Help a desperate astroimager in the Hunter

[strongmanmike]

Hi everyone in the Newcastle region.

I am looking for someone who might have or know of someone who has a property with dark open skies where I can take my portable imaging rig when it is clear so I can start imaging more regularly again? Within about 1hr of Newcastle is what I am after so I can realistically get there and back in a night. I need access to mains power and permission to tent it for a couple of nights in a row at times, if the weather is good, would be great too.

Can anyone help this frustrated deep sky astroimager? :sadeyes:

email me at m.sidonio at bigpond.com

Mike Sidonio

[Jen]

:hi: there Mike there is plenty of spots i can give you around here in Swan Hill :lol: i just wish i had your equipment :thumbsup: hey you teach me how to do it and i will do it for ya :rolleyes: :rofl:
:whistle:

[Ian Robinson]

Have you considered somewhere up around Karuah , a few motels there who wont car if you run an extension cord out at night to set up a scope after they turn the lights off.

Or Werakata National Park http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0126
Or Copeland Tops State Conservation Area http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0694
might have a sight where you set up a tent on caravan spot .

[Omaroo]

Come to Cooma Mike. We'll set you up on the hill at 1,000m with a regulated genny and super-dark skies. Fish for trout in the river (Murrumbidgee) during the day and stay as long as you like. :) It's a hike, so maybe condsider a trip down every few "local" trips. No-one will bother you for several k's around.

[strongmanmike]

Thaaaaaanks Jen :rolleyes:

Chris, that sounds great and I'd do it in a flash but I think Cooma is a bit more than an hour out'a Newcastle? :rolleyes: :sadeyes:

Ian, thanks for the idea, I have contacted the Friends of Werakata Society to ask their opinion on accomodating my needs.

Anyone else know anyone that could help me out? :prey: :prey: :prey:

Mike

[Omaroo]

'Tis why ah sed "every few local trips". :lol:

[I.C.D]

Mike,
Should try Lake St Clare near Singleton they have a camping site with shower and toilets and Powered site (I think ?ring Singleton Council for more info) over most weekends in the winter months not many people go up their so you may find that you have the hole site to yourself. If you have a Gen-Set there are area's around the dam were you can drive through a gate and park next to the Dam and away from unwanted light. Give me a ring when you are coming up I may be able to come out with you and show you around.
P.S
Google Maps on the lake and have a look

Ian C :thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Thanks Ian, I'll keep that in mind.

Lake St Clair sounds great (might be good for an astro camp like IISAC too?) but it's probably just a bit further away from Newcastle than I was looking for and I was hoping to find somwhere west or south west of Newcastle so the southern skies are the darkest, although from lake St Clair the southern skies would be pretty dark I guess given Singleton is some 30kms away to the south..?

I'm trying to find a location that makes coming home from work and packing the car then driving out and setting up before dark possible, so I guess a spot less than an hour from me is what I'm after..? Paxton, Bellbird, Aberdere or the Werakata Natinal Park south of Kurri Kurri and Cessnock would be ideal.

Thanks again mate :thumbsup: