Star Party 2010

Pre Registration - Register by Saturday July 31 and SAVE 25%

Click here for printable registration form!

ASTROBLAST 2010 will take place August 10 - 15

ABOUT ASTROBLAST...

ASTROBLAST is an annual event, first held in June 1994, by the Oil Region Astronomical Society. Our organization is blessed with a remote "dark sky" site located far from the light pollution of large urban areas. The event is held in a large field surrounding our observatory known as Lockwood Group Campground at Venango County's Two Mile Run Park, near Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Astroblast is a regional gathering of amateur astronomers and those interested from the general public. Lectures, information and educational sessions, and dark-sky observing are all a part of our annual Star Party. The event is open to registered participants only. On-site registration will be available during the event. Newcomers are welcome to attend.


Observatory Grounds

Participants are invited to bring their own telescopes or binoculars. Everyone attending is expected to abide by the following general rules:

  • If you need a flashlight, please use a red lens or lamp, or tape red cellophane over the lens.
  • Participant parking for anyone leaving during dark hours will be located adjacent to the main entrance gate. Please park with headlights facing away from the observatory.
  • There will be no vehicle entry or exit allowed from the camping area after dark.
  • Park rules prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on site.
  • Please be courteous to other participants and don't touch anyone elses equipment without their permission.


    • Astroblast 2010 will be held August 10 - 15!

    ASTROBLAST 2010 VENDORS (as of June 25th)

    Additional Door Prizes will be Listed Soon!

    SkyStones - donated a variety of meteorite samples and items ($450.00 value)

    Skies Unlimited - donated a 18mm Explore Scientific eyepiece ($200 value)

    PIXSOFT Inc. - donated a StarGPS Mouse Receiver ($150.00 value)

    JMI Telescopes - donated a JMI Soft Carrying Case (CASE3811C) ($90.00 value)

    Royal Astronomical Society of Canada - donated an Observer's Handbook and an Observer's Calendar ($45.00 value)

    - donated a Agena AstroProducts Enhanced Wide Angle 9mm Eyepiece ($40.00 Value)

    ProtoStar Telescope Making & Upgrading - donated 80" X 30" Black Flocked Paper Telescope Baffling Material ($40.00 value)

    ORAS Inc. - donated two Galileo Telescope Kits ($40.00 value)

    Bob's Knobs - donated a set of Collimation Thumbscrews ($30.00 value)


    Astroblast 2010 will be held August 10 - 15


    Special Features for Astroblast 2010!!

    **Galileoscope Workshop - construct a telescope similar to what Galileo used to observe the moons of Jupiter! Check out the details of the telescope you will be building at https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/.

    **Opportunity to use an robotic telescope in Perth Australia!

    **Saturday Morning Nature Hike.

    **Astronomy Yard Sale - Bring all those items you don't use any more and take a few extra bucks home with you!

    **Free High Speed Wireless Internet Access is NOW AVAILABLE at the Observatory site!!

    TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

    SCHEDULE

    SHOWER ACCESS - Showers are available in the main Park Campground and may be used by those attending Astroblast. The showers are within 5 minutes of the Observatory site. Limited electricity, water, drinks and snacks will be available throughout the night.

    Tuesday, August 10

    7:00 PM Register at Observatory

    9:30 PM - ??? Dark Sky Observing

    11:00 PM Gate closes (Anyone not staying overnight must leave or move their vehicle outside the gate.)

    Wednesday, August 11

    7:00 PM Register at Observatory

    8:00 PM Getting Started in Astronomy - Beginners Night (Mr. John O'Hara & Ms. Danielle Yeager, Oil Region Astronomical Society) ** NOTE: Bring your binoculars and telescopes if you have them! **

    9:30 PM - ??? Dark Sky Observing

    11:00 PM Gate closes (Anyone not staying overnight must leave or move their vehicle outside the gate.)

    Thursday, August 12

    7:00 PM Register at Observatory

    9:30 PM - ??? Dark Sky Observing

    11:00 PM Gate closes (Anyone not staying overnight must leave or move their vehicle outside the gate.)

    Friday, August 13

    NOTE: Moon sets at 10:01 PM and Sun sets at 8:21 PM

    3:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Astroblast On-Site Registration

    5:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Welcome to Astroblast and Event Logistics

    5:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Food Tent Open

    6:00 PM - 6:45 PM - 2012: Fact vs. Fiction (Dr. Patrick Durrell, Youngstown State University - Ohio)

    7:00 PM - 7:45 PM - Astronomy Software and Online Resources Round Table Discussion. Please come share your favorite software and online astronomy resources with everyone. (Moderated by Ms. Danielle Yeager, Oil Region Astronomical Society)

    8:00 PM - 8:45 PM - CCD Imaging Round Table Discussion - Come share and learn new tricks of the trade. This will be an open forum where individuals can share imaging and image processing techniques. Computer and projector will be available. So PLEASE come share your best work!

