Mt Carbine Qld

[glenc]

Who is going to Mt Carbine for the eclipse?
I will be there for the two nights before the eclipse.

[Liz]

There is Eric, Petra, myself and Allan ..... at least.

There will be a few from our Astronomy Group in Townsville as well. One group have already visited the area a couple of times to look for a couple of good eclipse viewing areas. :D

[erick]

Looks to me like a 100-200 m walk west of town and the observing should be fine beside the road?

[h0ughy]

and being near the highway i would say the police might be in the move somewhere else mood. I have been eyeing off that spot for a while - its a pity we cant access the mine road to the north and above the road?

looking at the cloud and predictions a would say you wont be alone out there - probably have to put up with Al and myself as well;) as we will be visiting from the coast ;)

[eclipse]

We will be there 12th-14th inclusive.Look forwards to seeing you again Glen.

Les and Deb.

[cyclone]

is that the Rodeo grounds ?

[erick]

I was thinking of this "lay-by"?

[erick]

I might be on foot - should avoid a "move on" order! :)

[glenc]

Some forecasts
Port Douglas
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/qld/nth-cst-and-tableland/port-douglas
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/qld/nth-cst-and-tableland/port-douglas/detailed-forecast

Palmerville
http://ozforecast.com.au/cgi-bin/weather.cgi?station=Palmerville.QLD

Satellite Qld
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/satellite/qld

The last week of solar radiation.
http://www.bom.gov.au/web03/ncc/www/awap/solar/solarave/week/colour/latest.qd.hres.gif

[glenc]

Total solar eclipse of 2012 Nov 14 Mt Carbine
Sunrise at 5:37 am

Latitude: 16° 31' 39" S, Longitude: 145° 8' 27" E, Height above sea level: 370 metres
Time zone: 10h ahead of UT

The eclipse is total from this location with a duration of 2m 6.0s.

Beginning of partial phase
Time: 2012 Nov 14 05:44:21
Sun's altitude: 0.7°

Beginning of total phase
Time: 2012 Nov 14 06:37:49
Sun's altitude: 12.9°

Maximum eclipse
Time: 2012 Nov 14 06:38:52
Eclipse magnitude: 1.016
Ratio of Moon's to Sun's apparent size: 1.038
Position angle of centre of Moon: 17.8°
Sun's altitude: 13.2°, azimuth 105.4 degrees

End of total phase
Time: 2012 Nov 14 06:39:55
Sun's altitude: 13.4°

End of partial phase
Time: 2012 Nov 14 07:39:17
Sun's altitude: 27.2°

from SkyMapPro

[cyclone]

that looks like a truck inspection bay

[bojan]

It is on my list.. but as the clock is ticking and as more and more alternative locations are mentioned as good or as banned for non-locals (like headland in Port Douglas), I am more and more frustrated.. I am guessing I will be lucky if I manage to get off the plane in Cairns at all :shrug:

[ZeroID]

Why would spots be banned for nonlocals ?
A public space is a public space I would have thought.

[glenc]

More forecasts

http://www.weatherchannel.com.au/australian-forecasts/qld/nth-coast/mount-carbine

http://www.willyweather.com.au/qld/far-north/mount-carbine.html

http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Port-Douglas-ASXX1230

[Liz]

Thanks Glen. :thumbsup:

Per Cyclones webcams this am - was cloudy in Cairns and clear at Mt Carbine for the eclipse.

Incoming weather for the 10th and 11th per weatherchannel though.

[bojan]

Well, not banned explicitly.. but effectively yes. Number of people on the site is limited, and ballot is for local residents only. Have a look at below links:
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/10/27/235708_local-news.html
http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/community-information/annual-events/eclipse/port-douglas-headland-competition

Application form (http://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/62966/LIVE-3756083-v1-Port_Douglas_Solar_Eclipse_Headland _Viewing_Location_Competition_Appli cation_Form.pdf) asks for proof of local address (so when I downloaded the form and saw that, I gave up, of course).

