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 at the Mt. Wilson Observatory—home to the very telescope that Edwin Hubble used to discover the expanding universe.
Participants will use the 60-inch telescope—one of the most powerful in its class—to observe close binary and triple star systems using speckle interferometry, a cutting-edge technique that bypasses atmospheric distortion and allows observations down to 0.2 arcseconds of separation. Working in teams that include experienced instructors, community college students, and fellow amateur astronomers, you’ll help analyze data inspired by discoveries from the Gaia space telescope, contribute to a scientific research paper, and submit it for publication.
You’ll stay at the historic Monastery on the mountain, dine at Hubble’s table, and sleep in rooms once occupied by visiting luminaries such as Albert Einstein. You’ll also take part in exclusive tours of the 60- and 100-inch telescopes, the solar observatories, and the CHARA Array—home to some of the highest-resolution optical imaging in astronomy today.
This seminar is offered through Gila Community College and the Institute for Student Astronomical Research (In4Star). Tuition for the three-credit-hour course is just $147 for participants age 55+ and $441 for those under 55, plus a $400 lab fee that includes room, board, and telescope time. (Refer to note at bottom of this post for info on how to attend this event for free!)
Since its start in 2007 as a course at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, this program has resulted in over 200 published papers coauthored by more than 700 students and mentors. It’s an inspiring blend of education, discovery, and mentorship—where everyday enthusiasts work alongside seasoned researchers to advance the field of astronomy.
For a taste of what the seminar experience is like, watch this 4-minute intro video:
To learn more or reserve your spot before registration opens (around June 23), email
We’d love to see Central Coast Astronomy members take part in this unforgettable experience! And… if you’re a CCAS officer, you can apply to have our club sponsor your spot at this event! (Hint – we do have two officer openings, please contact Aurora for details.)
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