Star Party at Santa Margarita Lake Park
2024-03-09 19:00 - 20:00, 2024-04-06 19:00, 2024-05-04 20:00, 2024-07-06 20:00, 2024-08-03 20:00, 2024-09-07 20:00, 2024-10-05 20:00, 2024-11-02 19:00 - 23:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Margarita Lake Park, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453
Our star parties are open to the public and held on the weekend closest to the new moon (when possible) and in conjunction with certain holidays.
Location:
Our stargazing site is located in the parking lot of the marina and boat launch at Santa Margarita Lake Park (SMLP). The park is approximately 8 miles south of the town of Santa Margarita, off of Pozo Road.
Address: 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA 93453.
Please see their website for more information on the park: slocountyparks.com/camp/santa-margarita-lake/
Arriving at the park:
We highly recommend that you arrive before dark!
Once you arrive at the park entrance kiosk, inform the Ranger that you are a CCAS member arriving for our ”Star Party”. You will be given access at no charge (providing your arrival time is reasonably close to sunset.) Ask for directions or simply proceed straight ahead and down the hill 1/4 mile to where the road flattens out at the very wide marina parking lot entrance. Our star party will be located at the parking lot of the marina and boat launch.
Telescope area:
The telescope area is at the south end of the parking lot beyond the San Luis Rowing Club building.
Telescope operators: Please park vehicles in two rows, ensuring that a clear lane remains open on either side of the equipment & vehicles.
Attendees not setting up telescopes: Please park in the northern half of the parking lot
with headlights facing towards the parking lot exit and away from the telescope zone.
Groups: If you have a group of eight or more people, instead of attending a star party, please consider Contacting Us to arrange a custom outreach event.
Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines:
We ask that everyone adhere to some basic CCAS and SLO County Parks Department guidelines:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at CCAS stargazing activities
No smoking or vaping in the vicinity of the telescopes. Park rules prohibit smoking within 30 feet of any structure, parked boat, trailer, or RV. Fire danger due to dry vegetation can be extreme. Smoking materials must be completely extinguished and safely disposed of in a proper receptacle.
It is imperative to avoid trip hazards around the telescopes and adjacent areas. Please stow loading ramps and equipment cases inside your vehicle or under tables and tripods. For the safety of your equipment and park visitors, we recommend marking tripod feet with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark tape or subtle red illumination.
No white lights after dark. Please use only the minimum dim red light necessary for safety or equipment adjustment. Computer screens should be covered with a red filter or completely shielded on all sides within a box-like housing.
Please use laser pointers sparingly. Never point a laser at the ground, a person, or an aircraft. Prolonged use of lasers for pointing at objects in the sky or aiming optical equipment is bad star party etiquette and detracts from the enjoyment of the night sky by others.

In-Person Club Meeting
2024-04-18 19:00 - 21:00 | United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 93405, United States
Speaker TDB

Virtual Stargazing Live Stream
2024-05-10 21:00 - 22:00 | YouTube Live Stream

Cancelled - Star Party at Santa Margarita Lake Park
2024-06-08 20:00 | Santa Margarita Lake Park, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453

In-Person Club Meeting
2024-07-18 19:00 | United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 93405, United States
Speaker TBD

Star Party at Santa Margarita Lake Park
2024-08-31 20:30 - 23:30

In-Person Club Meeting
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 93405, United States
Time: 7PM
Location:
United Methodist Church
Wesley Room
1515 Fredricks Street
San Luis Obsipo, CA 93405
Main Topic: Blazars, the Most Energetic Particle Accelerators in the Universe, by Jodi Christiansen
Description:
Most galaxies harbor a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at their core. Although black holes by themselves do not radiate light, and cannot be seen by any telescope, many of these SMBH collect material around them that creates extreme environments. This material typically forms an accretion disk and a jet of particles. When the jet of particles is tipped toward the earth, astronomers call it a Blazar. The particles in the jet radiate light at all wavelengths.
In this talk, Dr. Jodi Christiansen will outline the formation of a supermassive black hole and their extreme environment. She will then talk about the telescopes needed to measure all the wavelengths, including the VERITAS telescope which she worked on in Arizona. By combining the results from all of the telescopes, we are able to measure the physical properties of the jets.
Biography:
Dr. Jodi Christiansen received her bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvey Mudd College and her PhD from the University of Wisconsin where she specialized in Experimental High Energy Particle Physics. She then accepted post-doctoral positions at Brandeis University (1993-1998) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (1999-2005). During her second post-doctoral position, she concentrated on several astroparticle experiments, including AMANDA and SNAP. For the past 18 years, she has been a professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo working in gamma-ray astronomy with the VERITAS collaboration. She likes to hike, swim, and play the violin. She has also begun to dabble in amateur astronomy.
Directions:
When you pull into the first driveway for this address, stay to the right at the Y-intersection of the driveway and follow it down to the lower parking lot. You will see Astronomy signs and people directing you up a flight of stairs and into the room.
(If you get lost, circle around the buildings until you see the Astronomy signs for CCAS.)
This meeting is in-person only and will not be recorded or live-streamed.
Light refreshments will be available.
Please Contact Us if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing you there!

