Oil Region Astronomical Society
The Oil Region Astronomical Society was founded in 1993. An observatory was built over a three-year period by ORAS members and local volunteers. It was located in Two Mile Run County Park, Venango County, PA.
In 2014, by mutual agreement between the County and the Society, it was decided that the ORAS observatory should move to a new site. Land was donated for an observatory in southeastern Venango County, off Camp Coffman Road -- a location with a darker sky and a better view to the south. ORAS moved out of the Two Mile Run Park site in December 2014. And the process began of building a new observatory and installing new-generation telescopes!
In 2014, by mutual agreement between the County and the Society, it was decided that the ORAS observatory should move to a new site. Land was donated for an observatory in southeastern Venango County, off Camp Coffman Road -- a location with a darker sky and a better view to the south. ORAS moved out of the Two Mile Run Park site in December 2014. And the process began of building a new observatory and installing new-generation telescopes!
The Clear Sky Chart
At a glance, the Clear Sky Chart shows when it will be cloudy or clear for up to the next two days. It's a prediction of when the ORAS observatory site will have good weather for astronomical observing. Click on "HELP" in the lower right hand corner of the Clear Sky Chart for information on how to read the chart.
The Clear Sky Chart was developed by the Canadian Meteorological Centre. It is now sponsored by the Northern Virginia Astronomical Club, the Edmonton Centre and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The managers of the chart run three computer weather simulations every twelve hours. The output looks just like satellite pictures, but the dates are from the future. To see them, click on the 'cloud', 'tran' or 'seeing' blocks above.
The Clear Sky Chart was developed by the Canadian Meteorological Centre. It is now sponsored by the Northern Virginia Astronomical Club, the Edmonton Centre and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The managers of the chart run three computer weather simulations every twelve hours. The output looks just like satellite pictures, but the dates are from the future. To see them, click on the 'cloud', 'tran' or 'seeing' blocks above.
Current phase of the moon
To see what phase of the moon we are in at present, please click on the link below.
CURRENT MOON
Current positions of the constellations
To see the position of the constellations in tonight's sky, please see below.