Kemble's Cascade, courtesy of Dean Salisbury
Guidelines for Observatory Use
NOTE: The water available at our site is not potable. There is a spring for public use about a half-mile to the south along Camp Coffman Road. This is much used by local residents, but we have no test results or other information on the quality of the water. Thus, we cannot state for certain that it's safe to drink.
1. Sexual harassment, verbal, or physical assaults will not be tolerated and may lead to your removal from the site and the filing of a formal report with the proper authorities.
2. Underage drinking will not be tolerated. Any individual who is intoxicated, in the possession of or under the influence of illegal substances will be removed from the grounds by the proper authorities.
3. Do not touch someone else’s personal astronomy or camping equipment unless you are invited to do so by the owner.
4. No one may camp onsite longer than 10 consecutive nights in a row. All camping equipment must be removed from the field for a minimum of 48 hours in-between camping sessions.
5. Campers may plug-in to the building or power pedestals. Do not create a tripping hazard with loose extension cords and use only cords/adapters approved for use with your camper. When connecting any equipment to these outlets, if the circuit breaker should trip, disconnect high amperage appliances before resetting the breaker. If the breaker trips a second time, do not use appliances such as air conditioners or microwave ovens. Running AC units during the day is permitted, but should be kept to a minimum as this may cause circuit breakers to trip, impacting other pedestal users. AC units must be turned off at sunset. Depending on the number of users plugged into a pedestal the draw on the electrical outlet could pop the circuit breaker from time to time. ORAS encourages the use of batteries for computers, telescopes, and imaging systems that are in use.
6. No RV dumping of black-water onsite. Please utilize one of the local campground dump-station such as Wolf's or Rustic Acres.
7. Refrain from RV dumping of grey-water onsite. (only limited amount if necessary for overflow)
8. Trash rule of "carry-in/carry-out". All club Members are responsible in keeping the site clean.
9. No Campfires allowed on the observing field. Gas or charcoal grills are permitted to be used, but be mindful of generating smoke. For those wishing to enjoy a campfire at the facility, they may use the designated fire-ring located behind the Jones Building during the hours before midnight. Do not leave a fire unattended! When finished, the fire must be completely extinguished with water from the garden hose. No smoke or visible steam shall be allowed.
10. Smoking is prohibited in or near the buildings. Also, please refrain from smoking near telescopes setup on the grounds. If you smoke, do not throw your butts on the ground. No littering.
11. No loud music. Quiet hours are from sunset through 10:00 a.m. Please be considerate of your amateur-astronomers neighbors who may have been up all night and are taking a day nap.
12. No gas or diesel generator usage allowed onsite.
13. No white lights after dark on clear nights, unless in emergency (permitted on cloudy nights).
14. No excessively bright red lights. Please keep all RV or tent windows, computer monitors, tablets, and cell phones covered.
15. No cars may enter the observing field after dark.
16. For club members and their guests who will not be staying overnight on the observing field, please follow the below process:
17. No sporting activities on the field around campers or telescopes such as throwing footballs, baseballs, frisbees, etc. Please use an empty part of a field.
18. All individuals bringing pets to the facility accept full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or other liabilities which their pets may cause. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times, and under direct control of the pet owner or another adult. No pets allowed inside the observatory or multipurpose building. Owners must clean-up after their pets on the main field (owners may use the South-West field for un-leashed activities). Individuals not showing responsible pet management will be informed of the policy. Should non compliance continue, they will be asked to remove their pet from the facility.
19. Please follow the ORAS Green Laser Pointer usage policy listed below.
20. In the event an individual using the site has a concern about noise, lighting, smoke from a campfire, etc. emanating from a neighboring property, that concern should be directed to the Observatory/Facilities Committee Chair and the ORAS President as soon as possible. ORAS members are not to approach the neighboring property owner about the issue.
1. Sexual harassment, verbal, or physical assaults will not be tolerated and may lead to your removal from the site and the filing of a formal report with the proper authorities.
2. Underage drinking will not be tolerated. Any individual who is intoxicated, in the possession of or under the influence of illegal substances will be removed from the grounds by the proper authorities.
3. Do not touch someone else’s personal astronomy or camping equipment unless you are invited to do so by the owner.
4. No one may camp onsite longer than 10 consecutive nights in a row. All camping equipment must be removed from the field for a minimum of 48 hours in-between camping sessions.
5. Campers may plug-in to the building or power pedestals. Do not create a tripping hazard with loose extension cords and use only cords/adapters approved for use with your camper. When connecting any equipment to these outlets, if the circuit breaker should trip, disconnect high amperage appliances before resetting the breaker. If the breaker trips a second time, do not use appliances such as air conditioners or microwave ovens. Running AC units during the day is permitted, but should be kept to a minimum as this may cause circuit breakers to trip, impacting other pedestal users. AC units must be turned off at sunset. Depending on the number of users plugged into a pedestal the draw on the electrical outlet could pop the circuit breaker from time to time. ORAS encourages the use of batteries for computers, telescopes, and imaging systems that are in use.
6. No RV dumping of black-water onsite. Please utilize one of the local campground dump-station such as Wolf's or Rustic Acres.
