Good observational spots in Melbourne

[Nebs]

Can anyone suggest some good, dark observational spots in Melbourne? I've been going to Mt Dandenong but I have to say, it's not the most welcoming place at night :scared2:

Last week I went to Williamstown beach which provided some OK viewing but obviously not good enough.

So any suggestions? Ideally somewhere not too far away from Melbourne would be good, but an occasional trip a little further is also OK.

[erick]

Sadly, no! Now you can find places without any direct lights in view, BUT the skyglow is somewhere from severe to significant, anywhere within 50km of the outskirts!

As you seem to have discovered, security can also be a significant concern.

If you want to stay within 40-50km , then you have to put the city on the opposite side to where you want to do your viewing that evening. So you really need to identify a few sites, N, S, E and W.

If you do get 50km away and get away from main roads, you can locate suitable places. There is one commercial venue and there are some club sites available.

To really enjoy the stars, you really need to drive for about an hour from the outskirts.

PM me if you want some of my humble suggestions.

Maybe others will feel I'm being too harsh on Melbourne :P

[Campus Dweller]

You can never be too hard on Melbourne:rofl:

Just leaving work, so won't be able to read any vitriolic responses until tomorrow:D.

[skairey]

Try Macedon Ranges Observatory, www.darksky.net.au (http://www.darksky.net.au)
They also have a few good events coming up including John Dobson in March, check out the door prize! Free hold title land, Sirius home observatory and Meade 8" LX200R. :prey:

My brother lives at Macedon and it's dark as.

[goober]

Good question - I'm still looking :)

In Melbourne ... no chance of dark spots, I fear.

I've been to the Briars near Mornington a few times, not bad, but not great. Glow to the northwest.

I have tried two visits into the Dandenongs - bit unnerving. A lot of traffic at my site seemed to stop, make some sort of transaction, and depart quickly. :rolleyes:

I've been given a few other suggestions which I'll try out. I also want to get up to Macedon and see what that's like, too.

[erick]

Trading eyepieces? :confuse3:

[astro_nutt]

I go to the road just outside the Kalkallo Cemetery just off the Hume Highway...only the odd car comes along and you do have some skyglow from Melbourne plus the lights from the hotel about 500 metres away..for this reason I set up a blind for any stray light..it's not perfect but only 25 kays from home!
Cheers!

[SkySearcher]

Outside the cemetery; sounds like fun :scared2:


:wink2:

[shootin' star]

It's a bit of a problem isn't it.
I've often thought about driving out beyond Yarra Glen way perhaps for a look, but being a petite female I am a bit worried about being all alone out the middle of 'nowhere' late at night. I'm not scared of the dark, just the the nutcases who might be lurking out there as well.

[erick]

Hence clubs and observing nights with lots of people. Shootin' star - think about the MPAS site at the Briars on a public night.

I have to admit, my best observing is done when I am all alone in the dark, so I try to find places to reduce any risk when I want to be alone. However, I am a reasonably big lump of a male, and maybe have less to worry about? :rolleyes:

How about a couple of us get together and head into the distant Dandenongs - I know a relatively close venue I feel fairly safe at - but i have to pick the nights that sporting clubs aren't there. (I don't lurk - but many do think I'm a nutcase! :D )

[goober]

It's a great idea - I've often thought about that myself. Two is safer than one, etc. After just coming inside from a session in the back yard with both neighbours outside lights on the whole time ... :sadeyes: ... I need some regular dark!

[tnbk00]

There are a couple of places I have tried out in the Dandenongs, the arboretum behind the olinda golf course is not too bad, but the trick is to keep away from the dusty dirt road, I'm always on the look out for new spots around there, and I know of a couple more in Olinda that I am keen to check out. I am interested in getting together for new moon nights in that area if anyone else is then PM me.

Actually on second thoughts another place I was considering checking out, was some of the farm land out the back of lilydale, ie go and check that the farmers dont mind first and then herd the cows out of the way......cows know a good observing spot i've heard ;)

Daniel

[Tannehill]

The MPAS site is user-friendly, as is the company, and reasonable drive from Melbourne. But yes, good but not great, especially anywhere north of zenith. (being a Norte Americano, I do not look north of -20 declination anyway....so it's no matter to me).