[h0ughy]

not sure about the 2m6s bit - i think we would be lucky to be just over the 2min mark, maybe 2m 1 or 2 sec:shrug:

[OzEclipse]

Skymap pro probably uses an average oblate spheroid for the lunar limb, hence the 2m06s prediction. There are two valleys on each side of the moon that shorten the duration by many seconds.Use one of the calculators that use the Kaguya/Herald limb profile corrections

eg http://eclipse-chasers.com

Joe

[glenc]

Thanks Joe, that gives 2m 2.1s from 6h 38m 7.7s to 6h 40m 9.7s. (Kaguya/Herald)

[glenc]

I hope to see some northern nebulae while I am up north.
Click on the information circle (i) at the bottom of this image, zoom in (+) and look at the red patches between Cygnus and Auriga.
http://media.skysurvey.org/interactive360/index.html

Note the Andromeda galaxy and the double cluster (NGC 869/884) below the Heart and Soul nebulae. The names show up when you move the mouse over them.

"Nick Risinger broke the sky down into 624 areas (each 12 degrees wide) and captured each portion through 60 exposures. Four short, medium, and long shots with each of six cameras were taken to help reduce noise, satellite trails, and other inaccuracies."
Read more: http://www.universetoday.com/85577/photopic-sky-survey/#ixzz2B5k7lTR9

[glenc]

Here are some northern deep sky objects to look at while you are in FNQ.
Evening objects are listed first, then morning objects.

Open Clusters
Messiers 29, 39, 52, 34, 38, 36, 37
NGCs 7789, 457, 869/884 (the Double Cl)

Globular cluster
NGC 2419

Nebulae
NGCs 6888, 6960/6992 (Veil), 7000 (N America), 7538/7635 (Bubble), 281 (Pacman), 896 (Heart), 1491, 1499 (California), 1624, 1931

Planetary nebulae
M76, NGCs 6826, 7008, 7662

Galaxies
M 31, 32, 110
NGCs 6946, 7331, 891, 1023, 2403, 2683

See the attached file based on data from http://www.klima-luft.de/steinicke/ngcic/ngcic_e.htm

[glenc]

Port Douglas eclipse day partly cloudy?
http://uk.weather.com/weather/10day-Port-Douglas-ASXX1230
or windy with rain?
http://www.accuweather.com/en/au/port-douglas/14371/daily-weather-forecast/14371?day=10
or 65% sunny?
http://www.zoover.com/australia/queensland/port-douglas/weather
or partly cloudy with SE winds in the morning??
http://www.intermeteo.com/australia_and_oceania/australia/port_douglas/5day.html
and there is more
http://www.foreca.com/Australia/Port_Douglas?details=20121114
some detail for mt Carbine and Cairns
http://7timer.y234.cn/index.php?lang=en&product=civil&lon=145.141++&lat=-16.528+
http://7timer.y234.cn/index.php?product=civil&lang=en&lon=145.77085999999997&lat=-16.923978e

[glenc]

Looks like there might be fog at night, then partly cloudy at 7am on 14 Nov.

[von Tom]

It's a long shot but I might be able to get up to Mt Carbine from Brissie, arriving the afternoon before the eclipse but having to leave shortly after it's over. :)

Tom

[Phil Hart]

All these sites and just about every other free weather website on the net are using the same US GFS model data. Check out as many as you like, but they're all presenting the same data in different ways!

You may like to check out this thread about weather:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=98139

Phil

[erick]

Getting close now. Packing tonight and flying early tomorrow to Townsville. Work our way up to Mt Carbine over a couple of days. Note to self - pack an umbrella, not sun, but rain :sadeyes:

[Liz]

Yes, I think if we expect the worst, then even if we see a little of the Sun, then will be a success.

Am heading off Monday morning, think will be about 5 hours from my place, turning at Innisfail up the Palmerston.