7. Refrain from RV dumping of grey-water onsite. (only limited amount if necessary for overflow)
8. Trash rule of "carry-in/carry-out". All club Members are responsible in keeping the site clean.
9. No Campfires allowed on the observing field. Gas or charcoal grills are permitted to be used, but be mindful of generating smoke. For those wishing to enjoy a campfire at the facility, they may use the designated fire-ring located behind the Jones Building during the hours before midnight. Do not leave a fire unattended! When finished, the fire must be completely extinguished with water from the garden hose. No smoke or visible steam shall be allowed.
10. Smoking is prohibited in or near the buildings. Also, please refrain from smoking near telescopes setup on the grounds. If you smoke, do not throw your butts on the ground. No littering.
11. No loud music. Quiet hours are from sunset through 10:00 a.m. Please be considerate of your amateur-astronomers neighbors who may have been up all night and are taking a day nap.
12. No gas or diesel generator usage allowed onsite.
13. No white lights after dark on clear nights, unless in emergency (permitted on cloudy nights).
14. No excessively bright red lights. Please keep all RV or tent windows, computer monitors, tablets, and cell phones covered.
15. No cars may enter the observing field after dark.
16. For club members and their guests who will not be staying overnight on the observing field, please follow the below process:
- Upon arriving on the field, please park with your vehicle's headlights pointed toward the exit road and facing away from other members who may be present on the field.
- When you are finished with observing, please pack-up without using white-lights, including interior vehicle lights.
- Plan on leaving at the top of the hour and communicate with anyone nearby so that they may take precautions to preserve their night-vision or imaging.
- Please limit idling your car engine, daytime-parking lights on, and brake light usage.
- Upon leaving, exit as directly as possible, but take all safety precautions to avoid people or objects in front of you.
- If you have an emergency situation and need to leave immediately, all above rules are waived, announce to those around you that you have an emergency and use whatever white-lights that you need in order to quickly and safely leave.
17. No sporting activities on the field around campers or telescopes such as throwing footballs, baseballs, frisbees, etc. Please use an empty part of a field.
18. All individuals bringing pets to the facility accept full responsibility for any injuries, damages, or other liabilities which their pets may cause. All pets must be kept on a leash at all times, and under direct control of the pet owner or another adult. No pets allowed inside the observatory or multipurpose building. Owners must clean-up after their pets on the main field (owners may use the South-West field for un-leashed activities). Individuals not showing responsible pet management will be informed of the policy. Should non compliance continue, they will be asked to remove their pet from the facility.
- Animals covered under the American with Disabilities Act, will be permitted on the grounds and will not be restricted in accordance with all provisions of the law).
19. Please follow the ORAS Green Laser Pointer usage policy listed below.
20. In the event an individual using the site has a concern about noise, lighting, smoke from a campfire, etc. emanating from a neighboring property, that concern should be directed to the Observatory/Facilities Committee Chair and the ORAS President as soon as possible. ORAS members are not to approach the neighboring property owner about the issue.
COVID-19 Policy
1) ORAS follows the current COVID-19 guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the guidelines provided by the PA Department of Health.
2) For those who have been fully vaccinated against COVID, masking is optional. For those who have not been fully vaccinated, and those who are in a high-risk category, masks are strongly recommended when indoors.
Emergency Information
(Fire, Police, Ambulance) Dial 911
Location - Give your location as the ORAS Observatory near the YMCA Camp Coffman.
The address is 4249 Camp Coffman Rd, Cranberry, PA 16319
Location - Give your location as the ORAS Observatory near the YMCA Camp Coffman.
The address is 4249 Camp Coffman Rd, Cranberry, PA 16319
ORAS Laser Pointer Usage Policy
The following Laser Pointer Usage Regulations apply for all ORAS-sponsored club events. Observed infractions of these regulations shall result in a verbal reminder warning. Repeated failure to follow these laser safety tips may lead to being asked to leave.
1. Never shine a laser pointer toward any person, aircraft, or other vehicle.
2. Do not allow children to use a pointer unsupervised. Lasers are not toys.
3. If your telescope is equipped with a laser pointer ‘finder’ that has a "constant-on" setting, do not leave the instrument unattended with the laser switched on.
4. Do not aim a laser pointer toward mirrors or other shiny surfaces. The reflected beam may inadvertently strike someone in the eye. Exception: Laser collimators are permissible, but care must be taken in their use.
5. Do not aim a laser pointer skyward if you hear or see an aircraft of any kind flying overhead.
6. Avoid using laser pointers near astrophotographers / imagers.
7. You are personally liable for any physical injury or damage caused by your laser pointer.
Usage Fees for the Observing Field
ORAS members using the observing field for overnight stays must purchase field usage passes. Passes are available on an annual term for $60 (valid for January 1 through December 31) or up to a 10-day term for $8 per night. Please use the PayPal option below to purchase either the single-night field usage pass or the annual Observers Pass.
Alternatively, you may pay your nightly fees at the site, by leaving payment in an envelope inside the restroom. Envelopes with the fee schedule can be found in a drawer there. You may deposit your payment in the wooden box above it.