nice sky at Uluru

[Shiraz]

just got back from a quick trip to the rock with the grandkids. Have never seen sky like that. There was a half moon and there was the milky way as well - easily visible. The stars were steady right down to the horizon. Back home last night and the moon was a bit fuller - but there was absolutely no sign of the milky way, just a few of the brightest stars standing out against the bright sky. The stars that could be seen had their normal wobbly flicker.

Back to reality - sigh.

[Atmos]

Sounds like someone needs to make a move to darker skies :P

[strongmanmike]

Sounds awesome buuut...baaah!! you'll still be able to squeeeeze awesome resolution out'a ya data mate...fuuuuull confidence in ya ;)

Mike

[multiweb]

The only time I saw the milkyway while the moon was up was during the eclipse from Cootamundra at JohnG's place. And still then it was quite faint. Maybe the lack of humidity in the air in the centre allows for less light scattering? Been up imaging at Wiruna once or twice with a quarter to thin crescent of moon and it was a major nuisance. Even Venus being quite bright can be a problem.

[atalas]

I was out there for 4 months a few years back Ray and yeah, the skies are something else! enjoy while you can.

[Camelopardalis]

I'm hoping to get out there around New Moon and get some imaging done. Hope the resort light pollution isn't too bad...

[Shiraz]

it was sure an eyeopener Colin.


thanks Mike - not complaining, since I could not afford to live at the Uluru resort for long, but it would be great to have really good skies like that.


I did a double take and muttered "B..S...you have to be kidding!" under the breath. I had to look a few times to be sure I was not imagining it, but there was the milky way. I guess that the air was just dead clear after a calm dry day and that meant that there was little forward scatter from the moon and of course no backscatter from ground sources.


thanks Louie - it was an outstanding sky.


There was basically no light pollution to speak of where we were at The Sails - a short walk and the sky was dark. Hope you have a great time and, whatever you do, try to get out to the field of lights.

[Camelopardalis]

Sounds good to me, thanks Ray :thumbsup:

[RickS]

Must have been quite an experience, Ray!

[Shiraz]

yes it sure was Rick. just found a quote from Mike Salway of a similar experience, so it seems that sky like that can be found in some of the more remote parts of Aus. http://www.universetoday.com/96539/astrophoto-milky-way-over-the-bungle-bungles-by-mike-salway/
“You know the skies are dark when you can see the Milky Way overhead, even when there’s a more than half-moon shining brightly high in the west sky,” Mike wrote on his website. “And that’s what it was like at the Bungle Bungles.”