AstroBlast 2024 registration opened

AstroBlast 2024, organized by the Oil Region Astronomical Society (ORAS), is scheduled from October 1-6, 2024, at the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center. This annual gathering provides an opportunity for amateur astronomers and those interested in astronomy to participate in various educational and observational activities.

The event includes lectures, educational sessions, and a door prize drawing. A 30" f/3 Starstructure telescope will be available for observing, and attendees are welcome to bring their own telescopes or binoculars to utilize the dark sky conditions at the site.

AstroBlast 2024 registration details

Participants staying overnight should bring camping equipment, including tents, water, hiking gear, sunscreen, blankets, and red-filter flashlights. Food options include a traditional pizza party on Saturday evening and a limited menu available on Friday evening and Saturday. Alternatively, participants can bring their own food or visit nearby stores and restaurants.

Electrical outlets are provided on the observing field for low-wattage devices, and the site has WiFi access. There are shared cooking facilities, such as a gas grill and microwave. For those preferring hotel accommodations, options include the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites in Seneca and the Days Inn Oil City Conference Center.

Event guidelines include using red filters on flashlights, restricting vehicle movement in the observing field after dark, and observing quiet hours for generators. Pets are allowed under specific conditions and are the owner's responsibility.

The surrounding area offers additional activities, including the Sandy Creek Trail, Cook Forest State Park, and the Drake Well Museum and Park, for those interested in exploring the region.

The speakers for AstroBlast 2024

• Matt Dieterich
• Ed Ting
• Dr. Derrick Pitts
• Larry McHenry
• Dr. Gretchen Stahlman
• Dean Miskovich
• Dean Salisbury
• Gary Salisbury
• Tim Spuck

Astroblast 2024 event schedule

Tuesday, October 1

• ASTROBLAST Begins
• Dark Sky Observing

 
Wednesday, October 2

• Share-a-thon - Astrophotography Tools, Techniques and Tips (Round-table Discussion)
• Dark Sky Observing

 
Thursday, October 3

• Photoshop Astrophotography Processing - Dean Salisbury (4-hour Workshop)
• How to Sketch Deep Sky Objects - Larry McHenry (Presentation)
• Dark Sky Observing

 
Friday, October 4

• PixInsight Astrophotography Processing - Gary Salisbury (4-hour Workshop)
• Share-a-thon – Visual Observing Tools, Techniques and Tips (Round-table Discussion)
• Professional - Amateur Astronomer Research Collaboration – Tim Spuck (Presentation)
• Our Changing Planet: Impacts on Astronomy and our Connections to the Sky – Tiffany Stone Wolbrecht (Presentation)
• Three Stars: Regor, Dnoces and Navi - Dean Miskovich (Presentation)
• Observatory Tours
• Green Laser Constellation Tour - Larry McHenry
• Observing Competition
• Dark Sky Observing

 
Saturday, October 5

• Kids Astronomy Camp – Miranda Heller (4 hours)
• Astronomy Flea Market
• Nature Walk
• Share-a-thon – Astro Web Resources for a Better Astronomy Experience (Round-table Discussion)
• Stonehenge at the Winter Solstice 2023 – Ed Ting (Presentation)
• The New Universe – Derrick Pitts (Presentation)
• UAP and Information Science: Organizing the ‘X-Files’ for Evidence-Based Research – Gretchen Stahlman (Presentation)
• Share-a-thon – Getting Started in Astronomy (Round-table Discussion)
• Nightscape & Wide Angle Astrophotography - Matt Dieterich (Presentation)
• Pizza Party and Door Prize Drawing
• Observing Competition
• Dark Sky Observing

 
Sunday, October 6

• ASTROBLAST Officially Ends (1:00 PM)