Highest observatory in Australia

[strongmanmike]

Anyone know how high the highest optical observatory (amateur or pro) in Australia is and where it is..?

Mike

[Rainmaker]

A private observatory in the Tinderry Mountains near Michelago is at approx 1500m asl.

[benklerk]

Blue Mountains Observatory in Leura is about 950m.
http://www.bluemountainsobservatory.com.au/index.html

I used to work for them.

My backyard observatory in Katoomba is 930m.

[Terry B]

My observatory is at 1100m.
UNE observatory is at 1085 according to google maps.

[multiweb]

Pic du Kosciuszko :P

[Visionary]

That's incredibly high for our fair brown land, is it also a ski resort?

[jahnpahwa]

Its a craggy outcrop of fairly spectacular rock slab between Canberra and Cooma. I've "run" a traverse in winter, and can tell you that the Tinderrys are fertile ground for wattle saplings and feral pigs. And yes, there is a bit of snow, but the "fight through it" type, not the "ski on it" type :thumbsup:

[astro744]

Tinderry Peak is 1619m. Can see Telstra Tower on Black Mountain on a clear day (maybe 50-60km line of sight not sure exactly). Was last there 1980 and found a jar of Minties no doubt left by a previous expedition.

The Brindabella mountains are 200-300m higher than Tinderry; unsure if there are any private observatories there.

The Orroral laser station is at 1349.887m. Does this count?

See https://cddis.nasa.gov/sgp_sitecat/orro_home.html

[N1]

Interesting thread. It begs the question why there isn't anything in places like Charlotte Pass - too much LP I gather? Was there over 20 years ago and thought that wouldn't be too bad for an astro site. :question:

[astro744]

It has more to do with good quality air on more nights of the year. Siding Springs is only 1165m but has good steady seeing. Dark site still preferred than not.

[sheeny]

Mine's only 1125m.


:)


Al.

[strongmanmike]

Interesting, we haven't really got any high optical observatories in Oz huh..?

So far, sounds like there might be one in the Tinderry range at near 1500m (?) but Siding Spring at around 1150m seems about it, at least for verifiable altitude operating optical astronomical observatories..? :shrug:

Tinderry Peak would be cool to setup on :)

Mike

[strongmanmike]

Yeah I remember you posted some photos of your then new place, I think?.. oh about 10 or more years ago..?? Where are you again Al?

Mike

[billdan]

Mt Tidbinbilla is at 1580m and only 60Km from Canberra.

Can you drive up to the summit does anyone know?

[jahnpahwa]

Mt Franklin is a bit higher, has a nice "chalet" there, can drive right to it, heaps of flat ground there and a clearing. I'd be up a mission for sure!
Billdan, Mt Tidbinbilla is a bit of an epic to get to the summit.
Mt Corree summit is also drive able in a forester or more, flat on top, and some climbing for the arvo/morning ��

[strongmanmike]

I'd be happy with an observatory at around the 1500m mark or so :)

Mike

[john guy]

Just reading post as to highest in australia, I must be close at the other end as my observatory at mgraths hill NSW is a grand 18metres
cheers

[sheeny]

I'm about 10kms south of Oberon.


Al.

[strongmanmike]

Ah yeah, nice spot :thumbsup:

Mike

[Rerouter]

Oberon is already 1100m above sea level, not too hard to find a hill to setup on out there :)

[muletopia]

JP


Many years ago I used to go climbing at Mt Corree, some interesting and challenging climbs. But I think your vehicle reccommendation is extreme.
An 850 Mini went up easily, in reverse.
Chris :lol:

[jahnpahwa]

Haha! Must've had some good conditions :) do you remember parking on top or at the last bend? That last 30m or so is the crux :thumbsup:

[muletopia]

JA
To the top beside the lookout tower