Adelaide to Darwin

[glenc]

We recently returned from a trip (11,900km in 41 days) from Casino to Sydney to Adelaide to Darwin to Longreach to Casino, towing an A'Van A'liner with a VW Golf 2L diesel. Diesel prices ranged from $1.20 to $1.80 per L. (Saw it for $1.98 but luckily didn't need to buy it)

I used my 10" Dobsonian during the trip.
1. Saw M108, M97, M109, M106, M94, M63, M51 and M101 and some NGC objects from 67km south of Alice Springs. (latitude 24.15 S)
2. Saw M81 and M82 and the above objects from the old Daly Waters airstrip in the NT. (latitude 16.26 S)
3. Also saw the PN NGC 6543 and some objects in the northern morning sky (Hercules to Cygnus) from Cape Crawford airstrip. (latitude 16.68 S)

The image shows the observing spot south of Alice Springs.

[pgc hunter]

cool. I remember seeing Ursa Major for the first time from Cairns last year. It was also quite bizarre seeing Auriga, Gemini, Lyra, Bootes and all that at elevations I normally associate with Aquila, Orion etc from here.

Going north is a good oppurtunity to observe stuff otherwise not viisble from home :thumbsup: I wouldn't mind checking out M51 and M81/82 from a nice dark site :D I always thought of around 15-20º south as a virtually perfect lat to observe both the northern and southern sky's best DSO's, and planets are always well placed, regardless where they are on the ecliptic, unlike here at nearly 40S where they are pretty low when in Taurus and Gemini.

[multiweb]

Wow! Quite a trip. Must have been a blast to see all those northern targets. That's quite an od looking trailer. Very... pointy? What's the advantage over a more cubic and conventional shape? Not wind drag is it? Looks a bit like a chalet on wheels. Made in Germany too? ;)

[glenc]

The A'liner folds down (in less than a minute) and is easy to tow. Our fuel consumption averaged 7.1 L/100km (40 mpg) at 90 kph.
It is made in Victoria. The image below shows it folded.

[multiweb]

Cool - got it now. :)

[GrahamL]

Hi Glen

I was just talking to rob on the weekend about when you where arriving back .. Sounds some clear weather came your way.

:)

[mozzie]

wow nice trip glen taking the van to astofest this year

[Lismore Bloke]

Hello Glen, glad to hear you both made it back safe and sound. Wonderful round trip, with better weather than we have been having. Look forward to hearing more when we catch up. Considering the yuk weather at present, not sure when that will be!! Cheers, Paul.

[glenc]

Yes Peter, taking the van.
Paul, it is not looking good here this week.
Darwin was cloudy too with a late wet season.
The 4WD roads in Kakadu were still closed when we were there.

[mozzie]

sorry for change of topic were all north coast on this thread hows the bloody weather today hope all you lads in northern rivers are all ok were expecting it tomorrow :shrug::( we dont want those winds like poor lennox got