That's better

[erick]

For years we've been saying that we must clear some trees from the back yard. Six months into amateur astronomy and, guess what, it's done!

A huge pine (30+m tall) is gone and a couple of scrubby other trees. One large gum tree is left. We like that tree, the planet needs it and I can observe around it.

Now the washing line gets sunshine, the grass will start to grow (when it rains) and I can rake up the 15cm deep pine needles covering much of the yard ever since we moved in.

Here are a few photos of the "bombsite" - craters to be filled and hills to be leveled over the next weeks.

[erick]

......and here is my view of the sky. For the south, I can move the other side of the gum tree, if necessary for higher altitude.

Now to find the magic spot(s) where the few distant street lights are blocked.

It's looking good. :) Now, how to get Melbourne to turn off her lights after sunset??

[nightsky]

G'Day Eric,
Looks as though you've had a few B 52's fly of your area :) it sure cleared the back yard,and opened up a lot of sky,looks like a great spot for a Observatory:P
Cheers
Arthur

[erick]

For a while I've thought - a bushfire would be most welcome in my backyard!

[ballaratdragons]

SKY!!!!!!

:eyepop:

:thumbsup:

[erick]

Just went out and had a look (tripping over pinecones and falling into holes :D) - it's suburban-bright, but I can see plenty of sky now - and I can find some spots where the few streetlights are blocked. :thumbsup: