Observatories open for (paid or unpaid) viewing

[peteyak (Peter)]

Recently I went to NZ and visited the Mt John observatory. Night sky-gazing tours are run there (as a commercial venture). Does anyone know of similar tours in Australia?

I'm particularly interested in locations with dark skies and ideally a bit of height, well suited to fainter deep-sky objects. There is, for example, an observatory tour in Melbourne but it would be difficult to see deep sky objects well as Melbourne has quite a light-polluted night sky, as well as mostly being close to sea-level.

[peteyak (Peter)]

I should aso say that this includes any observatory or telescope, amateur or professional, that is at time available for strangers to book a look-see.

[OICURMT]

I went to the "Sounds of Silence" dinner Easter 2011... http://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/sounds-of-silence/

Great dinner, but the observation session was absolutely awful.

The "Astronomer" had only basic knowledge and he didn't even know that the Big Dipper asterism was visible from Uluru, even though I pointed it out to him (he was asked by a guest if it was visible).

Paid A$150/head (5 of us), good value overall, as my kids were catching up (the oldest flew in from Melbourne, after recently moving to Australia from the USA). The best part of the dinner was meeting other people from all over the world... I consider the meal and environment worthy of the $150, the skies were a bonus, in spite of the person running the telescopes (they had 3 SCT's on perm-piers).


OIC!

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

We have been keeping an eye on these for a while now , I think it will happen soon , now .
I will just have to bite my tongue if we get the same presenter , as my darlin, will cuff me if I get a little smart .. ha ha .
sounds like a great night , and thanks.
Something to help me wind down after this LOOOONG month of 12 hour night shifts on this DLNG shutdown , cant wait .
Brian.

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

DLNG shutdown
Brian.

I had a good tour of the plant, very quiet

The bags and bags and bags and bags and bags and bags of Perlite were impressive

A bit of a shame we could not catch up for a meet and greet.


All the best
OIC!

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Hi,

here are a few links for observatories.

http://outreach.atnf.csiro.au/discovery/observatories/
http://asa.astronomy.org.au/observatories.html
http://www.astronomy.org.au/ngn/engine.php?SID=1000014
http://www.quasarastronomy.com.au/places.htm

Just do a google search for more.

Cheers
Chris

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Horrible stuff, I pity'd the guys taking it out 1 bag at a time from the 12 nozzles , forklifts , people going everywhere ,like ants for 2 weeks round the clock ,, horrible !! .
They did the 6 hour hydro test on the guts of the 2 cold boxes last night and started pumping it all back in today , 2 days to fill 1 and 4 to fill the other . But this is done mechanically .
Yea its differant to hear brds singing there at the moment ..
we have the $20 million anual maintence contract and its a noisey place when running at its max 70% .
Shame I missed you as well , mate .
Its nearly all over .
Brian.

Originally Posted by OICURMT

I had a good tour of the plant, very quiet

The bags and bags and bags and bags and bags and bags of Perlite were impressive

A bit of a shame we could not catch up for a meet and greet.


All the best
OIC!

[peteyak (Peter)]

Thanks Chris, OIC, much appreciated (sorry about the long response time...!)

[Poita (Peter)]

Mudgee observatory is a fun evening as well. Nice dark skies at night and great red wines by day .

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Maidenwell in the Bunya mountains north of Dalby in Queensland.
Beautiful dark skies.
High location.
Privately owned commercial venture supported by local council.
and a free camping site adjacent.
Worth a look if you are in the area.

[alocky (Andrew lockwood)]

If you're ever in the west visit:
http://www.perthobservatory.wa.gov.au/tours.htm
Run by volunteers and staff from the DEC.

[OICURMT]

Knew about this place, just plain forgot. This thread jogged the old brain.

Located in SA, north of the Flinders

http://www.arkaroola.com.au/astronomical.php