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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 the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center
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
Be our guest for an ORAS meeting that features an informative presentation on astronomy. See our About Events page for information about our meetings.
AstroBlast at ORALC
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
Starting with our public night on Saturday, May 7, ORAS will resume holding group events for the public at the observatory site.
ORAS Speaker Series for May
The Oil Region Astronomical Society will continue its 2022 public nights and speaker series on Saturday, May 7, at 7:30 PM, at the Bruce M. Bedow Memorial Observatory. The topic is "Lunar and Solar Eclipses." The presenter will be Mr. Gary Purinton.
Please join us on Saturday, May 7 from 7:30 to 11:00 PM, for our next Public Night at the Oil Region Astronomical Society (ORAS) Bruce M. Bedow Memorial Observatory. With this presentation, ORAS will resume having in-person public nights at our observatory site. We are excited to show the public our new facilities. Weather permitting, there will be opportunities to observe planets, stars, and galaxies through our 30-inch telescope. In addition to night sky observing, there will be a presentation on eclipses in the David L. Jones Activity Building. This will help you prepare for the total lunar eclipse on the night of May 16, which will be visible from Northwestern PA.
COVID-19 Recommendations - The event will take place primarily indoors. Anyone who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 or who is considered high-risk for complications from COVID-19 infection is strongly encouraged to wear a mask while indoors.
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 to participate, especially educators and students from surrounding schools. Public nights are FREE and open to all. They will include a brief update about Learning Center activities, followed by a presentation.
ORAS Public Night Agenda - Saturday, May 7, 2022
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Presentation “Lunar and Solar Eclipses” (rain or shine)
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Night Sky Observing (weather permitting)
About the Presenter –Gary Purinton has been an educator for more than 26 years. He is a retired planetarium teacher, and was an Earth and Space Science teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. He also taught astronomy at Clarion University, and he currently volunteers at Clarion University’s planetarium.
Please join us on Saturday, May 7 from 7:30 to 11:00 PM, for our next Public Night at the Oil Region Astronomical Society (ORAS) Bruce M. Bedow Memorial Observatory. With this presentation, ORAS will resume having in-person public nights at our observatory site. We are excited to show the public our new facilities. Weather permitting, there will be opportunities to observe planets, stars, and galaxies through our 30-inch telescope. In addition to night sky observing, there will be a presentation on eclipses in the David L. Jones Activity Building. This will help you prepare for the total lunar eclipse on the night of May 16, which will be visible from Northwestern PA.
COVID-19 Recommendations - The event will take place primarily indoors. Anyone who has not been vaccinated for COVID-19 or who is considered high-risk for complications from COVID-19 infection is strongly encouraged to wear a mask while indoors.
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 to participate, especially educators and students from surrounding schools. Public nights are FREE and open to all. They will include a brief update about Learning Center activities, followed by a presentation.
ORAS Public Night Agenda - Saturday, May 7, 2022
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Presentation “Lunar and Solar Eclipses” (rain or shine)
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Night Sky Observing (weather permitting)
About the Presenter –Gary Purinton has been an educator for more than 26 years. He is a retired planetarium teacher, and was an Earth and Space Science teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia. He also taught astronomy at Clarion University, and he currently volunteers at Clarion University’s planetarium.
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
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.
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.