WHAT: Rio Hondo College will host a free evening of star, planet and galaxy gazing for guests at its Gordon D. Crowell Astrophysical Observatory, which houses one of the largest telescopes open to the public on a regular basis.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 4

WHERE: Rio Hondo College Gordon D. Crowell Astrophysical Observatory, 3600 Workman Mill Road in Whittier

DETAILS: Visitors should meet in the Rio Hondo College Child Development Center parking lot 15 to 20 minutes before the start time. Viewing nights are contingent on clear weather. The Crowell Observatory opened in 1972. It currently houses a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.