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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. Most meetings can be attended via Zoom.
ORAS Workshops
In the summer of 2023 we presented two workshops, one on basic astronomy for beginners, and one on nature and night sky photography. See our ORAS Workshops page for details.
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. AstroBlast 2024, which took place from October 1- 6, marked the 30th anniversary of this event.
2025 Calendar of Events
ORAS Virtual Public Night on Saturday, November 9, 2024 -- "The Astronomy for Disabled Veterans Project."
The presentation: Please join us on Saturday, November 9, at 7:00 PM for a virtual Public Night, which can be attended via Zoom. Mr. Rich Dollish will give an overview of the Astronomy for Disabled Veterans Project, including how the project began, where it stands now, and where they hope to take it in the future.
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 and will include a brief update about Learning Center activities followed by a presentation. In an effort to prevent spamming, those interested in participating must register in advance. A link to the virtual event will then be emailed to you separately.
How can I register? CLICK the link below or copy to your browser to register. Please register before midnight (EDT) on Thursday, November 7, and a link will be emailed to you on Saturday, November 9.
https://forms.gle/oTu3cGa8BJ4aqBCB6
ORAS Public Night Agenda - Saturday, November 9 at 7:00 PM
6:50 PM – 7:00 PM: Zoom Session Opens – Opportunity for Tech-Check to make sure your system is working. (Link will be emailed to you after you register)
7:00 PM – 7:10 PM: ORAS News and Updates
7:10 PM – 8:00 PM: Education Presentation – The Astronomy for Disabled Veterans Project
About the Presenter – Rich Dollish has been a member of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh for ten years and a member of the Oil Region Astronomical Society for five years. Rich is primarily a visual observer and very active with astronomy outreach and offsite star parties around the suburbs of Pittsburgh. He has been the principal operator of the observatory at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Aspinwall, PA, for the last two years. Rich is a Data Analyst by trade with a very patient and lovely wife and a disobedient hound dog.
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 and will include a brief update about Learning Center activities followed by a presentation. In an effort to prevent spamming, those interested in participating must register in advance. A link to the virtual event will then be emailed to you separately.
How can I register? CLICK the link below or copy to your browser to register. Please register before midnight (EDT) on Thursday, November 7, and a link will be emailed to you on Saturday, November 9.
https://forms.gle/oTu3cGa8BJ4aqBCB6
ORAS Public Night Agenda - Saturday, November 9 at 7:00 PM
6:50 PM – 7:00 PM: Zoom Session Opens – Opportunity for Tech-Check to make sure your system is working. (Link will be emailed to you after you register)
7:00 PM – 7:10 PM: ORAS News and Updates
7:10 PM – 8:00 PM: Education Presentation – The Astronomy for Disabled Veterans Project
About the Presenter – Rich Dollish has been a member of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh for ten years and a member of the Oil Region Astronomical Society for five years. Rich is primarily a visual observer and very active with astronomy outreach and offsite star parties around the suburbs of Pittsburgh. He has been the principal operator of the observatory at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Aspinwall, PA, for the last two years. Rich is a Data Analyst by trade with a very patient and lovely wife and a disobedient hound dog.
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
September 7, 2024, Dr. Dan Holler, "Remote Telescope Observing"
August 10, 2024, Dr. Dean Salisbury, "Meteor Showers: Photograph them with your Digital Camera"
July 13, 2024, Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Monsters: Subtle and Colossal Beasts of the Night Sky"
June 15, 2024, Dr. Susan Prezzano, "The Summer Solstice and Stonehenge in the Past and in the Present"
May 11, 2024, Mr. Larry McHenry "Charles Messier: The Ferret of Comets"
April 13, 2024: Mr. Tim DeBenedictis, “Origins: a personal journey in astronomical imaging”
March 16, 2024: Ms. Yasmin Catricheo, “The Sun and Moon: Mapuche Cosmovision of the Universe”
February 17, 2024: Mr. Gary Purinton, "The 2024 Eclipse Megamovie: Capturing Totality"
January 27, 2024: Dr. Richard Lloyd, "Black Holes from Birth to Death"
November 25, 2023: Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Comets -- A Brief Study"
October 28, 2023: Dr. Susan Prezzano, "Ancient Astronomy in Europe and Western Asia"
September 23, 2023: Mr. Dean Salisbury, "Photography: Birds to Stars"
July 22, 2023: Mr. Larry McHenry, "Planetary Nebulae: From Messier to Abell—What They Are and How to Observe Them"
June 22, 2023: Ms. Suzana Filipecki Martins, "How to Name an Exoplanet, and Other Activities of the IAU's Office for Astronomy Outreach"
May 27, 2023: “Your Night: ORAS Panel Answers your Astronomy Questions"
April 15, 2023: Mr. Tim Spuck, “Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries."
March 25, 2023: Mr. Bruce Howard, "Optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence."
February 25, 2023: Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Stars."
January 21, 2023: Mr. Larry McHenry, "Solar Observing -- An Introduction to Solar Features and Observing Techniques."
October 15, 2022: Dr. Susan Prezzano, "Recent Discoveries in Archaeoastronomy."
September 17, 2022: 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."
August 10, 2024, Dr. Dean Salisbury, "Meteor Showers: Photograph them with your Digital Camera"
July 13, 2024, Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Monsters: Subtle and Colossal Beasts of the Night Sky"
June 15, 2024, Dr. Susan Prezzano, "The Summer Solstice and Stonehenge in the Past and in the Present"
May 11, 2024, Mr. Larry McHenry "Charles Messier: The Ferret of Comets"
April 13, 2024: Mr. Tim DeBenedictis, “Origins: a personal journey in astronomical imaging”
March 16, 2024: Ms. Yasmin Catricheo, “The Sun and Moon: Mapuche Cosmovision of the Universe”
February 17, 2024: Mr. Gary Purinton, "The 2024 Eclipse Megamovie: Capturing Totality"
January 27, 2024: Dr. Richard Lloyd, "Black Holes from Birth to Death"
November 25, 2023: Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Comets -- A Brief Study"
October 28, 2023: Dr. Susan Prezzano, "Ancient Astronomy in Europe and Western Asia"
September 23, 2023: Mr. Dean Salisbury, "Photography: Birds to Stars"
July 22, 2023: Mr. Larry McHenry, "Planetary Nebulae: From Messier to Abell—What They Are and How to Observe Them"
June 22, 2023: Ms. Suzana Filipecki Martins, "How to Name an Exoplanet, and Other Activities of the IAU's Office for Astronomy Outreach"
May 27, 2023: “Your Night: ORAS Panel Answers your Astronomy Questions"
April 15, 2023: Mr. Tim Spuck, “Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries."
March 25, 2023: Mr. Bruce Howard, "Optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence."
February 25, 2023: Mr. Dean Miskovich, "Stars."
January 21, 2023: Mr. Larry McHenry, "Solar Observing -- An Introduction to Solar Features and Observing Techniques."
October 15, 2022: Dr. Susan Prezzano, "Recent Discoveries in Archaeoastronomy."
September 17, 2022: 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."