What is the best location around Sydney to view the night sky?

[Dariusz]

Dear fellow members,

I have a question which I hope you can assist me with.

I like to find the best location(s) to view the night summer/winter sky in NSW. I wish to find the clearest (no light pollution) and most spectacular viewing of the night sky under camping conditions without the use of a telescope etc.

The reason for the above, is that I wish to take my son (age 4) camping, over Christmas holidays so that he can see the beauty of the sky when view at night (see the full bloom of the milky way, and magnetic clouds, see shooting stars regular, and satellites movement in the sky.

I hope that fellow forum users, can provide locations, camp sites locations etc around the 2-4 hour drive out from Sydney.

Would some ware in the blue mountains, or just pass the mountains, would there be any location there some on can recommend?

Also, when would you expect the best viewing to occur (ie. Cloudless night, in the middle of the night, on a new moon?)

I look forward to any responses, and I thank you in advance.

Kind Regards,

Dariusz

[erick]

Hi Dariusz

If I can make a few suggestions:-

Your probably want to get away from the full Moon (24 Dec and 23 Jan). Ideal might be early in the first quarter - say 10-14 Jan. In that way, your son can see the partially lit moon (and the dark side is lit with earthshine earlier - say 9 and 10th?) before he falls asleep :D

If he stays awake, then the Moon should have set mid evening and you can see the stars etc.

Good time to look for satellites is that first couple of hours after sunset when the low ones are still catching the sunlight.

Shooting stars (meteors) - I don't think there are any expected showers, which are best seen in the few hours before dawn. But there should be a few sporadic meteors - up to 5 per hour - at any time of the night. You just have to be lucky.

Locations - sorry I don't really know, but what about a visit to the Magellan Observatory:-

http://home.goulburn.net.au/~magellan/


Good luck and have fun and drive safely!

Eric :)

[iceman]

Hi Darius.

There's mogo creek, north of sydney up past Kulnura. It's close to the Koolang Observatory, so you could perhaps stop in at the observatory for a visit, attend one of their night shows or talks and look through some telescopes?

Otherwise, I guess there's some places up in the blue mountains or the southern highlands. I'm just not sure of exactly where.

The problem with wanting your 4 yr old to see things, is that it's not dark until 9pm which is way past my (almost 4 years old) daughters bed time! If it's a clear, moonless, cloudless night though, you might wake him up around midnight and let him see all the stars visible from a dark sky.

Mars will be in the north just before midnight, a bright red star about 30deg above the horizon. And if he's up early, Venus will be shining brightly in the East before dawn.

Good luck!

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

I've seen that this thread gets accessed a lot, but it is very much out of date.

I thought it would be a good idea to start updating some of the current observing spots around Sydney, and hope fellow IISers will also contribute.

* A good place to look for any current gatherings can be found in the Star Parties, Club & Community Events (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16) forum. Regular informal meets happen at 'The Pony Club' at Mangrove Mountain (north of Sydney) , & at Katoomba Airfield (to the west). Other gatherings are frequently noted, & are a great way to meet fellow astro nuts.

* Other spots in the Blue Mountains include Hargraves Lookout & Mt Blackheath Lookout, both accessed via Blackheath. Hargraves is more open to the sky, but bitterly, bitterly cold in winter as it is completely exposed, & the viewing area is away from the carpark. Mt Blackheath is more protected, but the sky to the east is more obstructed by trees. Either one of these is chosen if Katoomba Airfield isn't available. If going on your own accord, go with at least one mate as these are open to the public. Big Roos are in the area too, so go easy on the roads at dusk, night & dawn here.

* Some golf courses are open minded to being used for our nocturnal pursuit. Not a bad idea to approach one for this as many clubs are receptive to the community using their site. You might need to accommodate the occasional patron, but you stand to gain a loyal club to keep you safe on their site.

I'm sure others will add their thoughts to this thread.

Mental.

[Wavytone]

Hi Alex,

I think its time we compiled some maps that could include nearby sites that are useable just for simple events (thanks to trees I have no sky visible from home, even to see the planets) or social occasions, as well as the more serious sites for those interested in DSO's or astrophotography.

There is another issue too - there are some clubs and groups that have their own pet sites but don't mention these on IIS, for example the NSAS group that meets at Turramurra. Sure, you won't go there to see DSO's or do AP, but for lunar & planetary it does have good seeing, or to watch a special event such as a bright comet or eclipse, it is a perfectly good site.

Lastly, there are some spectacular but remote sites which, while you wouldn't would observe there regularly, deserve a mention in case you want a trip away somewhere and can take a scope. Mt Buffalo (Victoria) and Mt Kaputar for example.

In addition it should be extended - not just for the Sydney and central coast region.

Despite the demise of my .me.com website I still have the maps and details, could put them up here as a starter.

[mental4astro]

Just giving this thread a little shake.

This coming Saturday of the long weekend there are informal get togethers at the Pony Club at Mangrove Mountain north of Sydney, & at Katoomba Airfield west of Sydney, which is accessed via Medlow Bath. The link in my last post below, will take you to the page of Star Parties forum which has the threads on these two gatherings. At both of these new comers to astronomy are most welcome, whether you have a scope or not. If you are considering getting your first scope, these are a great opportunity to see a range of different scope designs, their pros & cons, ease of use, capabilities, , relative sizes, & accessories to burn money on. Even if you've had a scope for a short time, it is a great chance to pick the brains of others there to get some tips on how to make best use of your gear. And if all you have are binoculars, BRING THEM! Binos are a fantastic astro tool.

Other formal clubs will also have gatherings this weekend. A list of clubs can be found in the "Our Community" heading in the left margin.

Mental.

[Allan_L]

Good on you Alex for bumping this thread.

Although we on the Central Coast like Mangrove Mountain (aka The Pony Club) as it is good and dark and half way between Sydney and the Central Coast...

there was a question about camping earlier in the thread.
At this point, we on the Central Coast (and some Sydney-siders too) like to go freedom camping at Bretti Reserve, 32km north of Gloucester.

Large flat areas, great horizons, few trees, two fresh water streams and free camping permitted up to 30 days by council law.

As you mentioned, when we head off for a few days there, we normally start a thread about it in the Star Parties forum.

Hope to see you there one day too. ;)

[mithrandir]

I made up a Google Map route for Katoomba Airport. Here are two for Mangrove Mountain Pony Club.
This partial route (http://goo.gl/maps/vBeFB) would be for people going from Sydney and this one (http://goo.gl/maps/nyR33) from the Central Coast

[mental4astro]

Here's the map that Andrew kindly produced to Katoomba Airfield, starting from Katoomba and heading west to Medlow Bath.

[AstralTraveller]

There are generally good reasons for not posting details on a public forum. I use two sites that I'm reluctant to mention here and certainly couldn't issue a general invitation. Reasons have to do with size (one only holds 10 people), sensitivities of the owners/managers and sensitivities of other users (both sites are used by members of several clubs). Basically, if I invite someone I am responsible for their behaviour and any bad behaviour (eg white light, excess noise, litter, gates left open or being an annoying pain for other users) can rebound on me, either loss of access and/or peeing off regular users. So, why would I invite total strangers?

As many of you would know, getting access to suitable sites is not always easy. A club I am in is presently negociating access to a new site and we are having to jump through hoops with regard to insurance ($20 million cover is required) and risk assessments (yes, people who have never seen a scope are judging whether someone with 40 years experience is being safe). So, only people who are known or who have been vetted at a club meeting will be invited.

Having said that, if there are free, open sites that can be advertised then I'm all for it.