Look out places in Brisbane

[Chaitanyag]

Hi Guys,
I have always been fascinated by astronomy and just got my first
telescope. I was wondering if there are any convenient places in/near
Brisbane (Australia) to set it up and star gaze for a while. Mt.Cootha
seems like an ideal place, but i don't know exactly where to set it
up.. the lookout point seems too crowded and bright.

Do any of the brisbanites know of any nice spots on the mountain or any
other places a short drive from brisbane? Are there any groups, clubs
that I can join?

I was also wondering if the rest of you can point me to any good
introductory books/dvds/tutorials etc.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing and conversing with all
of you soon.

Bye

[DrewR]

Hey mate, i was going to head up to Mt Coo-tha tonight and take some pictures, i was just unsure if the city lights would block out seeing the comit as you said. I would be more than happy to tag along if someone can tell me the time it will be passing over Brisbane today, tues th 23rd and if it's going to be very visable.

The only place i could think of was Mt Cootha. OR Mt. Gravatt.

[iceman]

Hi guys

:welcome: to IIS! There's quite a few active brisbane members of IIS, so i'm sure they'll respond soon with the best viewing places.

I believe most of them take the trip out to Cambroon for some more serious dark skies each new moon or third quarter. It's a REALLY good idea to go along with them - big scopes, knowledgeable people and great company.

[Dennis]

Generally, Brisbane is quite light polluted for viewing or imaging fainter objects such as galaxies and nebulae. However, for the Moon and Planets (and bright comets!) Brisbane is okay because these objects are so bright the effects of local light pollution are negligible.

There are several clubs in Brisbane, I am a member of the Brisbane Astronomical Society (http://www.bas.asn.au/) and we meet at a dark sky site at Hazeldene some 120km (1hr 10min) drive NW of Brisbane. The BAS website provides links to the other clubs; SEQAS, SAS, AAQ, RAS, ATMQ.

Mt Coot-tha provides a great E and S horizon but is quite light polluted and full of tourists. The BAS holds monthly public viewing sessions up there for the tourists and locals.

I would not recommend Mt Gravatt if you are alone – it has a reputation of being unsafe and I have heard of at least one bashing up there. If you are in a group of people, it might be okay.

Cheers

Dennis

[jjjnettie]

If you live close to Redcliffe, try Woody Point Jetty or the old Hornibrook Bridge. You can look back to the west over Bramble Bay and see the comet over a near flat horizon.
Welcome to IIS.

[Dennis]

Thanks for that snippet jjj - can you park near the old bridge so you can lug gear onto it, or is it a long walk? (where long means >0.5km).

Thanks!

Dennis

[jjjnettie]

On the Redcliffe side of the Hornibrook, you need to immediatly turn left on the roundabout and park in the parking lot.
The Brighton end, before going on the bridge, turn left at the lights, follow the twisty road a little way to the parking area.
The Redcliffe end is much safer, more lights where the cars are.
Watch out for fishing hooks and other mucky stuff associated with fishing.

If your keen, your most welcome to come up my way and take in the comet from nearly dark skies.

[Dennis]

Thanks jjj - we'll scope this out, maybe this weekend. :thumbsup:

Cheers

Dennis

[John Saunders]

Talking about the Brighton-Redcliffe area, I live at Bracken Ridge and have found along the water front at the park on the Brisbane side of the Hornibrook to be very good.

Coming along the Deagon Deviation, turn right at the lights before the bridge, go past the park on your left and take the first left toward the water. At the end of the street there is a large car park, plenty of houses nearby (for security), but it is reasonably dark enough and has a good view for 360 degrees above 10 degrees on the house side...but absolutley down to the horizon on the ocean side. Another good thing is I can park the car, open the back, pull out the scope, and set up within 10m. It means I can leave the laptop running in the back of the car and still refer to it without worrying about it sprouting legs.

Oh, take plenty of mozzie rep - the other night the little buggers were savage and I just managed to view Saturn before they carried me away, multiple layers of "Rid" and all. Good thing is it's not usually like that there.

A good site, close to town. :)

[jjjnettie]

John,
Some advice from an X-Brighton girl.
Please be careful if you are going to be down at Decker Park on your own. There are a lot of unsavory characters that frequent the park.
I had a friend and his very pregnant wife attacked down there. It was a near tragedy, the knife missed his heart but punctured his lung.

[GrahamL]

My brother in law lives out mt cotton way and surpriseingly the night sky
is fairly good , Redland bay also looked ok , but as mentioned parks ,lookouts etc have some pretty obvious problems .

[John Saunders]

To jjjnettie,

THanks for the advice about the park at Brighton. I've been running along there at night for the last two years and haven't been accosted...yet. Apart from the mozzies, Ive only had two drunk fishermen come up and look through the scope, but I will keep my eyes peeled when I'm down there. Actually, I don't go in the park, it's got too many trees!

Thanks again.

John