[Liz]

Great to hear Tom - we will have a photgraphic master in our midst, though we will try not to annoy you with Qs. :D

[von Tom]

:) Ok, definitely coming. Will be looking to camp at Mt Carbine somewhere, arriving the arvo before. All a bit last minute!! I'll be bringing up my 12" dob, for what that's worth anyway, and a couple of borrowed cameras to make the most of the opportunity. I'll also have some spare Baader astro solar safety film if anyone needs some.

[cyclone]

just spoke to a truckie coming back from Cooktown on UHF CB, and he said he crossed over 3000 vehicles

[rowena]

I have just driven from Maryborough to Townsville (north of brissy) it took 6.5 hours to go from maryborough to rockhampton, and then 9 hours to go from Rockhampton to townsville due to the amount of road works! Expect delays if you are driving up!!!!

I saw a few buses with solar eclipse tours heading north and that was at the beginning of this week!.. aka sunday/mon ... and that is just the beginning. Driving up to cairns and staying at a mates place at smithfield on monday...

Also be aware there are lots of no camping signs between port Doug and cairns... so council "may" be out in force trying to make a buck or two in fines!!!!! and even car parking at some places are temporary!..

[Allan_L]

I am camped at Mt Carbine now. The big festival started today so that explains the traffic. Hopefully roads should clear a bit after today.
But the roadworks are bad on all roads from accounts.
If you are coming to Mt Carbine be aware
Bring plenty of supplies and drinking water.
The bore water is not fit and the rainwater tank stuff here needs to be boiled before consumption.
Also no phone coverage and only Internet is via the park owners personal wifi and only 30 meters range.
And the rec room has been booked out by bus load of Japanese tourists.
There is a pub in walking distance and limited supplies incl petrol.
BTW there is a mountain that blocks most of the Eastern skyline up to about 10 degrees.
Oh and the council is closing most likely viewing spots to the public or so I heard. :shrug: :confused2:

[Liz]

Thanks for that Allan, some good reminders esp the water!!!
I should arrive Monday arvo depending on the traffic, maybe around 4ish. :)

[Allan_L]

BTW I tried to watch sunrise today.
Total Grey out at Mt Carbine.
If you are interested?

[Allan_L]

Today Sunday beautiful sunrise at Mt Carbine.
Little low cloud but if it was today it would be very satisfactory.

[erick]

:thumbsup: That's what I like to hear! See you tomorrow afternoon, Allan.

[Liz]

Yes, catch up with you all tomorrow arvo, I am in a cabin. :D

[TheoP]

Hi, I am flying into Cairns Tuesday at noon, then driving to a spot ~25km west of Mt Carbine, hopefully have "clear" skies to do some tripod photography, sleep in car and wake up to a clear morning. Lets hope!

[purplebottles]

Patchy cloud around Mt Carbine at dawn on this Monday 12Nov12. Southerly breeze was pleasant before the daytime heat. Robert and Jennifer are real Aussies running the Mt Carbine Caravan Park and it really busy here. Only un-powered sites left for this week. But a nice place to wait for the Eclipse. Much safer, quieter and more comfortable than a roadside. Good amenities, good base for day-tripping. Nearby small Caltex Roadhouse. The caravan park is mostly astro-enthusiasts and quiet grey nomads [ Pet Friendly too ]. Noisy rock music types are up the road at the Cosmic Convergence and other Festival site as well. Now some practical information for visitors. Arrive early, please don't light campfires, be polite to Landholders, {they are Ok people, just stressed about too many strangers getting excited}. I met the Desailly Range area station people this morning and was given permission to watch from the hilltop off the road. Parking will probably be a nightmare and the Police are going to be very strict about road/parking safety. It is fairly easy to pull well off the bitumen on the flat parts of the Mulligan Highway which goes west from Mt Carbine. Various road maintenance spaces and such. It's all quite close to the centre-line. Where the road goes up onto the Desailly Range looks like a good location to me { and many, many others, no doubt. } I'm going really early Wed, way before dawn and hope people before me are polite enough to pull off the track. Bring your favourite water as the tap/creek/bores are somewhat tasty. We're taking plenty of water and some food for our Schnauzers to wait out the traffic jam when the eclipse has passed. Bob's Lookout is a tiny pullover on a bend and will be CLOSED. The Police won't be negotiating! according to the Locals. Tow-Aways are promised... I will be very careful of my speed too. Got a ticket in the mail after 2002 Ceduna but took some nice memories home. Just getting here was the biggest hurdle so the clouds will do as they will. PS. Robert and Jennifer are kind enough to offer WiFi internet access, for laptops etc, within 30 metres of their office.:welcome:

