Yanks in Oz

[dwyman]

I LOVE AUSSIE BEER!!

Just a quick note to you all. Our contingent has been in Coonabarabran for nearly a week and have been enjoying it immensely. Aussie hospitality is the greatest. We have roughly 17 Yanks and have been joined by Gary Koff and Mai Tran of Argo Navis fame, Tony Buckley, Lachlan McDonald and Andy Murrell. They've been giving us a guided tour of the Southern Skies in a number of scopes including a couple of 20" dobs and a 25" Obsession. I don't want to leave. Heading back to Sydney tomorrow and will depart for the states on Saturday. Here's a link to a Blog set up by one of our group if you'd like to see what we've been up to.

http://homepage.mac.com/brianhalbrook/blogwavestudio/

Don Wyman

[Starkler]

Thanks Don I enjoyed browsing the blog and it sounds like you all had a fantastic time.
I must say I have never noticed the "great southern emu" before and i'll be keeping an eye out for it in future
:lol2:

[xrekcor]

Starkler,

I never noticed the Emu either until it was pointed out to me a few weeks ago. But boy once you notice it, it really stands out.
The Coal Sack being the head with about the only naked eye star in there is in a good postoion for the eye of the bird. Then follow the milky way dust trail down the Scorpio this part forms the long neck from there the dust trail opens out over Sagittarius to form the birds body. The best time to see it obviously is after Sagittarius rises.

Kindest Regards

[acropolite]

Don,
Nice to hear you love OZ, there's no place like it. My favourite thing is the smell of the bush after it's rained. Make sure you try our Tasmanian beers, either Boags or Cascade before you go. If you didn't get to Tasmania, it's worth a visit on your next trip. Enjoy the rest of your stay. :cheers:

[ving]

cascade = yummy
cascade < heineken :P

welcome to Oz :)

[ausastronomer]

Don,

I know the observing part of the trip has now concluded, but I hope everything went as well as you had hoped for and our Aussie skies left a lasting memory.

CS-John Bambury

[gbeal]

Just don't tell too many folks back home, otherwise they will all want to come down. One good thing, there is plenty of room in Ozzie.
Gary

[xrekcor]

Most of which has very little light pollution :D

[dwyman]

One of the first things that stuck us when we looked up at the daytime sky here in Sydney was how clean it appeared. No haze at all. That certainly helped our views at night too. I know for sure this will not be my last trip down here. I'm totally taken by Australia. I'm sure NZ will be on my next trip along with Taz too. Next time, I may not go back.

Don Down Under

[wavelandscott]

dwyman,

Glad you enjoyed the trip!

You are right, it is glorious here in Australia.

I grew up in Indiana (Purdue Grad), lived in the Midwest and also California and the clarity of the sky here is amazing by comparison.

I've been "down under" for almost 4 years now and not a clear day or night goes by when I am not "wowed" by the views...

As you learned from your trip, when you get out into the bush it can and does get truly dark at night...a far cry from most of the US...

Anyway, hope your trip back home was a good one...enjoy "spring" in the Midwest...

[gbeal]

Hi Don,
yes, make NZ a target next time. It is neat to catch up with others you write to.
Gary

[dwyman]

Sitting in LAX right now. Had a great flight. New Zealand is definitely on my list for next trip.