Quote:
Originally Posted by Somnium
does anyone have any experience with observing around there?
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Ummm. yes...
I live in Killara and over 40 years have chased down every dirt road from Newcastle to Wollongong and inland to Lithgow.
Basically... I have 2 hobbies - astro and paragliding.
You have choice or north, south, or west, via fast roads. South is basically useless. North is better but limited - from Hornsby the population spread in the Hunter Valley means light pollution. Sure there are some passable sites like the Pony Club or the Watagans, but frankly they aren't all that great and their days are limited as this area is growing, fast. That leaves the high country west, and easy access to the M2/M7/M4 is a reason why I chose to live where we do. Blackheath is the winter paragliding site (6 months each year) and an easy 2 drive from home. It's also good for stargazing.
In short:
1. The NSAS has an observing site in Terrey Hills which is surprisingly good. For example the Coalsack is clearly visible naked eye and this is rare for a site close to Sydney, it is off Mona Vale Rd and an easy drive from the upper north shore. 10 minutes from my home.
2. Having used a private property at Mt White, this is definitely a good location. The downside is you will have to buy a property there as there is no publicly accessible site. 20 minutes from Killara.
3. To have skies significantly better than Terrey Hills, you have to drive 2h plus to the upper Blue Mountains to Blackheath or thereabouts. See
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=145957 Blackheath is exactly 2h drive from Killara, more or less depending on where you are. For Mental (eastern suburbs) its more like 3h each way which means an all-nighter for him.