IAU 2026 Pro-Am Workshop

PLEASE Notify Us of your Interest
Please note that we have limited capacity on site. Official Registration will open in early 2026. However, you can help us better prepare for the upcoming workshop by CLICKING HERE and responding to a few questions. Those who respond will be the first to be notified that registration is open. 

The IAU 2026 Pro-Am Workshop is a joint initiative between the International Astronomical Union’s Professional-Amateur Relations in Astronomy Working Group and the Oil Region Astronomical Society.

Throughout history, amateur astronomers have made significant discoveries and contributions to the field of professional astronomy. While many amateurs are observers using smaller optical telescopes to image the night sky directly with CCD detectors, others are engaged in making radio observations or designing and building their own instruments. Some amateur astronomers collect data on solar eclipses and aurorae or are making astrometric and photometric observations of asteroids and comets and reporting them to the Minor Planet Center, while others are engaged in the precise timing of stellar occultations by bodies in our solar system. The upcoming workshop will harness this knowledge base and interest to create a win-win for astronomy professionals, amateurs, educators and students.

Location: The Workshop will take place at the Oil Region Astronomy Learning Center and Camp Coffman located in NW Pennsylvania in the United States.
​
Getting Here: Individuals arriving by air should plan to fly into Pittsburgh International Airport, or Cleveland International Airport, or DuBois Regional Airport ).  We are working to provide limited transportation from these airports to the site; we would arrange transportation via bus or van. You may also want to rent you own vehicle once you arrive at the airport and drive to the site.Travel Support: We can provide onsite group lodging at Camp Coffman and meals during the Workshop for attendees. However, we do not anticipate funding will be available to support air travel, rental cars, etc. for individuals.

Who Should Attend: Professional astronomers, amateur astronomers, astronomy educators, and learners of all ages interested in engaging in astronomy research collaborations.

Planned Activities: While an agenda has not yet been finalized, planned activities include lightning talks and traditional presentations on exemplar programs and practices in pro-am collaboration, mini workshops featuring tools and techniques, networking opportunities, opportunities to brainstorm and develop new collaborations, dark sky observing at the Bedow Memorial Observatory and more!

Submitting a Presentation/Workshop Abstract for Consideration: Registration and abstracts submission portal will open soon.

NOTE: ASTROBLAST 2026 Star Party will take place from October 6-11, 2026 at the same location immediately following the Pro-Am Workshop. Please consider attending the Pro-Am Workshop and staying for the Star Party!