Unless I get a burst of energy I think I'll be unable to head up to Snake Valley this weekend, and may find myself at MPAS tomorrow or Sat night (looks more like Sat night from weather report). If you are interested in evaluating the site, feel free to PM me or just show up..if it's clear I'm sure there will be folks out there, you can introduce yourself to whoever there....

scott

[vespine]

oh cool, this is the thread i was looking for, i'm going to drive out to the MPAS site on saturday night, have been there a few times but not very recently. Looking forward to it, here's hoping for good seeing, i'm on a mission to Mars! ;)

[damnfine]

As someone just starting out this is a good topic for me as well..

How about flinders , specifically the golf course?..I was down there a few weeks back and found a spot about 40 meters from the road where you can sit amongst some small shrubs and be invisible from the road..
Only issue is some trees nearby that block up to about 20% and also the fact that your on a golf course. Though this spot is about 20 meters form the fairway so i am not sure anyone would care too much???
There are plenty of spots close to the road if your not worried about hoons mugging you..
Though is being so close to the sea a big issue(as i said just starting out so know fa)??

I am also looking around the neerim- noojee area as that according to the light pollution map is out of the blue and into the grey area so fairly dark..With the pakenham bypass it should only be an hour - 1:10 for me to get home so not too far..That may be another option.

[tnbk00]

I know some good spots round noojee. Head out the loch valley rd, there is a camping area called the poppolas (as in the tree...not bad spelling) anyway that could be ok depending on how many peeps were there. Flinders bit too far for me, and i guess MPAS is to until the new fwy opens.

[rmcconachy]

For somewhere quick to get to from the eastern suburbs the gravel entrance road into the Coldstream airfield isn't too bad if you don't want to look at anything in the west (towards the city). However, being in a slight hollow it does fog out easily.

[kitty]

Hi Erik. i met you at an observing night at Glen Waverley last year. i would be really interested if you can get a few together to venture into the Dandenongs.
Like Shooting Star, i don't like to venture away on my own at night & my other half has to get up too early for work to hang out too late, i start later than him. i am in Ferntree Gully. kitty

[bojan]

I used one spot (with car park) in Kallista (near arboretum) couple of times, it is reasonable as far as LP is concerned...
Never had a problem with other visitors (only once I was asked for a spare cigarette) and apart from car or two with people with particular 1/2 hour business, it is pretty isolated.
I even organized star gazing party for my work mates there and we spend a very pleasant evening...
Perhaps couple of us can try it out next new moon?

[erick]

Often difficult to organise such ad-hoc observing groups, but we can only try.

I guess the possible weekends are 1-3 Feb and 8-10 Feb. I have some of those evenings free, I hope. Fri 8th is Snake Valley club night (sadly I'm busy that night).

Maybe boojan's location? Maybe another?

[tnbk00]

I would be interested in attending. Kallista is not too far from me., perhaps the 1-3 would be a good weekend. Boojan can you post a google maps of the site you have in mind so we can meet there.

[bojan]

It is Johns Hill reserve, Mel 124, K11.

edit:
How about this weekend? Moon will still be very young...

[erick]

Yes, I know this place - a good location to set up beside one's car. Still a fair amount of light from Melbourne, but better than this side of the Dandenongs! Neighbour's dog might bark at you!

Sorry, not this weekend for me. I'll still overseas looking at Polaris and the Big Dipper :D

[tnbk00]

Im interested in saturday if your keen. We could do it as a recon mission and report on the site.

[mick pinner]

if anyone is interested, l live in Monbulk in the Dandenongs and know a few fairly good locations. lf anyone wants to have a recon they can let me know.

[tnbk00]

Well im keen for this sat night. Perhaps we could meet at the kallista spot and work it out from there. Does that sound ok to people? what are your suggestions for monbulk Mick? I went to school up there so I know the area reasonably well!

Daniel

[mick pinner]

l have some friends with reasonably dark properties that we could use for an organised get together.

[bojan]

How about Friday, Feb 1st ?
I will try to organize gathering for my work mates, usually there are 5-6 people there....

[erick]

I'm a possible for Fri 1st. Will know for sure mid next week.

