The Future of Night is a fun and educational family event. There will be remarkable deep space photos shown on a 135” movie screen and two outstanding speakers: Dr. Sandy Seale, Director of Development at Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) in Goleta and Jim Bean, engineer from NASA’s JPL.

Dr. Seale will discuss LCO’s part in the design and interpretation of data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, telescope, and the world’s largest digital camera. LCO owns 25 remote controlled telescopes around the world and boasts, “Our bold programs deliver interdisciplinary resources and inclusive collaboration to accelerate transformative scientific breakthroughs…. that no single individual or institution could do alone.”

Jim Bean designed mobility systems for the Mars Rovers. Currently he is the Engineering Management System Product Lead and the Oracle functional expert. Jim will share his firsthand knowledge about habitable exoplanets, potential life on Mars and inner workings of JPL.

Central Coast and Cal Poly Astronomical Society members will share their high-powered telescopes under a clear fall sky.

Refreshments will include local wines. A silent auction will feature space-related gifts and dine-out gift certificates. Event profits will go toward retrofitting public lighting and pay for the Dark Sky certification process.