Westlake to speak about poetry, stars

National award-winner at CMC-Edwards Sept 26

Orion Rising by Jimmy Westlake — Jimmy Westlake, an astronomy and physics professor at Colorado Mountain College’s campus in Steamboat Springs, captured this image of Orion rising over the mountains east of Camp Hale, north of Leadville, on Dec. 8, 2002. Westlake will talk about “The Poets and the Stars,” and show some of his renowned astrophotographs, Sept. 26 at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. Photograph Jimmy Westlake

Some people try to capture the beauty and majesty of the starry sky with a camera or on canvas. Others try to capture it with words.

In an evening called “The Poets and the Stars,” Colorado Mountain College astronomy Professor Jimmy Westlake will present verses about the stars written by some of the world’s most beloved poets, mixed with some of his own original poems and rhymes, and illustrated by many of his original astrophotographs. This unique program will leave audience members with a renewed sense of wonder and awe about our amazing universe.

For 14 years Westlake has taught astronomy and physics at Colorado Mountain College’s campus in Steamboat Springs, and several times was named Faculty of the Year for his campus. His award-winning astrophotographs have appeared in textbooks, newspapers and websites all over the planet – including numerous times as “Picture of the Day” on NASA’s popular “Astronomy Picture of the Day” website. His image of Halley’s Comet has won several awards, including The Weather Channel’s Halley’s Comet Photo Contest in 1986. You can see Westlake’s astrophotography at www.jwestlake.com.

The Wednesday, Sept. 26, event begins at 5:30 with a wine reception, followed by Westlake’s talk at 6:15. Admission is $10, and free for members of Women in Philanthropy. Colorado Mountain College’s campus in Edwards is at 150 Miller Ranch Road. For more information, please call 569-2900.