[southerncross]

Just south of Mt Carbine (10km) is a place called Mary farms with some open paddocks on the southern side of the west Mary rd giving a good open view back to the range.

[purplebottles]

Hi, The Desailly Range people were just driving around and didn't introduce themselves officially. They said a number of people they have seen around, have been given permission. They ignored the next couple of vehicles that went past us. I didn't get any contact info. Not needed. There are yellow signs on trees just west of Mt Carbine that prohibit tresspassing put up by Curraghmore Station Ph 40948293. The Mulligan Highway is some form of public stock route and in NSW you can stop on a stock route but not camp overnight. The hilltop is on a crest a couple of kms going west past Bobs Lookout. Both sides of the road have adjacent small hilltops that look suitable. I don't think my hill had a power pole. The area is quite close enough to the centreline according to the calculated waypoints that "Max from Sydney " had on a Smasung tablet. Most astro-nuts in the area seem quite sociable. Fires, litter, overt camping and dangerous ie inconsiderate or selfish parking seem the main issues. In those cases the persons may attract negative attention. We're in Pt Douglas this afternoon and in was drizzling in the ranges on the way over to the coast. I believe that the cloud is strongly influenced by topography and distance from the ocean. Thus I'm inland and not on top of a mountain. Anectdotally I've noticed the rain shower clouds hugging big hill/mountains. The vegetation is fairly sparse past Mt Carbine. A good indicator of climate. I'll try to put this up in the public area. If I fail, could you post it for others, please. There are a couple of other commercial camping places near Mt Carbine that do caravan/ tent sites that we saw driving past. Some bookings are not being confirmed/taken up, ie. no-shows. So I would try your luck for a powered site etc, but be ready to have a bit less luxury. BTW. There was so much negativity about eye hazards and so on in 2002 for Ceduna that the area was thinly visited as I experienced. Telling the positive on IIS won't cause a stampede I suspect. Walking through the tourist precinct in Pt Douglas I saw a local Optometrist selling Eclipse Shades in the window== Really great to see commonsense and enthusiasm

[Liz]

Have arrived here safe and sound after a 6 hr trip from Townsville - a beautiful park and my cabin is great. Have met up with Allan and Eric, and a few from our Townsville Group. Bring on tomorrow am to check out some sites.:D

[von Tom]

At Charters Towers now. Will get there tomorrow arvo :)

[bojan]

Is there a space for me there?
I am in dilemma - to go or not to go.... Considering odds for clear weather during totality (BTW, Skippysky shows improved chances for clear weather on eclipse day.

[southerncross]

Probably still room here bojan http://www.bustarddowns.com.au/ give them a call. Only a ten minute drive from Mt Carbine.

[Liz]

A beautiful morning here at Mt Carbine ..... quite a few wandering around at Sunrise, and most of us will be gathered at a clearing around the rec hall. Looks pretty good luckily, so dont have to go for a drive to find a spot.

