What should we prepare for the Rock trip.

[Elliot1628]

Hi friends,

I will go to Uluru for observing the nite sky in the Ayers' Rock, with my friend in Canberra.

That's mean, we will drive a car from Canberra to Alice Spring, then to the Rock.


Today, I want to know more detail about what should we notice. Because, it is the first time that go to there in the Mid-June to End-June, half a month, generally speaking, what need to prepare?


Kind of Regards

Elliott

[Wavytone]

Elliott,


Seems a very long way to go to do some observing; an hours drive east out of Perth into the desert would do just as well. Anyway...

1. Consult a lunar calendar.

The period you're suggesting is first quarter to full moon, so to be prefectly frank you may as well observe from your own back yard as you won't see any more with that much moonlight.

Early July (the week from 3rd quarter moon to new moon) would be a much better choice.

2. Sort out what you want to look at and choose your gear accordingly. I'd suggest the main target will be deep-sky objects so a rich-field telescope will be ideal (fast f/5 reflector or f/7 refractor); there's no point going all that way to look at the moon and planets.