[StarLane]

I'm jealous of you people with clear skies.
I havn't seen a perfect clear sky in months, not sure when it will clear. Not worth organising an observing night.
Might be OK out west???, but the coast has been clouded in for months. Never had such a bad run of weather.

[PhilW]

I'm also a possible for Friday 1st Feb, assuming I don't have anything else leap onto my calendar. I could be persuaded to come out to the far east with either bino or cyclops.

[erick]

Bojan, you are proposing Johns Hill reserve, Mel 124, K11?

[goober]

I've observed there - quite windy! Fair bit of "traffic" too, as it's a lookout view over the lights of Melbourne.

[bojan]

Yes, Johns Hill it is..
Well, there is a bit of traffic and "traffic" but not too much (one or two cars max in hour or so earlier in the evening), considering it is a public place, so .... To escape the lights of Melbourne and subs, 120km away is not enough, and this is only 50 or so.... but, better something than nothing :-)
Of course all depends on weather..

[erick]

I went there one evening, relatively late (10:30pm +) No traffic at all. Half a dozen of us looking like a military or terrorist training camp (red lights, rocket launchers etc.) should discourage visitors!

[peterbat]

With any luck I'll have the new mount finished for my Lightbridge 16 by then. If so, then I'll be there as well...

[bojan]

Wow... :-) I hope weather will be OK

[dannat]

is it on for this friday(1st)? if so can someone please supply a map or written instructions how to get there?
thanks daniel

[goober]

Melways 124, K11.

I'm not sure if it's on or not - I'd like to get up there, work permitting.

[erick]

I guess we can decide when we look at the weather forecast - sometime around Thursday afternoon. :rain: Current forecast is for a sunny Friday with partly cloudy at night, 17 deg C min, winds light at 9 k/h.

The Melway reference is all that you need - Map 124, K11 "Johns Hill Reserve". If coming from Belgrave and turning left at the corner of School Road (124 E11, coming in on the right), don't go up Jacksons Hill Road - it is narrow, steepish and unsealed. Bear left up Grantulla Road, then turn right into Ridge Road at E8. Then it's a short drive along the ridge to the Reserve. :driving:

The road becomes unsealed soon after the entry (on the right) into the small carpark. It may be just as easy to park on the side of the road - I probably will since I think I have to tow a trailer with the 12". There are some picnic tables close to the carpark. You can easily set up on the bitumen carpark or on the grass of the park. :stargaze::astron:

Plan your targets for N, E and S. West will be fairly well lit by Melbourne skyglow.

ps. As I recall, no toilets at the reserve. :ashamed:

[goober]

Yep, no loos.

What time are people likely to arrive? I probably can't get there until after dark, which won't be popular if people are on the field. I know turning right into the reserve, you flood the reserve with white headlight beams.

[Starkler]

Hows the sky vis? Trees etc?

[Stephen65]

I may be able to make it:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/183/johnshillreservegb9.jpg

[erick]

I'll try to be there around 8:30 - but it depends when I get away from work and can get packed up.

I recall that there's a streetlight as you are coming up to the reserve - after dark, drivers should be able to drop to park lights as they get close. Don't worry - this is not a "dark sky" site!

[erick]

"sky vis"? How dark, Geoff - is that your question? Well, it's not particularly dark. I reckon LMC/SMC visible, but not much better.

"trees" As I recall, you should be able to set up to be fairly well clear of trees to N, E and S.

[goober]

No trees to the west (lights though), south and east. From memory there is a line of trees along the road to the north, which probably blocks the horizon to about 30 degrees up (just guessing).

[erick]

Here we go - Google Earth location. (I'm cheating - rename the file to a .kmz file and drop into Google Earth! Hope that works.)

Perhaps there is more unsealed than I remember? However, you can see where the trees are. The oblique view is not correct - the road is at the highest elevation, so you look down the hill to the north-east.

[bojan]

A picture is worth a thousand words..
So here we have 2000 ;)
North and South-west view, taken from the road. From the actual site the North direction will be a little bit covered with trees but up to 15 degrees, not much more, and there are only couple of bigger ones... Clouds might be a bigger problem....

