Orange County Astronomers

Panoramic view of an OCA General Meeting.

The Orange County Astronomers (OCA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, civilian-led astronomy organization in Orange County, southern California.[1][2] It was formed in 1967 and currently operates with around 800 concurrent members; they offer beginner courses in astronomy, and have meetings on the second Friday of every month at Chapman University.[2] Currently, the OCA offers a dark-sky site to viewers, which includes a 22-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and public-use observation areas.[2] In addition, the OCA has been registered as an affiliate of the Astronomers Without Borders program since March of 2012.[3]

## Contents

* 1 OCA Observatory
* 2 Scope Loaner Program
* 3 Activities
* 4 Library
* 5 Asteroid
* 6 See also
* 7 References

## OCA Observatory

In September of 1984, a 22-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope along with an observatory were opened in the namesake of William Kuhn.[4] This telescope is operated at the OCA Observatory, located at a dark-sky site that is a two hour drive from Orange County.[2] Today there are several different areas on the site for observing pads, as well as several small observatory sites for individual members.[2] The club holds a star party there every month, during which a certified telescope operator guides the 22-inch Cassegrain telescope around the night sky. 'Star Members' are the only personnel who are allowed to operate the telescope, at the cost of $150 to become a certified member.[5] The site includes a mobile home outfitted with a kitchen and bathroom, and is used as a location to defrost in the winter, or cool off in the summer.[2]

## Scope Loaner Program

Telescopes of different types and sizes are available for members to rent.

## Activities

OCA has a myriad of activities for those interested in delving deeper into astronomy. In addition to beginner's classes, public outreaches and monthly general meetings, there are special interest groups that meet on a regular basis, including AstroImagers and AstroPhysics.[6]

## Library

Members can check out a wealth of books and videos available at the club's library. The library is located at the Irvine Lecture Hall of the Chapman University and is operational during the General Meetings.

## Asteroid

Asteroid 6525 Ocastron, discovered by Jack B. Child and Greg Fisch in 1992, was named in recognition and appreciation of the Orange County Astronomers.[1] The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 1 June 1996 (M.P.C. 27331).[7]

## See also

* List of astronomical societies

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "6525 Ocastron (1992 SQ2)". Minor Planet Center. https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=6525. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Orange County Astronomers - About OCA". http://ocastronomers.org/about_oca/.
3. ↑ "Orange County Astronomers". https://astronomerswithoutborders.org/my-awb/our-current-affiliates/network.html?id=421.
4. ↑ "Orange County Astronomers - The Kuhn Telescope". http://ocastronomers.org/about_oca/club_observing_sites/kuhn_telescope/.
5. ↑ "Orange County Astronomers - Star Member". http://ocastronomers.org/about_oca/join_oca/StarMember.asp.
6. ↑ "Exploring the Universe: A Comprehensive Guide to Reflector Telescope Parts". https://gskyertelescopes.com/exploring-the-universe-a-comprehensive-guide-to-reflector-telescope-parts/.
7. ↑ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html. Retrieved 16 July 2019.

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange County Astronomers. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Organization:Orange_County_Astronomers&oldid=882913"