**Cancelled**Star Party at Santa Margarita Lake Park
2024-11-30 19:00 - 23:00 | Santa Margarita Lake Park, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453
This event has been cancelled due to weather.
Our star parties are open to the public and held on the weekend closest to the new moon (when possible) and in conjunction with certain holidays.
Location:
Our stargazing site is located in the parking lot of the marina and boat launch at Santa Margarita Lake Park (SMLP). The park is approximately 8 miles south of the town of Santa Margarita, off of Pozo Road.
Address: 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA 93453.
Please see their website for more information on the park: slocountyparks.com/camp/santa-margarita-lake/
Arriving at the park:
We highly recommend that you arrive before dark!
Once you arrive at the park entrance kiosk, inform the Ranger that you are a CCAS member arriving for our ”Star Party”. You will be given access at no charge (providing your arrival time is reasonably close to sunset.) Ask for directions or simply proceed straight ahead and down the hill 1/4 mile to where the road flattens out at the very wide marina parking lot entrance. Our star party will be located at the parking lot of the marina and boat launch.
Telescope area:
The telescope area is at the south end of the parking lot beyond the San Luis Rowing Club building.
Telescope operators: Please park vehicles in two rows, ensuring that a clear lane remains open on either side of the equipment & vehicles.
Attendees not setting up telescopes: Please park in the northern half of the parking lot
with headlights facing towards the parking lot exit and away from the telescope zone.
Groups: If you have a group of eight or more people, instead of attending a star party, please consider Contacting Us to arrange a custom outreach event.
Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines:
We ask that everyone adhere to some basic CCAS and SLO County Parks Department guidelines:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at CCAS stargazing activities
No smoking or vaping in the vicinity of the telescopes. Park rules prohibit smoking within 30 feet of any structure, parked boat, trailer, or RV. Fire danger due to dry vegetation can be extreme. Smoking materials must be completely extinguished and safely disposed of in a proper receptacle.
It is imperative to avoid trip hazards around the telescopes and adjacent areas. Please stow loading ramps and equipment cases inside your vehicle or under tables and tripods. For the safety of your equipment and park visitors, we recommend marking tripod feet with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark tape or subtle red illumination.
No white lights after dark. Please use only the minimum dim red light necessary for safety or equipment adjustment. Computer screens should be covered with a red filter or completely shielded on all sides within a box-like housing.
Please use laser pointers sparingly. Never point a laser at the ground, a person, or an aircraft. Prolonged use of lasers for pointing at objects in the sky or aiming optical equipment is bad star party etiquette and detracts from the enjoyment of the night sky by others.