[bojan]

Erick, did you mean "rename the file to a .zip then unzip then.. " :-)

[erick]

Actually no, it is a .kmz file format, which is the format of a Google Earth coordinates file (I think). Cause the forum wouldn't accept that, I just renamed it to .txt and attached. I did experiment afterwards - I saved the attachment, renamed it back to .kmz, double clicked on it and it fired up Google Earth and went to Johns Hill Reserve. I hope it works for others.

Thanks for the images. As places close to the city go, it's pretty good for North and South, and not bad to the East. And if you are not interested in anything under 40 deg elevation, you'll be smiling!

[bojan]

This is interesting, because if you rename it to .zip, you can unzip it and you will find doc.kml in it... which looks like xml script or something..
Hmmm, it seems that we hacked something here :-)
This is what it looks like:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<kml xmlns="http://earth.google.com/kml/2.2">
<Document>
<name>Johns Hill Reserve.kmz</name>
<Style id="sn_ylw-pushpin_copy1">
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<scale>1.1</scale>
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<href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/pushpin/ylw-pushpin.png</href>
</Icon>
<hotSpot x="20" y="2" xunits="pixels" yunits="pixels"/>
</IconStyle>
</Style>
<StyleMap id="msn_ylw-pushpin_copy1">
<Pair>
<key>normal</key>
<styleUrl>#sn_ylw-pushpin_copy1</styleUrl>
</Pair>
<Pair>
<key>highlight</key>
<styleUrl>#sh_ylw-pushpin_copy1</styleUrl>
</Pair>
</StyleMap>
<Style id="sh_ylw-pushpin_copy1">
<IconStyle>
<scale>1.3</scale>
<Icon>
<href>http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/kml/pushpin/ylw-pushpin.png</href>
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<hotSpot x="20" y="2" xunits="pixels" yunits="pixels"/>
</IconStyle>
</Style>
<Placemark>
<name>Johns Hill Reserve</name>
<LookAt>
<longitude>145.4165668027909</longitude>
<latitude>-37.91382153711641</latitude>
<altitude>0</altitude>
<range>814.6892581413301</range>
<tilt>6.458405790373704e-011</tilt>
<heading>-0.2607321028898606</heading>
</LookAt>
<styleUrl>#msn_ylw-pushpin_copy1</styleUrl>
<Point>
<coordinates>145.4171947860611,-37.91298909822448,0</coordinates>
</Point>
</Placemark>
</Document>
</kml>

[erick]

Hey that is interesting. I guess Google Earth creates a .kml file which contains the location details, then zips it to a .kmz file for emailing etc. Google Earth unzips the .kmz? However, as long as it takes people to the location in Google Earth. :)

Nice rain at the moment - going to clear the air nicely, clear tonight, dry out tomorrow giving us Fri/Sat/Sun nights with glorious observing! Any complaints about Melbourne weather now? :thumbsup:

[bojan]

Nope :thumbsup:

[peterbat]

I've had this problem with a couple of Joomla sites that I've developed. It is possible to have the custom mime types added the server so that Google Earth files will open properly. Delving into my notes, on my server I had to add the following:
AddType application/vnd.google-earth.kml+xml kml
AddType application/vnd.google-earth.kmz kmz

Off topic, I guess, but it might be info that the admins might like to know, if they don't already...


Kirsty and I will be there - but first we're going to stop off at an Indian restaurant in Knox that we used to frequent when we lived up that way. Looking forwards to the food, and the views, and the company :)
Peter

[erick]

OK, it's all systems GO! A little scattered cloud, otherwise lovely weather. No significant cloud forecast, light surface winds, jetstream light and looks to be retreating over Melbourne, minimum 16 deg overnight, still 21 deg at midnight. Rain cleaned dirt from atmosphere, no bushfire smoke!! Too good to be true?

See you there!

[goober]

Looks good - all that cloud I could see at noon seems to have moved off (probably to Berwick).

I'll try and get there around 8:30. If I'm not too intimidated by all the aperture that's threatening to turn up, I may get my scope out of the boot :lol:

I also want to see how a 12" dob fits into a Lancer.

[bojan]

See you all there...
We may have some other visitors (my work mates).. I hope this will be OK with the rest of you :-)

[PhilW]

I think I can be tempted out too. My wife will be taking the big car tonight to her function, so you'll also get to see how a 14" can be squished into a Honda Jazz (& not stick out the sunroof, that would be cheating).

