Observatory
The Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center – ORALC – is the “home” of ORAS. This facility includes the Bruce M. Bedow Memorial Observatory, the David L. Jones Activity Building, and a large observing field. ORALC sits on a 25-acre property, located about halfway between Franklin and Clarion, Pennsylvania. Both of our buildings are handicapped accessible.
Aerial view of the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center site, facing west toward Pennsylvania State Game Lands 45.
Photo courtesy of Steve Behringer.
Named in memory of Bruce M. Bedow, the observatory features a roll-off roof, giving observers a wide, unobstructed view of the sky. The floor in the observatory is flat and smooth and the path from the parking area includes an exterior ramp system, making this facility accessible to wheelchairs.
Photo courtesy of Steve Behringer.
Named in memory of Bruce M. Bedow, the observatory features a roll-off roof, giving observers a wide, unobstructed view of the sky. The floor in the observatory is flat and smooth and the path from the parking area includes an exterior ramp system, making this facility accessible to wheelchairs.
Two views of the Bruce M. Bedow Memorial Observatory.
Our 30-inch f/3 Newtonian telescope is one of the largest publicly-accessible telescopes in western Pennsylvania. Made by Starstructure Telescopes, with mirrors from Lockwood Custom Optics, the telescope’s Dobsonian-style mount is equipped with an Argo Navis digital telescope computer and a Servocat tracking system. These features allow the telescope to be operated either manually or in “GoTo” tracking mode. The large aperture of this telescope provides tremendous light collecting capability, enabling observations of distant, faint objects.
Our 30-inch f/3 Newtonian telescope is one of the largest publicly-accessible telescopes in western Pennsylvania. Made by Starstructure Telescopes, with mirrors from Lockwood Custom Optics, the telescope’s Dobsonian-style mount is equipped with an Argo Navis digital telescope computer and a Servocat tracking system. These features allow the telescope to be operated either manually or in “GoTo” tracking mode. The large aperture of this telescope provides tremendous light collecting capability, enabling observations of distant, faint objects.
Installing the 30-inch telescope’s primary mirror. The 30-inch Starstructure telescope.
In addition to the 30-inch telescope, the observatory has a Celestron 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on an Orion HDX110 EQ-G GoTo Equatorial mount. Rounding out the list of equipment is a Meade 14-inch LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on an equatorial mount. Together, these three instruments provide a wide variety of capabilities for visual observing and for imaging.
In addition to the 30-inch telescope, the observatory has a Celestron 14-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on an Orion HDX110 EQ-G GoTo Equatorial mount. Rounding out the list of equipment is a Meade 14-inch LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on an equatorial mount. Together, these three instruments provide a wide variety of capabilities for visual observing and for imaging.
Left to right: 30-inch Starstructure telescope, 14-inch Meade telescope, and 14-inch Celestron telescope.
Seen in the background of the telescope group photo is the observatory’s control room. Telescopes and imaging equipment may be operated remotely from this room, allowing observers to work in comfort on days when the weather isn’t quite comfortable.
Watch a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVOWNgU3RHA= of the observatory in action.
Seen in the background of the telescope group photo is the observatory’s control room. Telescopes and imaging equipment may be operated remotely from this room, allowing observers to work in comfort on days when the weather isn’t quite comfortable.
Watch a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVOWNgU3RHA= of the observatory in action.
Video courtesy of Dean Salisbury.
The spacious observing field at ORALC is ideal for overnight stays. Click here to pay the nightly fee, or to buy a year-long (January to December) Observers Pass. Another option for paying the nightly fee is to deposit money in an envelope on site. Envelopes are located in a drawer in the rest room, and you may leave your payment in the wooden box above it. Members and their guests may bring their own telescopes and equipment, set them up in the field, and enjoy observing and imaging under the dark skies.
We offer several power pedestals for those using their own equipment. The field is surrounded by forests, keeping stray light to a minimum, yet the on-site road system makes the field readily accessible to vehicles. A variety of amenities such as stores and restaurants are just about 10 miles away. Hotels are available in nearby Cranberry and Clarion.
The spacious observing field at ORALC is ideal for overnight stays. Click here to pay the nightly fee, or to buy a year-long (January to December) Observers Pass. Another option for paying the nightly fee is to deposit money in an envelope on site. Envelopes are located in a drawer in the rest room, and you may leave your payment in the wooden box above it. Members and their guests may bring their own telescopes and equipment, set them up in the field, and enjoy observing and imaging under the dark skies.
We offer several power pedestals for those using their own equipment. The field is surrounded by forests, keeping stray light to a minimum, yet the on-site road system makes the field readily accessible to vehicles. A variety of amenities such as stores and restaurants are just about 10 miles away. Hotels are available in nearby Cranberry and Clarion.
The David L. Jones Activity Building brings an additional dimension to ORALC. Named in memory of the ORAS member who contributed so much to the construction of ORALC, it contains space for a classroom that can be used for astronomy education sessions to augment the hands-on astronomy activities performed at the observatory. The classroom enables ORALC to accommodate student and adult groups for school field trips, community presentations, and other activities. The Activity Building is accessible to physically-challenged individuals. It contains restroom and shower facilities for the comfort of our visitors. Unfortunately, there is no potable water available at the site. During AstroBlast we do offer bottled water for sale.
The David L. Jones Activity Building Classroom in the Activity Building
For more information
For directions on how to find the observatory, and an interactive map, visit our Directions to the Observatory page.
For guidelines on using the observatory site and facilities, visit our Guidelines for Observatory Use page.
To link to the ORAS AllSkEye Camera, visit our ORAS AllSkEye Camera page.
To learn more about the building of our site, and for a list of contributors to the observatory project, visit our Observatory Project page.