Kulnura Observatory

[Rodstar]

If you are ever in the general vicinity of the Central Coast, NSW, it is worth dropping in on the Kulnura Observatory.

Icceman and I went there last night...early on it looked grim with the clouds, but in the end we got lucky with seeing some grand sights....Saturn, M42, Eta Carina etc. through a 20" Dob. No luck finding Machholz, but I think it was below the treeline. They also had a 10" Dob and what looked like an 8" Meade LX200 on hand. The moon looked pretty damn fine through these.

Usually the groups that go through Kulnura Observatory are quite small, as it was last night, so viewing times on the scopes is pretty good, and they seem very happy for people to bring their own scopes to add to the occasion! They also do "special requests"!!!

See you up there sometime soon...maybe a IceinSpace contingent could go up sometime, for those who can make it from NSW??

Rodstar

[iceman]

It sure was a great night.. i'm planning to do an observing log of the night but just haven't got around to it yet :(

Was great to meet Rod too - great to finally find a local with a passion for astronomy like myself. I can see many impromptu local star parties when he finally gets his C11. :D

And I concur with the idea for the IceInSpace star party.. whether we go to an observatory or just a dark sky where the sydney-ites can all get together and observe, meet up etc.

Btw the observatory is called "Koolang Observatory", I recommend them if you're in the area.. top bunch of people and nice dark skies. Oh and the 20" dob ain't bad either :P

http://users.hunterlink.net.au/koolang/

[silvinator]

Just added the link to my favourites. Seems like a nice spot for a group to get together rodstar. How dark were the skies there guys?

I also like the idea of getting us sydney-siders and visiting interstaters for and IceInSpace star party. So where should we have it Mike :D?

PS: what do you mean by "special requests" rodstar? :P

[Rodstar]

Good to hear you are keen on a star party Silvinator! If we get some more responses in the positive we could perhaps start planning for a get-together in a couple of months??

Viewing conditions on the night at Koolang Observatory started off poor and seemed to deteriorate. However, just when it was looking like we would have to pack up and head inside the clouds to the north, south and east cleared beautifully, allowing good viewing to be done. The moon cast too much reflected light to describe conditions as better than "good", the milky way haze was very clear but, given the remote location from city lights, it wasn't as dark as it could have been.

By "special requests" I mean that, time permitting, they will let you point the 20" Dob at something you want to look at that may not be on their set program....they are good folk who appreciate the energy that amateur enthusiasts bring, particularly as the bulk of visitors probably have little or no idea about astronomy or the cosmos.

By the looks, there won't be too much viewing done in the next few days, heavy clouds and intermittent rain are the main weather features here on the NSW Central Coast.

Rodstar

[seeker372011]

Yes I would be up for a star party in a dark site.

[Striker]

Yes lets do a party...I would be into that......between sydney and Brisbane would be great.....about 6 hour drive from Brisbane...I can handle that...and away from the cites would be dam fine....

It would be good to see some of you...and those with the Nagler's...I would love to see you aswell...lol..only kidding.