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. 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. See Westlake's astrophotography at http://www.jwestlake.com.

Wednesday's event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a wine reception, followed by Westlake's talk at 6:15 p.m. 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, call 970-569-2900.

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Astronomy professor talks about poetry, stars in Edwards