cosmology.
Garza’s lifelong love of astronomy has continued at Jack C. Davis Observatory, where he has served as a volunteer for four years.
“He has been an enthusiastic participant in science outreach and astronomy programs in particular,” said Jack C. Davis Observatory Director Thomas Herring. “He is one of my go-to volunteers when I want people to get excited about the night sky.”
On Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. Garza will talk about one of his astronomy inspirations — Mount Wilson — during a lecture titled “Mount Wilson: Personal Insights” at Jack C. Davis Observatory, 2699 Van Patten Drive, on Western Nevada College’s Carson City campus.
“I love this place because it was the birth place of the science of cosmology,” Garza said. “I also love the science that was done here and being able to look through the big telescopes. The human history, how it came to be is also fascinating. “
Garza served as a telescope operator and docent at Mount Wilson for many years.
“I have a lot of inside information that people may find very interesting,” Garza said.
Mount Wilson is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, overlooking the Los Angeles Basin. It is named for Benjamin Davis Wilson, the grandfather of General George S. Patton. As the story goes, Wilson re-established an Indian trail to the summit as he searched for wood suitable to build casks. This trail eventually became a popular route for local hikers.
Today, the summit is home to the easier-to-reach Mount Wilson Observatory and its collection of historical telescopes, as well as hub for TV and radio relay broadcasting for Los Angeles.