Overnight visitors at the ORALC.  Photo courtesy of Dean Salisbury.

About Events

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Star Parties at ORALC

​A “star party” is a great opportunity to experience a guided tour of the night sky.  ORAS members conduct these events at ORALC, the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center, and serve as your tour guides.  A star party experience typically begins near dusk, when visitors gather at ORALC.  An ORAS member may begin the event by making a presentation in the classroom of the David L. Jones Activity Building.  From there, it’s up the hill to the Bruce M. Bedow Memorial Observatory for an evening of amazing views through the telescopes.

Please visit our About AstroBlast page for information about our annual star party, which will be happening very soon, from August 23-28, 2022.  There's still time to register!

Star parties are family-friendly.  We encourage adults and children to participate.  There is no admission fee for these events.  No astronomy experience is necessary.  No equipment is necessary.  Simply bring your curiosity and your questions.  Attendance is to your schedule.  Stay with us for an hour or stay with us for an evening.

We recommend that you bring sufficient warm clothing with you.  It can be chilly under a clear, dark sky, even in the summer.

We also recommend that you bring a red-light flashlight with you.  It is very dark at the ORALC site, and the flashlight will be necessary when walking.  Unlike white light, red light helps preserve your (and other visitors') night vision.  You can turn any flashlight into a red light by fastening some red cellophane (several layer) over the glass, using a thick rubber band.  Red cellophane can be purchased at Walmart, JoAnn Fabric, or Lowe's (for use as a red flag when transporting lumber).  For more detailed instructions, see https://www.instructables.com/Astronomy-Hacking-a-Redlight/.

If you have a pair of binoculars or a telescope, bring it along.  You can enjoy the sky using your own equipment.

See our Events and Outreach page for our schedule of star parties.  Please note that our star parties are held weather permitting.

ORAS meetings
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ORAS members meet throughout the year to enjoy presentations and discussions on astronomy.  You are welcome to be our guest at these meetings.  Our presenters cover a wide variety of topics that may include observing techniques, optical equipment, telescope making, astrotourism, and current events in astronomy.  If you are just beginning your study of astronomy, these meetings are a great opportunity to learn from our members and presenters.

See our Events and Outreach page for our schedule of ORAS meetings and presentation topics.

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ORAS workshops
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ORAS will be offering two special workshops this summer.  The first, on June 24, will present the basics of astronomy for beginners.  The second, on July 22, will focus on night sky photography.  See our ORAS workshops page for details!