Transparency last night in inner Melbourne was exceptional btw - a good omen.

[PhilW]

I believe a good time was had by all last night. It was a reasonably dark sky, provided you didn't look too far down to the west, & it was dark enough to see some brighter galaxies (eg the pair 1549 & 1553 in Dorado).

I am also going to nominate myself for the 'acrobatic agility' award - I cleverly tripped over Doug's observing chair in the dark while carrying my Ethos. Eyepiece & carrier both unharmed. :D

[dannat]

Yeah I had a great time - special thanks to eric for letting me look through his binos, we even got to enjoy a fireworks display sth melb somewhere.
Quite a good turnout i thought.:thumbsup:

[goober]

Good night - great to meet Eric, Phil, Peterbat, Daniel, Bojan, and all the others I shook hands with.

I tip my hat to Phil, who made sure his Ethos was okay before checking himself out.

I'll post a report in the Obs Reports forums when I remember exactly what I saw. Phil is a great tour guide for the fainter stuff.

[bojan]

It was a great night, and even better company, I enjoyed every second of it. Phil was a competent guide for a deep sky stuff and 16" Lightbridge was simply stunning...
I hope we will do this again some time soon, not necessarily at the same place...

[erick]

Hey, thanks everyone. That was great - to get together. I was busy getting more familiar with my 12" and showing visitors some sights so, by the time I started to walk around, everyone seemed to be packing up! Great to see new observers marvel at Saturn and our lovely southern globulars.

I did manage to slip in a couple of new observations - Comet 8P/Tuttle (well, I hadn't seen it before Friday evening!!) and the double x Velorum. That really is a southern Albireo - lovely.

I was last out of the car park - still perfecting getting the 12" OTA and base into an open trailer in a secure way so they don't bounce out!

Any photos? I saw some being taken - FLASH! Woops, there goes NGC 5128 for half an hour!

[laika]

Thanks all for a great evening.
The 16" lightbridge was a beast to behold and the views with the Ethos eyepiece fitted were fantastic.
The evening got of to a good start with a group observing an Iridian Flare at around 9.30.
Thanks Phil for helping me locate the galaxy cluster in Dorado and also for pointing out the blue planetry nebula near the Southern Cross, a first for me.

A very enjoyable evening and well attended I hope another can be organized again soon.

[goober]

Have to add that double to my targets list.



I have to ask - what were the bricks for? I saw them come out of the trailer, but didn't see where they went. Keep the base of the dewy ground?

[erick]

Yes, unless I can set up on a nice big level piece of concrete (*), I prefer to get the base off the muddy, wet ground (well it is much of the year here in Victoria) so I use three half bricks - not the wirecut ones, but the ones with the groove in the face. They are perfect fit for the GSO dob base feet. I also hope they provide a more solid foundation, but a rubber foot stuck down in the mud is probably better than half a brick compressing an area of grass.


* - yes I know there is a theory that setting up on a slab of concrete, or even worse, bitumen, is risking thermals in the local air for some hours, but I will go with concrete as a solid, clean, dew-free base - and one on which I can roll around on my gas lift chair. Nothing worse than getting bogged in my office chair on the observing field!

[SkySearcher]

Looks like you all had fun. Wish I could have been there!! Definitely will next time.

I went to a park just near there not long back but had to set up on the drive way (entrance), as the gates were already closed when I got there. Pretty good skys to the south east.

[peterbat]

Here are a few photos I took on the night... before dark, and then the camera was put away - I've blinded myself previously by holding the camera up to the eyepiece and having the flash go off unexpectedly :screwy:

It was a great night, and there were far more people there than these photos suggest...

Peter

[goober]

Good shots, Peter. It looks rather empty ... an hour later the place was packed :)

[NCRAW]

Hi Guys!!

Looking for a gathering like this. Anyone doing another one in Melbourne soon?

My scope should be arriving soon and hoping to go out with a mob of scopes just to learn, have fun and compare.

I'm also considerign making a 3 hour trip to Stawell near the Grampians where my parents live. The sky is super dark there and people are friendly and very lil weirdos walkin around

[bojan]

I am all for it :-)
Perhaps, in 3 weeks (next new moon), same place, same time?

