Dark sky areas

[Sheap]

Does anyone know of any dark sky areas near Carrum?
If you dont know where carrum is - wich is doubtful anyway, it is near frankston, which is on the eatern side of port phillip bay.
It seems light polution is stopping me from seeing deep sky objects very well, and before i resort to breaking all outdoor lights in the area, id like to know of any good places nearby.

[Garyh]

Hi there, no ones answered your question here. As I don`t know the melbourne district I put a picture showing the light pollution of south eastern Australia. I hope it is of some help..
Cs Gary

[iceman]

Dave Girling (dave47tuc) and friends observe at Mornington Peninsula - not sure how far that is from you.

He might be able to suggest some other areas nearby.

[glenc]

Thanks for the map Garyh

[janoskiss]

Depends what you mean by nearby. The Peninsula is not bad and the closest location to where you are that is suitable for observing fainter DSOs, but it gets better on the way to the Prom or Cape Paterson, (the Prom is very good). You need to work around the local micrometeorology: wind and fog being the main annoyances (usually you get one or the other). I had the most success somewhere near Kongwak half-way between Korumburra and Wonthaggi, setting up near the top of a hill; valleys = fog.

Lake Mountain is a good spot just a short drive out of Marysville - nice place to spend the w/e < 100km from Melbourne. Observing at night, walking in the rainforest during the day.

[ving]

hey garry, where'd ya get the map from?

[Starkler]

Mornington Peninsula Astro Society has a club site at a place called "The Briars" just South of Mornington.

It is nicely set up with facilities etc .The skies could best be described as semi-dark. Still it would be better than Carrum :)

[Garyh]

Hi again,
heres a link to where you can download a hi res map of light pollution in Australia..
Interesting..:rolleyes:
http://www.inquinamentoluminoso.it/worldatlas/pages/fig9.htm

Cheers

[Lee]

I'm glad I don't live in Europe! sheesh :eyepop: