Who we are

Astronomy is a subject that inspires passion.  In 1991, that passion brought together a group of amateur astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts who formed an organization in Venango County, Pennsylvania, the Venango County Astronomy Club. Built upon their common interest, that organization has since grown into ORAS, the Oil Region Astronomical Society, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
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ORAS members harness their passion for astronomy to accomplish amazing things. In addition to enjoying the wonders of the night sky, ORAS members share their knowledge with others. We built the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center to further astronomy education for the ORAS members and for the surrounding communities. We also organize public outreach programs to share and spread knowledge of astronomy throughout northwest Pennsylvania. Visit our History of ORAS page to learn more about our organization.