A bit of cloud around the horizon, but the Sun had pretty well cleared by tomorrows Totality time. :D

Pic is of Eric and Allan, sorry guys. ;)

[Liz]

OK, have now met Allan, Eric, Glen, Eclipse (Les) .... still looking for Petra, but seems shes staying at the Pub. Will catch up shortly. :)

[glenc]

I saw some DSO from the Mt Carbine cemetery last night.
This morning Judith and I drove 30 km west. We will probably watch the eclipse from 10km west of here.
I am in the Aliner near the top of the hill in the caravan park.
The forecast looks OK.

[JethroB76]

Glen, did you observe the sun at eclipse time from this point this morning?

[erick]

Me up around sunrise?? - rare sight and great capture, Liz!!

[Danack]

Mount Carbine still has space for cars as of 1:30pm.

I'm just going to have lunch then drive up there.

Look out for a guy with long hair and a really dodgy moustache.

[Liz]

lol Eric, you are lucky I didnt put the one of sitting UP on the umpires chair on the tennis court!!! Or .... perhaps I could. :D

[Liz]

:lol::lol: Dan, there are lot of guys around with long hair and dodgy moustaches!!

At this stage Dan, quite a few of us are going to be set around the rec hall area - quite open. :)

[von Tom]

I'm up here now too - you'll see me with the big fat dob. Thinking about going up the highway but will check the rec area out.

[glenc]

Wes, Judith and I watched the eclipse from 10km west of Mt Carbine.
There was some cloud just before maximum eclipse but it was clear for all of the 2mins of totality. I saw 5 prominences with a 100mm refractor. The corona was great too. Now for the next eclipse!

[Liz]

Think Glen had the best views with his heading out of town, but we did OK at the Caravan park - cloud until about 10 minute til totality, then cleared for us to experience and view the diamond ring and corona = amazing!!!
Then pretty clear for the rest of the partial phase .... all abuzz here at Mt Carbine!! :D:D:D

[Liz]

Ok, going back to last night, when we cruised up to the Mt Carbine Cemetery!! The night was so clear, not a sound to be heard as we crept into the cemetery and set up our gear amidst the tombstones! About 12 of us, and what fun we had, though many were very disorientated with the views overhead. What the heck is that constellation??
Glen had the North American Nebula, and of course Andromeda was in her glory plus 47 Tuc, Tarantula and more. Glen and Wes found that new supernova that is around.
Stayed up later than I would have liked, but well and truly worth it. :)

[doppler]

We were about 20 km west of mt carbine. Dark skys most of the evening and a bit of high level cloud early. Got some great veiws and a few nice shots.

[Shark Bait]

Stunning! Glad you got clear skies.

[callingrohit]

Awesome shot Rick. Very jealous of not being able to see the totality with my own eyes. Someday I'm sure it will happen.

[Danack]

Oops - should have checked there first - went to the pub instead and couldn't find the rec hall when I got back.


Apologies to everyone there for the 3am car alarm :sadeyes: - I didn't know my hire car even had an alarm.

Anyway, here are my pics.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danack/8184416042/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danack/8184416212/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danack/8184416534/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danack/8184417362/in/photostream


Didn't get as many of totality as I had hoped - mostly because I was standing there with jaw hanging loose trying to comprehend wtf I was seeing - THERE'S A RING OF FIRE IN THE SKY!!!!??

[Liz]

lol re the car alarm!!! Very funny when I heard it, nah, wasnt cranky :lol:

Glad you caught it Dan , something that will always be with us.

Great piccies too!!! I muffed mine a bit.

[erick]

Yes - the car alarm! :D Nice shots Dan :thumbsup:

[von Tom]

Great shots Dan - very nice :)

I'm sorry I missed meeting you guys at the Caravan Park. I woke up at about 1am that morning to the sound of what I thought was rain, but it was the wind in the trees :). I couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to go and set up in the location I had picked the day before, about 10km further west (not before accidentally turning on the air compressor, instead of the light, on my 5-in-1 power station). Got about an hours' sleep in the car there and was ready for the eclipse.

