Where in Perth should I go for dark Skys?

[bobson]

Last Saturday I finally went to "dark sky" with my 12" Bintel Dob. I chose to go towards York, just maybe 12-15 km before it. I used Google earth to find place away from poluted skys, and it looked the best place but...

First I couldn't find any clear spot, there are trees everywhere, everything is fenced off. I passed turn off to Mount Observation, and turned left on Wembley road I think its called. After about 1-2 km's the road turned into dirt road (red crashed rocks). I drove next 6 kms without any luck to find good spot, turned back and found not so good but still not bad place. It was entrance to the farm, just enough to park my car and set the scope.

It was very good seeing, not so clear though, I could smell smoke, and the edge of the sky was red. But comparing to my backyard it was 100 times better.

So, where do you guys go? Could you recommend good place where to go?

Cheers

bob

[richard omeara]

There is a site up at golden grove(baka bullsbrook).I think it is run buy starrynites@upnaway.com Great group well worth joining.Ive only been up there in daylight but ive heard its great.Or go see Keith at BTOW in Malaga . He is very helpfull.

[Blue Skies]

You've headed the right way (east) but you wont find any perfect spots, there will always be trees in the way. If there were any perfect spots I think it would be busy all the time as we would have all converged on it! Nope, all people have done in the past is drive around - we didn't have the luxury of Google Earth back then - and see if we could find a spot on the side of a road or down a track that had a relatively open area. I think you'll find there are always trees in one direction, even if you're in the middle of someone's paddock! For a while some friends of mine used to observe from the side of a road that comes off the main road to York and it was ok. Open paddock to the west and the locals only used it at night on rare occasions. We just set up on the road side. Other times I've gone down Brookton Hwy but these days I wouldn't recommend that as being safe, not on your own (too many other strange people wandering around at night out there... ;) )

[bobson]

Thanks Jacquie and Richard,

Jacquie, thanks again for that 2" barlow I bought from you, its really good, and I think it even improves cheap 32mm that came with 12" Bintel Dob :)

[Blue Skies]

Glad to hear its gone to a good home, Bob. :thumbsup:

[astroron]

Bob,just a thought:P is there anything up around Perth Observatory,or is it to woody?
I suppose it may be difficult to find an open space large enough:(
I was up there a couple of years ago and it wasn't to bad ,being so close to Perth.:)
In another post I said that GINGIN wasn't to good:(but I suppose I was comparing it to my DARK SKY here in Queensland:D.
I hope you can find somewhere,so that you can enjoy more of your hobby:astron::stargaze:
:thumbsup:
Ron

[TrevorW]

Sullivan Rock down Albany Hway

even drive into Mt Cooke

[Mighty_oz]

I'd have to second golden grove(baka bullsbrook) it's also got toilets powered cement slabs and a room to be in for hot drinks etc. Last time i joined not a menber atm it was i think $50 for the year and u could arrange to go up any w/e i think. The skies were pretty dark too.

[bobson]

Thanks everyone for help.

I looked on Google Earth and Golden Grove is in green light polution, GinGin is in gray light polution, so it should be much better than Golden Grove.

On 20th I am going with the friend somewhere close to Mount Cook (Albany HWY I think) This spot is in green light polution, so we'll see how it goes :)

bob