Good night for observing at blue mountains?

[mbaddah]

Hi all

Was thinking of going to blue mountains tonight for observing, reckon it'll be a good night? (Yes I live in Sydney and deliberitly going into other directions of fireworks). Will there be fireworks happening at blue mountains? Thanks guys.

[mbaddah]

Well I ended up going down to the blue mountains last night (skipping the fireworks down in Sydey), all I can say is WOW What a night of observing!

Even with the naked eye, I had no idea the difference in night sky would be so different in Katoomba compared to Sydney. I could see more with my eye in Katoomba than with my Dob in Sydney :)

Perhaps one of the most amazing things I seen last night (besides Saturn and Mars) was looking at the PLeiades and Orion Nebula through my 6" Dob and clearly seeing the dust/gas!!! Absolutely gorgeous and had no idea my 6" could produce such results... thumbs up.

[tsuken]

Hi mbaddah. Whereabouts in Katoomba did you go? If not for the fact that I'm sure Echo Point is probably smothered in floodlights 24 hours a day :mad2: I'd be heading up there regularly (it's not far for me, living in Springwood).

[mbaddah]

Yes I want to Echo Point... despite the lights i found it to be an extraodinary night, is there somewhere else you know where you can see even more stars? The sky at katoomba seemed to just glitter with stars, almost made me dizzy :)

[tsuken]

I've only had a grand total of two nights observing thus far - both in my backyard. My brother-in-law lives in Katoomba, and I think I might ask him about a good dark site. 8) I'll let you know

[wavelandscott]

I am glad that you had a good night viewing under darker skies. It is easy for us city bound folk to forget how dark and wonderful the night sky is suppossed to be and how much can be seen with the naked eye alone. It is always rewarding to see how much better our gear works from a dark sky spot.

[rmcpb]

Not quite as far up the mountains but "Astro Rock" at Woodford is a good site.

Just go to the end of Bedford Rd and its the big rock shelf on your right just before entering the national park on the way to Murphy's Glen.

Cheers

[tsuken]

I shall have to check that out 8) Cheers

[mbaddah]

Thanks for that will have to check it out, can you see as well as 'Echo Point'?

[rmcpb]

If you set up on the western slope it is very dark as the sky glow from Sydney is blocked out and it would definitely blow the boots off Echo Point.

Cheers

[Straylight]

There is always the Western Sydney Amateur astronomy Group at Linden. There is a great observing spot there.

Linky (http://wsaag.org/index.php)

Good bunch of guys, nice dark site.

[mbaddah]

Thanks for that looks good , will have to head down next month :)