Star Party - Santa Margarita Lake Park
2025-01-04 17:00
Our stargazing site is located in the parking lot of the marina and boat launch at Santa Margarita Lake Park (SMLP). The park is approximately 8 miles south of the town of Santa Margarita, off of Pozo Road.
Address: 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA 93453.
Please see their website for more information on the park: slocountyparks.com/camp/santa-margarita-lake/
Arriving at the park:
We highly recommend that you arrive before dark!
Once you arrive at the park entrance kiosk, inform the Ranger that you are a CCAS member arriving for our ”Star Party”. You will be given access at no charge (providing your arrival time is reasonably close to sunset.) Ask for directions or simply proceed straight ahead and down the hill 1/4 mile to where the road flattens out at the very wide marina parking lot entrance. Our star party will be located at the parking lot of the marina and boat launch.
Telescope area:
The telescope area is at the south end of the parking lot beyond the San Luis Rowing Club building.
Telescope operators: Please park vehicles in two rows, ensuring that a clear lane remains open on either side of the equipment & vehicles.
Attendees not setting up telescopes: Please park in the northern half of the parking lot
with headlights facing towards the parking lot exit and away from the telescope zone.
Groups: If you have a group of eight or more people, instead of attending a star party, please consider Contacting Us to arrange a custom outreach event.
Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines:
We ask that everyone adhere to some basic CCAS and SLO County Parks Department guidelines:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at CCAS stargazing activities
No smoking or vaping in the vicinity of the telescopes. Park rules prohibit smoking within 30 feet of any structure, parked boat, trailer, or RV. Fire danger due to dry vegetation can be extreme. Smoking materials must be completely extinguished and safely disposed of in a proper receptacle.
It is imperative to avoid trip hazards around the telescopes and adjacent areas. Please stow loading ramps and equipment cases inside your vehicle or under tables and tripods. For the safety of your equipment and park visitors, we recommend marking tripod feet with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark tape or subtle red illumination.
No white lights after dark. Please use only the minimum dim red light necessary for safety or equipment adjustment. Computer screens should be covered with a red filter or completely shielded on all sides within a box-like housing.
Please use laser pointers sparingly. Never point a laser at the ground, a person, or an aircraft. Prolonged use of lasers for pointing at objects in the sky or aiming optical equipment is bad star party etiquette and detracts from the enjoyment of the night sky by others.

**Canceled** Star Party – Santa Margarita Lake Park
2025-02-01 17:30 | Santa Margarita Lake Park, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453
This event has been canceled due to weather.
Our star parties are open to the public and held on the weekend closest to the new moon (when possible) and in conjunction with certain holidays.
Location:
Our stargazing site is located in the parking lot of the marina and boat launch at Santa Margarita Lake Park (SMLP). The park is approximately 8 miles south of the town of Santa Margarita, off of Pozo Road.
Address: 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA 93453.
Please see their website for more information on the park: slocountyparks.com/camp/santa-margarita-lake/
Arriving at the park:
We highly recommend that you arrive before dark!
Once you arrive at the park entrance kiosk, inform the Ranger that you are a CCAS member arriving for our ”Star Party”. You will be given access at no charge (providing your arrival time is reasonably close to sunset.) Ask for directions or simply proceed straight ahead and down the hill 1/4 mile to where the road flattens out at the very wide marina parking lot entrance. Our star party will be located at the parking lot of the marina and boat launch.
Telescope area:
The telescope area is at the south end of the parking lot beyond the San Luis Rowing Club building.
Telescope operators: Please park vehicles in two rows, ensuring that a clear lane remains open on either side of the equipment & vehicles.
Attendees not setting up telescopes: Please park in the northern half of the parking lot
with headlights facing towards the parking lot exit and away from the telescope zone.
Groups: If you have a group of eight or more people, instead of attending a star party, please consider Contacting Us to arrange a custom outreach event.
Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines:
We ask that everyone adhere to some basic CCAS and SLO County Parks Department guidelines:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at CCAS stargazing activities
No smoking or vaping in the vicinity of the telescopes. Park rules prohibit smoking within 30 feet of any structure, parked boat, trailer, or RV. Fire danger due to dry vegetation can be extreme. Smoking materials must be completely extinguished and safely disposed of in a proper receptacle.
It is imperative to avoid trip hazards around the telescopes and adjacent areas. Please stow loading ramps and equipment cases inside your vehicle or under tables and tripods. For the safety of your equipment and park visitors, we recommend marking tripod feet with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark tape or subtle red illumination.
No white lights after dark. Please use only the minimum dim red light necessary for safety or equipment adjustment. Computer screens should be covered with a red filter or completely shielded on all sides within a box-like housing.
Please use laser pointers sparingly. Never point a laser at the ground, a person, or an aircraft. Prolonged use of lasers for pointing at objects in the sky or aiming optical equipment is bad star party etiquette and detracts from the enjoyment of the night sky by others.

**Canceled** Star Party – Santa Margarita Lake Park
2025-03-01 18:00, 2025-03-29 19:00, 2025-04-26 19:30 | Santa Margarita Lake Park, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453
This event has been canceled due to weather.
Our stargazing site is located in the parking lot of the marina and boat launch at Santa Margarita Lake Park (SMLP). The park is approximately 8 miles south of the town of Santa Margarita, off of Pozo Road.
Address: 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA 93453.
Please see their website for more information on the park: slocountyparks.com/camp/santa-margarita-lake/
Arriving at the park:
We highly recommend that you arrive before dark!
Once you arrive at the park entrance kiosk, inform the Ranger that you are a CCAS member arriving for our ”Star Party”. You will be given access at no charge (providing your arrival time is reasonably close to sunset.) Ask for directions or simply proceed straight ahead and down the hill 1/4 mile to where the road flattens out at the very wide marina parking lot entrance. Our star party will be located at the parking lot of the marina and boat launch.
Telescope area:
The telescope area is at the south end of the parking lot beyond the San Luis Rowing Club building.
Telescope operators: Please park vehicles in two rows, ensuring that a clear lane remains open on either side of the equipment & vehicles.
Attendees not setting up telescopes: Please park in the northern half of the parking lot
with headlights facing towards the parking lot exit and away from the telescope zone.
Groups: If you have a group of eight or more people, instead of attending a star party, please consider Contacting Us to arrange a custom outreach event.
Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines:
We ask that everyone adhere to some basic CCAS and SLO County Parks Department guidelines:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at CCAS stargazing activities
No smoking or vaping in the vicinity of the telescopes. Park rules prohibit smoking within 30 feet of any structure, parked boat, trailer, or RV. Fire danger due to dry vegetation can be extreme. Smoking materials must be completely extinguished and safely disposed of in a proper receptacle.
It is imperative to avoid trip hazards around the telescopes and adjacent areas. Please stow loading ramps and equipment cases inside your vehicle or under tables and tripods. For the safety of your equipment and park visitors, we recommend marking tripod feet with glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark tape or subtle red illumination.
No white lights after dark. Please use only the minimum dim red light necessary for safety or equipment adjustment. Computer screens should be covered with a red filter or completely shielded on all sides within a box-like housing.
Please use laser pointers sparingly. Never point a laser at the ground, a person, or an aircraft. Prolonged use of lasers for pointing at objects in the sky or aiming optical equipment is bad star party etiquette and detracts from the enjoyment of the night sky by others.

Star Party – Santa Margarita Lake Park
2025-05-24 19:00, 2025-06-28 19:00, 2025-07-26 19:00, 2025-08-23 19:00, 2025-09-20 18:00, 2025-10-18 18:00, 2025-12-13 17:00 | Santa Margarita Lake Park, 4695 Santa Margarita Lake Road, Santa Margarita, CA, 93453

Shadows in Space: Exploring Trojan Asteroids with John Keller
2025-10-16 19:00 - 20:30 | United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 93405, United States
We’re thrilled to host Dr. John Keller, Director of Fiske Planetarium at CU Boulder, for a special talk on how stellar occultations reveal the hidden secrets of Trojan asteroids. He’ll also share highlights from Science through Shadows, a NASA project on eclipses, transits, and the PUNCH Mission.

CCAS Holiday Astronomy Party!
2025-12-11 19:00 - 21:00 | United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 93405, United States
✨ Event Details✨
Date: Thursday, December 11Time: 7:00 – 9:00 pmLocation: 1515 Frederick’s in San Luis ObispoOpen to CCAS members and their family (adults only, please)
This year we’ll celebrate with:

A massive astronomy book giveaway for club members!
A raffle with astronomy equipment prizes
A Swap & Share Table — bring astronomy gear you no longer use, and exchange or donate it so others can enjoy it
A community potluck with food & beverages (appetizers, desserts, and drinks!)
A showcase of members’ astrophotography images
Seestar telescope demos — bring yours if you’d like to image on site!

We’d love to see you there!
Please RSVP here for the CCAS Holiday Party!

Exploring White Dwarfs with Dr. Elizabeth Jeffery on January 15th
2026-01-15 19:00 - 21:00 | United Methodist Church, 1515 Fredericks Street, San Luis Obispo, 93405, United States
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Elizabeth Jeffery, Associate Professor of Physics at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she teaches astronomy and astrophysics and mentors students in hands-on observational research.
Thursday, January 15th at 7pmat 1515 Fredericks, San Luis Obispo
Dr. Elizabeth Jeffery is an astronomer and teaches physics and astronomy classes at Cal Poly. She completed her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. Following graduate school she was a post doc researcher at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. She has used telescopes in Texas, Arizona, Chile, and the Hubble Space Telescope to accomplish her research of studying the evolution and fundamental properties of stars. In her free time she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and three children.
This will be a fascinating evening for anyone curious about how stars live and die, how astronomers decode starlight, or how Cal Poly students are contributing to active astrophysical research. All are welcome to attend.