I left immediately after the eclipse (having changed one flat tyre and utilising the aforementioned air compressor!) to drive back to Brisbane and got back yesterday around 3pm. Got a sleep and now on night shift! The 4000km round trip was definitely worth it!

I'll post up my shots and videos when I get the chance.

[TheoP]

Everything was perfect on the day. We were worried about nothing ;-)

Thank you to all the great people I met on a dirt patch, sharing this great experience.

This was my third eclipse and I am sure that I will not stop chasing them. I might see some of you again on a lonely road somewhere in the path of the moon's shadow.

I have a few more images on my blog. See link below.

[Liz]

Great images Theo. :thumbsup:

I should have headed west but still saw the eclipse from the Caravan park, with some cloud interruption. :)

[Allan_L]

Hi Guys,
Arrived home again last night from Mt Cabine (2,500 km in 4 days).
Good to be home again!

Thanks to Liz and Eric and GlenC for your company.
It was good to share the experience with you guys.

Special thanks to Eric for driving us to (and back from) the post eclipse party.
Nice to catch up with previous acquaintances, and meet so many others.
Thanks JJJ and Jen for organising.

Disappointed that Mt Carbine did not produce an "Eclipse T Shirt".
But I managed to pick up a Mt Molloy T Shirt (and singlet) on the way home.
(close enough ! :) )
The inland route was definitely the better choice, fewer roadworks and negligible traffic. (plus a few hundred kilometres shorter). Although a chipped windscreen courtesy of a road train may prove expensive for the campervan)

Hope the non-IIS people I met take my advice and join the gang. It was great to spend so much time with you Phil Ron Dianna and Catherine.
Also ran into Phil on the way home, and shared some Chartered Towers dark skies with my 10"DOB. Andromeda galaxies looked fantastic. (can't see them like that back home!)

Now Roll on 2028, when we can play host to the IIS Sydney Eclipse gathering. And at mid day, we wont have them pesky mountains and trees to work around! :)

[Liz]

Glad you made it home safe and sound Allan. :)

Well done on the Tshirt - I had a look in at Port douglas but none that I could see- might try and order one online.

yep, roll on 2028 - I will help push the wheelie walker for you. ;)

[von Tom]

Here's a video I made of the event (also posted in Solar System images):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_d47knEdq0


Tom

[doppler]

Good clip we were a bit further up the road.:) great memories

[glenc]

If you want to see another eclipse here are the next three.

20 Mar 2015 Svalbard, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2015Mar20Tgoogle.html

9 Mar 2016 Indonesia, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2016Mar09Tgoogle.html
climate http://weatherspark.com/averages/34031/Palembang-Sumatera-Selatan-Indonesia

21 Aug 2017 USA, http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogle/SEgoogle2001/SE2017Aug21Tgoogle.html

and some more http://eclipse-maps.com/Eclipse-Maps/Welcome.html

Umbraphillia http://nicmosis.as.arizona.edu:8000/UMBRAPHILLIA.html

[trek1701]

After seeing my first eclipse as a boy in 1976 I’ve always had a passion for total solar eclipses.
After Phil’s Harts detailed reports leading up to the event, and after listening to Joe Cali’s recommendation on the Monday afternoon, we decided on the Tuesday to head up past approx. 65kM N.W of Mount Carbine near Adams Dam.
Plus I had vivid memories of the 2002 eclipse in Ceduna and of clouds persisting around the coastline.
After getting quite a few hours sleep in our hired campervan we found we had been joined by others of a similar mind, and the wee hours of the morning saw 40-50 eclipse chasers, including Joe, gathered at this site.
So here’s my effort taken with a Canon 60D with the 250mm zoom kit lens.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/85879856@N07/




Plus I have this video taken on a Canon Powershot nearby on a smaller tripod

https://vimeo.com/53767509



I’m already looking forward to hopefully seeing my sixth total in the USA.

Cheers Mark