The Central Coast Astronomical Society is thrilled to announce a special overnight field trip to the historic Mt. Wilson Observatory in Pasadena, home of the famous 60-inch and 100-inch telescopes that changed our understanding of the universe. Trip Plan Departure: Noon from San Luis Obispo on May 17th, 2026 by [Read More…]
NASA’s newest solar mission, PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere), is transforming how we understand our home in space. Launched last March from Vandenberg Space Force Base, PUNCH is a constellation of four small satellites flying together in coordinated Earth orbit to make global, 3D observations of the [Read More…]
From glowing eclipses and close planetary encounters to some of the year’s best meteor showers, 2026 is a fantastic year for skywatching on the Central Coast. Many of these events are visible right from your backyard, while others shine brightest from darker skies just a short drive away. Whether you’re [Read More…]
We are pleased to welcome Elizabeth Jeffery, Assistant Professor of Physics at California Polytechnic State University, for a talk on white dwarf stars and what they reveal about the age of stars in our galaxy. Dr. Jeffery’s research focuses on white dwarf stars — the dense remnants left behind after [Read More…]
Research Opportunity (Co-Authored Journal Publication) CCAS members are invited to participate in a rare, hands-on astronomy research opportunity focused on the discovery and characterization of new binary star systems, using data from the Gaia mission of the European Space Agency and follow-up observations from Mount Wilson Observatory. This seminar combines real [Read More…]
We are excited to welcome John Keller, Director of Fiske Planetarium and Teaching Professor of Distinction in the Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences Department at the University of Colorado Boulder. Thursday, October 16th at 7pm at 1515 Fredreicks, San Luis Obispo Dr. Keller received his PhD in Planetary Science from the [Read More…]
Let’s go star gazing for Halloween! Halloween needs more Galileos, Keplers and Sir Isaac Newtons knocking on doors and asking for sweets to remind us of the scientific discoveries that made our current understanding of the universe possible. Without scientific breakthroughs, we would still be wondering why magnets work, puzzling [Read More…]
Presented by and showcasing CCAS members Dave Majors, Paul Wilson, Corrina Jones, Jon Iverson and Christopher Caruso. Astrophotography used to require bulky equipment, technical know-how, and a lot of patience. But now, thanks to evolving technology, there’s an exciting new way to get started—smart telescopes. These compact devices combine a [Read More…]
Have you ever wanted to contribute to real astronomical research using one of the most historic telescopes in the world? This September, you can! From September 21 to 26, 2025, a unique opportunity is available for amateur astronomers, students, and science enthusiasts to participate in a five-day Astronomy Research Seminar [Read More…]
Curious about how to get the most out of your telescope (even if you don’t own one yet)? At our next Central Coast Astronomical Society meeting, Glen Smeltzer will be giving a friendly, hands-on talk about eyepieces—what they do, how they affect what you see, and how to choose the [Read More…]
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