[NCRAW]

Is it Thursday night? or people planning to catch up on the weekend?

Thur is ok for me. I should get all my gear by then and spend sometime doing some self learning at home. My only issue will be getting portable power supply. I got a wall mounted transformer for my HEQ5Pro.

Hope u all wont mind the many questions i will be asking!! :D

[bojan]

Last time it was Friday night (so people could have some rest next morning).
We can do it Saturday night as well... it all depends on weather (and how many people are interested).

[NCRAW]

Prefer Sat but I can do Fri if thats what everyone wants.

[peterbat]

I'd be interested in going up there again.
Are you thinking of Friday 27 or Saturday 28 Feb?
I'm probably only going to be able to come on the Saturday...

Peter

[bojan]

Saturday is OK with me.

[dannat]

Sounds great, if anyone has a pair of 15x70 ultra or MB I would be very greatful :D for a look as I am looking at buying a pair

[chrisp9au]

I hesitate to suggest this, because I don't want to raise expectations or open any flood gates!
I live on a 5 acre property 4km north of Kyneton with power available and fairly dark skies. Actually only a few km from the Macedon Ranges Observatory. My location is on my signature below, check it out on Google Earth. Fairly good skyline in most directions, especially if we lock the horses up! LP not too bad, Melbourne is masked by Mt Macedon, bit of a glow to the NW from Bendigo.
I'm thinking I could host the occasional star gazing night?
Maybe somebody with a bit of experience in these things would like to come up and check out the site, see whether it would be suitable?
haven't mentioned it to my wife as yet, but I am sure she would support me with this!
The downside is I would have to tidy up my shed!
Let me know what you think?
Cheers
Chris

[dannat]

Chris, sounds good to me - what do others think

[erick]

Yes, Chris, I would be interested - as you said, occasionally, if I'm available. A bit over an hour to your place from mine, according to Google Maps.

[bojan]

If I go out of Melbourne, usually I go to Daylesford (a friend of mine has a farm close to it) and the skies are pretty good.. So I imagine Chris's location is also similar, if not even better (there are some annoying trees on that farm) :-)
Yes, I am for it, especially if there are more people there..
However, I am not sure for the end of this month, since it is almost 2 hours driving for me... and John's Hill is only 45 minutes.. (however it does not compare in darkness to any of those darker locations..)

[chrisp9au]

G'day Bojan,
I work in Daylesford at the hospital, I'd love to see you up at my place in Kyneton, if only to say thank you for the job you have done. Bit late getting home last night so the PO was closed! I owe you a drink too! The end of this month is the ASV Messier night at Heathcote, maybe we could plan a night in March?
Cheers
Chris

[GrampianStars]

G'day Chris
I've been to MRO not too bad sky bright from the south (Melb)
so if you have a mountain blocking Melbourne
I would confidently say better sky :thumbsup:
would need to be an over-night session
as your 2 hours away via some dubious back roads

[bojan]

No worries Chris, it was a pleasure to help :-)
We will certainly have a drink some times in the near future :-)

[chrisp9au]

You're right, a long way from the Grampians! But there's plenty of space to pitch a tent.

I would imagine you have darker skies over your way, why not host a night yourself?
Horsham, Stawell and Ararat can't throw too much of a glow?

At home there is a bit of sky glow from Melbourne, but most useful observing is above 30° altitude so no real problems. One thing I have realised is that my site is not really suitable for imaging, there are a lot of planes visible heading into Tullamarine, almost non stop over to the east, but MRO would have the same problem.

Cheers
Chris

[GrampianStars]

:D forgot about that particularly when they put on their searchlights :eyepop:

[peterbat]

Hi Chris,
Kyneton sounds good to me - not that much difference in time from Thornbury to Kyneton or to the back of the Dandenongs.

Has a decision been made?
Kyneton or Johns Hill Reserve?
Friday 27 or Saturday 28 Feb?

I can only come on Saturday, but don't let me stop it from happening on Friday if more people are available then...
Peter

[chrisp9au]

Peter,

The weekend of Feb 28th is the ASV's Messier Night at Heathcote, so I'm thinking we'll organise a night sometime in March. Working full time, I would prefer a Saturday night. Full moon is March 9th, so probably Saturday March 21st or 28th. Let' set a tentative date of the 28th March?, that avoids a clash with a family birthday on the previous weekend!