    9:30 PM **Messier Marathon 1** Pick up your form at the Registration Table

    9:30 PM - ??? - Dark Sky Observing

    11:00 PM Gate closes (Anyone not staying overnight must leave or move their vehicle outside the gate.)

    Saturday, August 14

    NOTE: Moon sets at 10:33 PM and Sun sets at 8:19 PM

    9:00 AM - 8:00 PM - Food Tent Open

    9:00 AM - 10:00 PM - Astroblast On-Site Registration

    9:30 AM - 10:30 AM - Nature Walk & Talk (Dr. Bruce Smith, Clarion University of PA)

    10:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Astronomy Yard Sale - Bring all that extra stuff that's been collecting dust and make a few bucks!!

    11:00 AM - 11:45 AM - Cosmic Convention (Mr. Eric Fisher - Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania)

    12:00 PM - 12:45 PM - The Art of Collecting Meteorites (Mr. Dave Holden – Sky Stones)

    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM - The Galactic Habitable Zone - Updated (Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, Associate Professor of Physics, Grove City College - Pennsylvania )

    2:00 PM - 2:45 PM - A Proof that Space Expands (Dr. Andrew Zentner, Assistant Professor Physics & Astronomy, University of Pittsburgh - Pennsylvania )

    3:00 PM - 3:45 PM - New Eyes on the Sky: The Kepler, Herschel, Planck, WISE, SOFIA, and Fermi Telescopes (Dr. Varoujan Gorjian, Spitzer Science Center - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - California)

    4:00 PM - 4:45 PM - Remote Astronomy, an Amateur's Project with Linux. (Mr. Dan Holler, Oil Region Astronomical Society)

    5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Galileoscope Workshop. Construct and take home a telescope similar to what Galileo used to first observe the moons of Jupiter. The cost of the workshop is $20 per person and includes the telescope kit. Check out the details of the telescope you will be building at https://www.galileoscope.org/gs/. (Mr. Tim Spuck, Oil Region Astronomical Society)

    6:15 PM - 7:15 PM - ** Pizza Party ($6 Adults $4 Kids) and Door Prize Drawing **

    7:30 PM - 8:15 PM - Rediscover Simple Observing. (Mr. Phil Tramdack, Oil Region Astronomical Society )

    9:00 PM **Messier Marathon 2** Pick up your form at the Registration Table

    9:30 PM - ??? - Dark Sky Observing

    11:00 PM Gate closes (Anyone not staying overnight must leave or move their vehicle outside the gate.)

    Sunday, August 15

    9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Food Tent Open

    10:00 AM - Messier Marathon Winners Announced

    12:00 PM - Astroblast 2010 Ends

    Places to stay and things to do in the area . . .


    OPTION #1: Those attending Astroblast have a number of overnight options. First you can camp out overnight at the Observatory site. The Observatory site (where Astroblast takes place) has a large 13 acre field where most Astroblast participants set up camp (either tent or trailer) and their telescopes. Water for cleaning purposes only is available. There is no electricity, unless you tap into the Observatory itself, but showers are available within a 5 minute drive at the main Park Campgrounds.

    OPTION #2: Those attending Astroblast who want more modern accommodations may want to stay in the campgrounds or in one of the cottages/houses available within Two Mile Run County Park. You can check out the availability of accommodations at http://www.twomilerun.net or call them at 814-676-6116.

    Check out the following websites for more information on places to stay and things to do . . .

    **Visit the Franklin Chamber of Commerce at http://www.franklin-pa.org/ **

    **Visit the Oil Region Alliance at http://www.oilregion.org/ **

    How to find us...

    The Oil Region Astronomical Observatory is located in Venango County's picturesque Two Mile Run County Park. The observatory is located in the Lockwood area of the park and is only a short drive from Oil City, Franklin or Titusville in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Oil Country.

    From Franklin: Take PA Route 417 north approximately 3 miles to the Y - intersection with Cherrytree Road. Veer right onto Cherrytree Road and drive approximately 3.5 miles. Lockwood and the observatory entrance are on your right.

    From Oil City: Take PA Route 428 North 5.6 miles to Cherrytree Road. Take a left onto Cherrytree and proceed west through the park. The entrance to Lockwood and observatory will be on your left, approximately two miles past the park office.

    Click here for printable registration form!