New Member, Macedon Ranges Vic

[Jules Red]

Hi all.

New to Forum and to have just recently got into astronomy. Received a 12'' Dob with goto capability and a bunch of goodies for Xmas from the wife. Have been busy learning the constellations and have managed to check out Orion & Tarantula Nebulas and Tuc47 so far.... spectacular!!

Any members in the Macedon Ranges, keen to learn as much as possible.

Great forum and very informative site.

Cheers

Julien

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

A warm welcome, and congrats on being located in a lovely district. I visited the Macedon Ranges a few months back, it was beautiful. The night skies must be good too.

You can find out ANYTHING here, I am led to think ;)

Cheers

[jamespierce]

Oh jealous - you should have pretty dark skies out that way. What I would give to live at a dark even darkish site, rather than traveling a heap ! We enjoy our inner city astronomy too, but it's not the same as hunting for faint galaxies.

[barx1963]

Hi Julien
Lucky you getting a 12" for Xmas, sounds like the wife is a keeper!;)
The Macedon Ranges area has a proud heritage in amateur astronomy, Ernst Hartung did most of his observing from his farm near Woodend back in the 50s and 60s which resulted in the classic book "Astronomical Objects for Southern Telescopes" which was first published in 1968 and is regarded worldwide as a classic.

Malcolm

[M54]

:welcome: Julien.

Wow! If you get aperture fever your gonna have to get a BIG scope.:P:D
What a great Chrissy present.

[Jules Red]

Thanks Guys,

Interesting news Malcolm about the history of this area, I grew up in Woodend and had never heard about this.

Molly, how many meters do you think I should go :)

Looking forward to some clear skies, you cn still see a bit of Melbournes glow in the south east but we are a fair way above it. Can anyone tell me if it is worth heading up to the top of Mt Macedon for a night? does the extra elevation help, it is 1000M at the top but it get bloody cold up there, have done night MTB rides up there in the winter and the grass is all frozen.

Cheers

[Paddy]

HI Julien and welcome to Ice in Space. A 12" scope and dark skies are a great way to do some observing. I haven't been to the top of Mt Macedon, so I don't really know. I wonder if another thought might be to put it between yourself and Melbourne rather than be on top of it. Top of a hill is good for seeing, but a big hill like that is a good light pollution filter.

Anyway, it sounds like you're off to a great start - Tarantula and 47 Tuc with a big scope- Mmmmm. Leave M42 for dead I reckon.

[ballaratdragons]

Welcome Julien.
We occasionally visit friends near Mt. Macedon. On a trip up the mount with them I once asked them about observing from the mount and they say not to go up there at night coz the boozed-up Hoons love it up there. Especially the gardens and park which would've been the best place to set up.

Same with Mt. Arapiles way out west. :sadeyes:

[dannat]

julien, macedon seems to attract some bad weather at times, usually best conditions are from hanging rock & further N - hence why the macedon observatory setup between kyneton & lancefield

[Jules Red]

Thanks All

Macedon certainly has bad weather around it today... Good idea about putting it between melbourne and where I am viewing. I can think of a couple of good spots just north of it that should be good. Now just need the clouds to go away...

Thanks for the warm welcome.

[Jules Red]

Hey Daniel

What is it like out at Tylden, I was thinking the sky should be very dark out that way, my parents are out Ashbourne Rd and it is amazing out there.

[dannat]

yes tylden is pretty dark -it helps the town doesn't really have streetlights

[RCOS1]

Speaking from experience, Gisborne is fast developing as the rate base of the Macedon Ranges and as a result, it throws its light dome at least 20 Kms in all directions almost touching Sunbury.
The south side of Mount Macedon mainly condenses moist air flowing in from Port Phillip Bay after it has crossed the western plains, and settles this moisture on, south and west towards Woodend, Tylden, Ashbourne, etc.
In order to escape this local effect, one needs to cross into the Northern side of the Macedon Ranges ( which includes Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon) into the north slopes of the Cobaw Ranges as it is the most northerly position still within the Shire of Macedon Ranges.
Also, being at one of the highest elevations in the shire at 610 M (2000 ft), you efectively are slightly above the light domes of Melbourne, Sunbury, Gisborne and Kyneton but not too close to Bendigo.
Again...Heres the map..And the Color Legend..

[Jules Red]

Thanks Bert

Will have to take a drive and have a look from ove near the Cobaws.

Cheers