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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 event.
We hoped to have a full-fledged AstroBlast in 2021, and set tentative dates of August 10-15, 2021. However, because of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, we will not be going forward with the usual event. Instead, we'll be having an event for ORAS members only, with a focus on training people how to operate our equipment and facilities. See the About AstroBlast page for more information.
We hoped to have a full-fledged AstroBlast in 2021, and set tentative dates of August 10-15, 2021. However, because of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, we will not be going forward with the usual event. Instead, we'll be having an event for ORAS members only, with a focus on training people how to operate our equipment and facilities. See the About AstroBlast page for more information.
Calendar of Events
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ORAS is not holding in-person group events at this time. Our regular schedule of Events and Outreach programs, including AstroBlast, will resume once the ORAS Board determines that it is prudent and safe to hold in-person group events.
The Oil Region Astronomical Society will continue its 2021 public nights and speaker series on Saturday, June 19 at 8:00 PM. Note the change from the usual time! Public nights will be scheduled for the 3rd Saturday of the month. However, due to COVID concerns, these events will take place virtually via Zoom Meeting until further notice.
REGISTER TO ATTEND: Due to spamming issues with ZoomMeeting, we are asking all attendees to register online before the session. A secure link will then be emailed to you so that you can connect virtually. CLICK HERE to Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OrasPublic
Agenda
7:50 PM – 8:00 PM: Zoom Session Opens – Opportunity for Tech-Check to make sure your system is working.
8:00 PM – 8:10 PM: ORAS News and Updates
8:10 PM – 9:00 PM: Education Presentation
REGISTER TO ATTEND: Due to spamming issues with ZoomMeeting, we are asking all attendees to register online before the session. A secure link will then be emailed to you so that you can connect virtually. CLICK HERE to Register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OrasPublic
Agenda
7:50 PM – 8:00 PM: Zoom Session Opens – Opportunity for Tech-Check to make sure your system is working.
8:00 PM – 8:10 PM: ORAS News and Updates
8:10 PM – 9:00 PM: Education Presentation
Saturday, June 19, 8:00 p.m., ORAS public meeting (virtual).
"An Introduction to Astrophotography," with world-renowned amateur astronomer Ed Ting.
Saturday, June 19, 8:00 p.m., ORAS public meeting (virtual).
"An Introduction to Astrophotography," with world-renowned amateur astronomer Ed Ting.
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Astrophotography is the intersection of art and science. The prospective astrophotographer gains a deeper understanding of the night sky, telescopes, cameras, and computers, becomes proficient in the use of software tools like Lightroom and Photoshop, gains a good eye for composition, form, and color, is able to brave sub-freezing temperatures in the winter and vicious mosquitoes in the summer, and (perhaps above all) is lucky. Astrophotography is at once the oldest and the newest of the arts. From the earliest cave paintings showing the locations of supernovas and constellations to the newest digitally-enhanced megapixel wonders, astrophotography appeals to our innate desires as artists to annotate, depict, and express the natural world around us. Join us for a primer on the basics of this fascinating activity.
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Mr. Ed Ting:
Ed Ting is a world-renowned amateur astronomer. His work has appeared in Sky & Telescope, Night Sky, Skywatch 20xx, Amateur Astronomy, Discover, and Popular Mechanics magazines. His writings have been translated into several languages, and he speaks frequently on the topics of astronomy and astrophotography. He has been on New Hampshire Public Radio, and on the TV program Star Hop, based in Manchester, NH. His website, www.scopereviews.com, is a widely-read telescope review site. His astrophotos have been exhibited at several art galleries throughout the northeast United States. He is an ACEAP Ambassador to Chile and a NASA Solar System Ambassador (SSA). He holds a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Illinois, an MFA from the New Hampshire Institute of Art (where he taught English composition, creative writing, and astrophotography), and an MA from Dartmouth, where his thesis on astronomical imaging won the 2020 Byam Shaw-Brownstone MALS Thesis Excellence Award in General Liberal Studies. His astrophotography YouTube channel gets approximately 1 million views each year.
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.