Largest telescope in Queensland

[OneCosmos]

Hi,


I was asked today by an IIS member: "
Is your 28in the biggest amateur scope in Aus? What f number is it?"


I already know for sure that Nocturne (28" f/3.8 SDM#102) is not the largest in Australia, not by some margin, but in Queensland, perhaps if you add the qualifier 'in private hands' possibly.


I know Charleville has the 30" SDM formerly owned by Peter Robbins, but does anyone know of any other telescopes in Queensland with a larger diameter?


Chris

[david booth]

asv has a 40 inch in victoria

[Zubenel]

You're odds on FAV Chris!!.:D:thumbsup::eyepop::) ( Can't believe there isn't a DOB emoji !!)

[OneCosmos]

Looks that way. I have certainly done everything possible to make it as portable as possible. The only real limitation is those sites where I can’t drive the trailer onto the observing spot. I’d be keen to go to say Moogerah. I have this feeling though, from the one and only time I have been there (with the much more manoeuvrable 16”), that I had to park on the road and wheel the rocker box quite a way to the grassy area. That would be much more difficult, potentially not even possible with the 28”. Does anyone who has been there know?

Chris

[mura_gadi]

Hello,

If you don't mind adding a bit more to the drive, about 1:40 hrs+, not sure with trailer though... Try up around flat creek (off north branch road and cunningham highway), bitumen road just about the whole way and 550mtrs, just the other side of the ranges.


Camping from $22 a night, one site looked open.


Steve

Might offer a chance to book the site solo as well. It has loo's!

https://www.hipcamp.com/en-AU/queensland/gleneden-family-farm-and-bullock-team/dairy-flat-creekside-camping#arrive=2022-03-02&depart=2022-03-03&group_size=1&adults=1

[gaseous]

I recall Moogerah as being a bit painful to lug stuff around from the carpark to the observing area on the lower observing area due to the bollards, and that's just getting stuff out of the back of a ute. A vehicle with a substantial trailer trying to back up is going to block the driveway access around the carpark (from memory) and be orders of magnitude more annoying. Less accessible from a regular permission/star party perspective, but much more easily accessible in terms of setting up a large scope, is Watt's Bridge Airfield, where you may have already been. Basically park where you want and set up right next to your vehicle.

[OneCosmos]

Thanks -all good information. I have indeed been to Watts Bridge Airfield and yes, there is plenty in of space but I’m keen on a bit of public outreach too and exclusive sites don’t lend themselves to that.

Chris

[Zubenel]

There is also the mystery of what happened to the first mirror from Petes 30". Never to be seen again :shrug::question::question:

[astroron]

There are at least two and maybe more in the 28" class and bigger
in Queensland, but their owners choose to keep their presence out
of the "public" eye.
Remote observatories etc.;)
Cheers:thumbsup: