Stargazing in SLO at the Botanical Gardens

Join us for an evening of stargazing at the SLO Botanical Garden. Explore the night sky with telescopes and guided viewing hosted by the Central Coast Astronomy Society. We’ll take a close-up look at Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, the Moon in brilliant detail, and deep-sky objects including Orion’s beautiful M42 Nebula. Whether you’re new to astronomy or a seasoned skywatcher, this is a fun and welcoming event for all ages. Reservations Required.

Address: 3450 Dairy Creek Rd, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

Arriving at the park: We highly recommend that you arrive before start time, to allow for time to check out the telescopes, talk with astronomers, and find a good seat for the star show.

Event Details:  The evening begins with a live astronomy presentation at 5:30 pm, where we will take you on a guided tour of the night sky and preview the objects we will be observing. At 6:00 pm, we head outside to the telescope area for hands-on viewing, with stargazing continuing until 8:30 pm. Our friendly astronomers will bring telescopes, you may bring binoculars and your sense of wonder.

Because the star tour sets the stage for the whole experience, we strongly encourage guests to arrive on time. The presentation helps you know what to look for and makes the telescope viewing far more meaningful. Tickets are required for this event, and space is limited. This program is rain or shine. Even if clouds roll in, we will have engaging indoor activities, demonstrations, and astronomy exploration for all ages. Whether the skies are clear or not, you will learn something new and enjoy an evening immersed in the wonders of the universe.

Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines:
We ask that everyone adhere to basic stargazing guidelines:

• No white lights after dark. Please use only the minimum red light.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at stargazing activities
• No smoking or vaping in the vicinity of the telescopes.
• Wear good shoes, we’ll be walking around in the dark on a grassy field.
• Do not bring laser pointers if you’re not operating a telescope. Prolonged use of lasers for pointing at objects in the sky is bad star party etiquette and detracts from the enjoyment of the night sky by others.