Siding Springs & the AAT

[chrisp9au]

Following the IIS astro camp, I drove to Coonabarabran for a couple of days before heading home to Victoria.
For anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to visit Siding Springs, I really do encourage you to make the effort.
The scenery in the Warrumbungle Ranges is spectacular, and the Siding Springs Observatory is very impressive.

I managed to spend 3 hours in the Visitor Centre, the 'Exploratory', and the 4th floor level viewing area of the Anglo Australian Telescope (AAT). I think I may have been fortunate in my timing, because I actually got to see the telescope being moved, probably for maintenance.

The pictures of the telescope show some reflections because you have to take pictures through plate glass windows, and my polarising filter was down in the car!

Picture #8 shows a full size replica of the main 3.9 meter mirror. The dust cover for the mirror is shown in picture # 5. Picture #6 show the piece of Cervit cut from the centre of the mirror.

For lots of information on the AAT, try http://www.aao.gov.au/

Cheers :thumbsup:
Chris

[chrisp9au]

And one more pic to prove I was there!

Cheers :thumbsup:
Chris

[Kevnool]

I agree with you there Chris its a great place to visit and relax.
I had to buy a stubby holder when i was there earlier on in the year.
Cheers Kev.

[citivolus]

I really need to visit there one of these days. I've had the lucky break to tour the 3m Shane telescope (http://www.ucolick.org/public/telescopes/shane.html) dome at Lick observatory, and the AAT looks much more impressive than even that.

Regards,
Eric

[multiweb]

That looks great. I'll have to make the trip up there one day. Is there a place to stay nearby (like a few days) or to set-up a rig for imaging?

[chrisp9au]

There's plenty of accomodation in Coonanbarabran and surrounds.
Plenty of camping spots up in the Warrumbungles NP.
I've picked out a spot called Wambelong Camp for my next trip up there.

Google Warrumbungles and you'll get everything.

There are also a couple of locals offering observing nights, not sure on the size of the scopes though.
There are a number of IIS members up that way who could probably give you plenty of advice.

Cheers:thumbsup:
Chris

[chrisp9au]

We have to buy something don't we! I managed to get a reasonable observing jacket.
The shop in the 'Exploratory' was actually looking a bit empty, of both people and stock.
One of the staff at Parkes actually expressed surprise that the shop was still operating, so maybe they are struggling a bit?
Cheers :thumbsup:
Chris

[multiweb]

Sounds great - thanks for the info. :thumbsup:

[sheeny]

Thanks for posting, Chris. I must get back up there one day:thumbsup:. It's been a long time since I was last there.

Al.

[Kevnool]

Was observing on the road from Coona to siding springs with a fella called Peter Starr from the warumbungles observatory.

http://www.tenbyobservatory.com/

Was a cold i mean cold crisp night no cloud cover.
The tourists took off then we stayed on observing whilst he was imaging a galaxy in Pavo.

Great place no doubt i,ll get there again.

Cheers Kev.

[I.C.D]

Chris,
I am glad to hear that you have had a good trip both at the camp and Siding springs ,it was great to have had a chat with you at the iis camp on Friday night hope to see at the camp in the near future
Ian C

[Rodstar]

Re accomodation, I recommend the Timor Country Cottages, on the Timor Road between town and the National Park. I was chatting at the AAT shop with the salesperson, it turns out she is the daughter of the owners of the Timor Country Cottages. She indicated that she and her husband are currently renting out the front cottage from her parents (so only the rear cottage is currently available for holiday letting), their long term plan is to buy the property from her parents, then build a house at the front of the property, and then let out both cottages again.

I stayed in a mudbrick cottage on the Timor Road called Craggibungle. It provides only restricted views of the sky, so is not suitable for imagers. For visual observers, though, it is fine, you just have to be prepared look at those parts of the sky that present themselves over the course of an evening!