Clear skies!
Chris

[dannat]

I would like to goto the messier party at ASV also, I would like to see what i can snag with binos - am buying some 15x70 ultras..

March would be good

[erick]

For info - Mar 28 is Snake Valley Astro Camp weekend.

[chrisp9au]

Eric,
OK, the 28th is out, I might just try to come down to Snake Valley on the 28th, others might like to think that too.
There is no rush on this, we'll find a date that suits everyone that doesn't clash with other events.
Chris

[peterbat]

OK,
anyone interested in going up to Johns Hill Reserve on Saturday 28 Feb?

Peter

[bojan]

Me :-)

I may also try to organise some of my work mates (like I did last year).. more, the merrier :-)

Of course it all depends on weather.. In the past, when ever I tried to organise something like that, it was raining that day..
I even considered to offer my rain-making abilities to farmer's association, but they were not interested :-)

[erick]

My apologies for 28 Feb - It's a long drive for me now :)

If I didn't have another commitment that evening, I'd be heading for Snake Valley which is now much closer! :D

Have fun and post pictures.

[pgc hunter]

Chris - I am interested. Sounds like a good site, a damn sight better than my backyard anyway!

[peterbat]

apart from the possibility of clouds and rain, there may also be a lot of smoke haze. I guess we'll have to play it by ear...

Peter

[mick pinner]

hi Peter, l live about 5 min from there so could meet on the 28th.

[dannat]

Further to this the ASV has re-scheduled the messier party to march 28th, due to bushfire/smoke...so I guess FEb 28 could be back on - then people can go snake valley / ASV in march

what do you think?

[Alchemy]

for those interested theres a park at the end of DEE Rd in MILGROVE, on the southern sides of Mt Ben Cairn/ Donna Buang, its for a new walk along the old aquaduct great open view of the skies a reasonable distance from melbourne, no lights, parking for 15 ish cars, couple of tables. no toilet facilities but trees couple hundred metres away if desperate.

just wait until the fires have passed

Melways 289 A1

[NCRAW]

Im interested in Feb the 28. Johns Hill Reserve sounded good and close. I live around the doncaster area.

[NCRAW]

Isnt there anything good around Hurtsbridge, Sugarloaf reserve, The wineries (like around Yerring station, they would have a great view)

[peterbat]

Hi Mick and ncraw,
should be up there around an hour before dark...
Peter

[pgc hunter]

great, I might make use of this site. So it's free of disturbances and is safe at night?

[DavidU]

I had a look at Johns Hill reserve and it looks good (for a 20min drive for me). I will pop up there if it ever stops raining.

[erick]

Yes David, it's better than the suburbs! West is pretty washed out up high in the sky. East and South is good.

[bojan]

Perhaps I will be there too... when weather permits, most likely Friday, Saturday or Sunday :-)

[DavidU]

sounds good. Perhaps I should PM you if the weather looks good.

[bojan]

I am going there on 18th..
Anyone interested?

[HolyWars]

I think I may have to come out on one of the next outings :)

[bojan]

I was there on 18th..
And we had beautiful weather, almost exactly as forecast by Skippy (http://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/), a bit windy but very clear before the clouds roll in about midnight.

I will try to go there in January, when Moon is out of the way.. and I will certainly let you know :-)

[HolyWars]

Excellent man, sounds good :D

[alistairsam]

hi,
any gathering planned in jan 2010?

I'm in camberwell, have never been to a DSS, been to Briar in mornington.

any updates on good sites in melbourne within 100k from the cbd?

[erick]

There won't be any good dark sky sites within 100km of Melbourne's CBD :sadeyes:

You will need to go at least 100km from Melbourne's outskirts to get to the whole sky being darkish.

[Moon]

The ASV site out at Heathcote is ~120kms from the CDB and is very dark and has power on the field.

[HolyWars]

Good call man, hope to get a response from bo tonight or tmrw for tmrw night. :D I might see if next time (Sat 13th feb or so) if nothing is going on, I will see if the old man is cool (he would be) with perhaps the possibility of a night in Tallarook which is 100km north of Melbourne (up the hume) at his vineyard.....if we have no other places :thumbsup:

[bojan]

I was really looking forward to tonight, but Skippy Sky says it will be cloudy in Melbourne...
http://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/
So nothing of gathering this weekend, at least not for me :sadeyes:

[HolyWars]

yeah its not looking good:(

[bojan]

Anybody going to Johns Hill this sat?

[DavidU]

Sounds good ! I will check with the SHMBO. I can't go to snake valley as there is too much work on so this may be good.

[bojan]

It might be good, according to SkippySky.
I plan to do some wide imaging (with 200mm), as a test for next weekend in Daylesford (if weather permits).

[DavidU]

I went sat night and met Bojan and his lovely wife.I discovered that Bojans daughter was my son's science teacher ! Small world...

[bojan]

It was a pleasant evening :-)

Visibility was quite good, there was a bit of wind earlier in the evening but it stopped around 10PM.

Attached here is the image of Centaurus A, Canon400D +Canon 200mm FD (@F5.6), 8x45sec, ISO1600).

I took couple of wide fields, but they were just tests.. this one is most eye-catching :-)

[alistairsam]

Hi Bojan,

Is there a specific place for viewing in Johns Hill?
can anyone go there for viewing, any restrictions or permissions required?
are there reasonably dark skies there?
turns out its only 35 k from where i live, so sounds ideal.

[bojan]

It is a public lookout, with car park. And it is open 24/7.
It is way darker than Mt Waverley, where I live.. Magellanic clouds are clearly visible when it is dark (however, Melbourne lights still dominate the western horizon).

To illustrate the difference in LP, attached here are two unprocessed RAW frames, one made from Mt Waverley and another one from John's Hill.
Mt Waverley exposure was 30sec, John's Hill was 45sec, all other conditions were the same.

[alistairsam]

Thanks for that. Thats a remarkable difference.
I might make it to Johns hill next sat.
Am headed camping at the Lerderderg park this weekend, hope I can find some dark skies out there.
Do you have any posts on your equipment and what you use for tracking or guiding your scope?
I just completed a portable fork mount for an 8" reflector from wood and will post it in the equipment threads.

[bojan]

I do, see below (it seems some of older posts disappeared..)
Las Sat I was using just this small mount.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=45079
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=12171

[andrew_d_cool]

Hello All,

Those folk interested in how out from a city Light Pollution reaches may be interested in this webpage :- http://tinyurl.com/y9wwm9e

from the Adelaide Dark Sky Group.

Here I have modelled Light Pollution (LP) using Walker's law for 200km around Adelaide.

The model results compare favourably with the Atlas of Light Pollution at

http://www.lightpollution.it/download/mondo_ridotto0p25.gif


Regards,

Andrew Cool
www.skippysky.com.au (http://www.skippysky.com.au)

[bojan]

I am heading for Johns Hill tonight.. anybody?

[DavidU]

One of the kids is sick but I will try to get there.I want to take the 12".

[bojan]

Was there but finished earlier (dew and timer malfunctioned during imaging, probably battery..)
Sorry if I missed you :-)

[DavidU]

I did not get there. Daughter is suffering chronic asthma.

[bojan]

I am sorry to hear that.. I hope she will be better soon :-)

[aokman]

i shall have to sample this place :) ive been up around monbulk etc but still get people coming in. Bayswater is ok for me but its useless most nights.

I also know there are plenty of open sites up near the dams on Wellington road though ive never been to them at night?

[Songbird]

Hello! besides it not being a 100% safe place, is Mt Dandenong a good place to go star viewing? I want somewhere close to Melb too.. don't want to drive out too far..

[PeterHA]

The Johns Hill Reserve at Ridge Rd. near Kalista is the best spot around there I know of.
I go there sometimes, sky gets to 20.5 - 20.6 and good view of East, South and North.

[duppeydude]

I live in Narre Warre - so pretty far south east from CBD as it is... Can anyone suggest where's good to drive say about an hour from Narre Warren for a good observation spot?

[pdthomas23]

You could try hooking up with the folk at Mount Burnett.
They are not far from you.
They also have an Open Day next weekend (Jan 24)
http://mtburnettobservatory.org/

Peter Thomas
Oakleigh