Greetings, CCAS Friends!

I’m Aurora Lipper—yes, that’s my real name—and I’m honored to be serving as President again this year. I’m a mechanical engineer, university instructor, pilot, astronomer, and proud mom of four. 

A Bit About Me & My Gear ✨

• My current favorite telescope is my 8″ Meade LX200 “GoTo”—though I’m still learning the “GoTo” part (usually I just point it where I want!). I also have an 8″ Orion SkyView.

• I have a Coronado H‑Alpha scope, two binoculars (Orion UltraView 10×50 and a powerful set of Oberwerk  25×100 Binoculars on a solid mount).

• Since moving to a ranch in SLO County, I’ve been solar- and stargazing about an hour a week.

I joined CCAS roughly 17 years ago and have served as our newsletter editor. I once had a 1 m satellite-dish–turned–radio telescope in my backyard, I’ve launched rockets (outdoors!), and I regularly lead hands-on physics, chemistry, and astronomy workshops for local students.

What CCAS Offers

Our club includes people from all walks of life—busy soccer parents, doctors, engineers, college professors, amateur stargazers, and astrophotographers. My mission? To serve all of you.

We run a wide range of activities so you can engage however suits your interests. Love star parties but not lecture nights? No problem. Enjoy outreach but can’t squeeze in the newsletter? Totally fine too.

What’s Ahead This Year

My top priority is you, our members. Expect:

• Fun and educational astronomy talks that everyone can enjoy

• Regular Celestial Observer newsletters

• New observatory visits

• Telescope help clinics (usually an hour before our official stargazing)

• More opportunities to give input into what we offer

If there’s something you want—whether it’s a meeting topic, an activity, a star party theme—just drop me an email. Let’s make it happen.

Public Outreach

CCAS has a long history of stargazing talks and events for schools and the community. We’re committed to continuing that. Even without a telescope or science background, you can help bring wonders of the night sky to families. Volunteer via our website’s sign-up form. The feedback is always incredible and truly worth it.

Member Perks

• Quarterly Celestial Observer delivered via PDF and archived on our site

• Loaner telescopes—with instruction from friendly CCAS astronomers

Join Us at the Next Star Party!

Our upcoming star party at Santa Margarita Lake Park, starting at 8 PM—join us under dark skies just 8 miles south of Santa Margarita! Check the CCAS website calendar for dates and details.

In Closing

I’m excited to see what we can create together this year. Whether you email me, chat at a star party, or race me to the next celestial target—I’m looking forward to working with you. We make the club great, and 2025 is going to be amazing.

Clear skies!
Aurora Lipper
President, Central Coast Astronomical Society

P.S. It’s been a while since a star party visit? Come on out! We’d love to see you there.

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