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Veil nebula. Photo courtesy of Gary Salisbury.
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Astronomy is most enjoyable when it is shared. We offer a number of options for you to visit with us and learn from us. The ORAS Events and Outreach program brings ORAS members and their knowledge of astronomy together with astronomy enthusiasts from the community.
Star Parties at ORALC
Enjoy an evening under the stars at one of our scheduled star parties at ORALC -- the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center. See our About Events page for information about our star parties.
ORAS meetings
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.
AstroBlast at ORALC |
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AstroBlast at ORALC is our premier annual event. It features dark-sky observing, technical presentations from amateur and professional astronomers, and family fun. See our About AstroBlast page for a description of the usual event.
Calendar of Events |
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ORAS Speaker Series for January
January 21, 2023: Virtual Public Night with the Oil Region Astronomical Society –
"Solar Observing -- An Introduction to Solar Features and ObservingTechniques," with Mr. Larry McHenry
Please join us on Saturday, January 23 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, for a virtual Public Night with ORAS, including a presentation on solar observing by Mr. Larry McHenry.
Who can attend? Anyone who is interested in learning more about ORAS and astronomy-related topics may attend. We strongly encourage members of the general public and educators and students from surrounding schools to participate. Public nights are FREE and open to all. If you have a computer, tablet, or smart phone and Internet access, you are ready to go! In an effort to prevent spamming, those interested in participating must register in advance. A link to the virtual event will then be e-mailed to you separately.
How can I register? It's simple to register. Click or go here to register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OrasPublic
Public Night Schedule, Saturday, January 23
6:50 PM: Tech-check
7:00-7:10: ORAS News and updates
7:10 PM to 8:00 PM: Education Program: Solar Observing -- An introduction to Solar Features and Techniques
The program will describe the various solar features visible in both white light and H-alpha. It will also focus on solar observing techniques and equipment.
Who can attend? Anyone who is interested in learning more about ORAS and astronomy-related topics may attend. We strongly encourage members of the general public and educators and students from surrounding schools to participate. Public nights are FREE and open to all. If you have a computer, tablet, or smart phone and Internet access, you are ready to go! In an effort to prevent spamming, those interested in participating must register in advance. A link to the virtual event will then be e-mailed to you separately.
How can I register? It's simple to register. Click or go here to register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OrasPublic
Public Night Schedule, Saturday, January 23
6:50 PM: Tech-check
7:00-7:10: ORAS News and updates
7:10 PM to 8:00 PM: Education Program: Solar Observing -- An introduction to Solar Features and Techniques
The program will describe the various solar features visible in both white light and H-alpha. It will also focus on solar observing techniques and equipment.
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About the Presenter: Larry McHenry is a member of ORAS and the Kiski Astronomers of Western PA. Larry has sketched and EEA/video-observed his way several times through the Messier catalog. He recently completed observing all 2,482 of the Herschel Objects. Currents Larry is working on EEA observing projects involving Arp Peculiar Galaxies, Abell Planetary Nebulae, and Sharpless Emission Nebulae.
Learn more about Larry McHenry's astronomy interest at his web portal, http://www.stellar-journeys.org (EEA means electronically assisted astronomy.) |
Cancellation policy
ORAS reserves the right to cancel events and outreach programs due to inclement weather, due to health or safety issues, or due to other unforeseen circumstances. Please monitor our social media posts for cancellation notices.
Previous public night presentations
October 15, Dr. Susan Prezzano, "Recent Discoveries in Archaeoastronomy."
September 17, Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Things you may not Know about the Gas Giants."
July 9, 2022: Dr. Arthur Kosowsky, "Searching for Planet Nine."
June 25, 2022: Mr. Larry McHenry, "Stargazing and Myths: An Introduction to the Constellations and Seasonal Night-Sky Mythology."
May 7, 2022: Mr. Gary Purinton, "Lunar and Solar Eclipses."
April 16, 2022: Dr. Kelly Lepo, "What to Expect from the James Webb Space Telescope's First Images."
March 19, 2022: Mr. Lou Coban, "High-altitude Ballooning for Solar Eclipses."
November 20, 2021: Mr. Gary Salisbury, "Astrophotography Image Processing."
October 16, 2021: Mr. Larry McHenry, “Comet Tales.”
September 18, 2021: Dr. Tim Spuck, “The Oil Region Astronomical Society: Building an Exciting Future for Generations to Come.”
August 21, 2021: Ms. Emily Lehnardt, “Astronomy for Kids under Age 12.”
July 17, 2021: Mr. Ed Ting, “Astrophotography: Taking the Next Step.”
June 19, 202: Mr. Ed Ting, “An Introduction to Astrophotography.”
May 15, 2021: Mr. Derek Demeter, “Solving the Mysteries of the Universe, One Puzzle Piece at a Time.”
April 17, 2021: Mr. Dean Salisbury, “Looking Up: Astrophotography and Nightscapes using your Digital Camera.”
March 20, 2021: Mr. Jim O’Leary, “Art and the Cosmos.”
February 20, 2021: Ms. Luci Finucan, “Green Bank Observatory Virtual Tour.”
September 26, 2020: Mr. Tom Field, “Astronomical Spectra."
September 17, Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Things you may not Know about the Gas Giants."
July 9, 2022: Dr. Arthur Kosowsky, "Searching for Planet Nine."
June 25, 2022: Mr. Larry McHenry, "Stargazing and Myths: An Introduction to the Constellations and Seasonal Night-Sky Mythology."
May 7, 2022: Mr. Gary Purinton, "Lunar and Solar Eclipses."
April 16, 2022: Dr. Kelly Lepo, "What to Expect from the James Webb Space Telescope's First Images."
March 19, 2022: Mr. Lou Coban, "High-altitude Ballooning for Solar Eclipses."
November 20, 2021: Mr. Gary Salisbury, "Astrophotography Image Processing."
October 16, 2021: Mr. Larry McHenry, “Comet Tales.”
September 18, 2021: Dr. Tim Spuck, “The Oil Region Astronomical Society: Building an Exciting Future for Generations to Come.”
August 21, 2021: Ms. Emily Lehnardt, “Astronomy for Kids under Age 12.”
July 17, 2021: Mr. Ed Ting, “Astrophotography: Taking the Next Step.”
June 19, 202: Mr. Ed Ting, “An Introduction to Astrophotography.”
May 15, 2021: Mr. Derek Demeter, “Solving the Mysteries of the Universe, One Puzzle Piece at a Time.”
April 17, 2021: Mr. Dean Salisbury, “Looking Up: Astrophotography and Nightscapes using your Digital Camera.”
March 20, 2021: Mr. Jim O’Leary, “Art and the Cosmos.”
February 20, 2021: Ms. Luci Finucan, “Green Bank Observatory Virtual Tour.”
September 26, 2020: Mr. Tom Field, “Astronomical Spectra."