Join the Central Coast Astronomical Society for a beginner-friendly evening of astronomy at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Gardens.
October: The Spooky Side of the Universe
This month, we’re giving the night sky a spooky twist! We’ll hunt down some of astronomy’s most hauntingly named objects: ghostly nebulae, eerie star clusters, strange stars, and other Halloween favorites hiding across the October sky. Whether you’re brand new to astronomy or already love looking up, come see just how weird, beautiful, and a little spooky the universe can be.
Event starts at 7:00 pm. Reservations are required.
Click to reserve your spot!
Is the event FULL? You have two options:
- We do offer a limited number of tickets at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Click to register for our next event in November now to ensure your spot!
Location:
San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden
3450 Dairy Creek Road in SLO, across from Cuesta College on Hwy 1
For CCAS Members: You do NOT need a ticket to attend this event if you are volunteering to help with this event (no previous experience required). To volunteer, simply sign up and we’ll also waive your day-use fee for El Chorro by placing your name on the Park Ranger’s official list. Sign up to volunteer!
What to Expect
The evening begins at 7:00 pm with a live astronomy presentation featuring our Halloween-themed tour of the night sky. We’ll introduce some of the strange, beautiful, and wonderfully named objects we hope to observe later that evening. After the 30-minute presentation, we’ll head outside to the telescope area for guided stargazing, constellation tours, and observing through several different types of telescopes until 9:00 pm.
Through the telescopes, we’ll track down ghostly nebulae, unusual stars, eerie-looking clusters, and other celestial objects with names that fit the season perfectly. Along the way, we’ll explain what these objects really are, why they look the way they do, and where some of those spooky names came from.
Our friendly astronomers will provide telescopes and guide guests through the viewing experience. You are welcome to bring binoculars, questions, and your sense of wonder.
This program is rain or shine. If clouds roll in, we’ll move the experience indoors with engaging astronomy activities, demonstrations, and night-sky exploration. Clear skies or not, we’ll learn something new and enjoy an evening immersed in the wonders of the universe. Please arrive before 7pm to get a good seat, as these events tend to fill quickly.
Star Party Etiquette and Guidelines
To help everyone enjoy the night sky, please follow these guidelines:
- No white lights after dark (red flashlights are fine)
- No alcoholic beverages, smoking, or vaping during this event
- This program is recommended for ages 7 and older
- No pets or animals, please
Park Entry
El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 day-use fee from March through October. Please carpool when possible and have cash ready to help expedite park entry.