Quote:
Originally Posted by Dog Star
G'day Greg,
Don't know if you've ever been to Alice, but I've been to Roma. Used to go out there on shooting trips some 25 years ago.
I've been thinking about how your viewing would compare to mine and it might surprise you to know that yours is probably as good as mine, if not better.
As I mentioned in my post, I get a little light flare from Alice and Pine Gap. This is largely negligible due to the fact that both light sources are shielded by the Ilparpa Range in the SW (about 15 degrees from the horizon) and a bloody great chook shed in the NE (about 20 degrees)
Given that there are no mountain ranges around Roma and assuming that you're not viewing from the actual town area, your level of light pollution and unobstructed horizon views would probably tip the equation in your favor somewhat.
I know also that although Roma can be quite dry and dusty, I don't think that the amount of dust in the air would be anywhere near as bad as what it can be in Alice at times. Not only does that degrade the image somewhat, it also leaves a fine film of dust on the mirror. The dust isn't a year-round thing, but it occurs just enough to be a little problematic. Mind you, most nights are as still as, and the feeling that you could reach up and touch the stars, or "fall" heavenwards into them is a feeling that you could probably relate to. 
Not sure how the rain/cloud factor differs between the two places, but I suspect that I just might have the edge slightly there. 
I'm also blessed by the fact that all my viewing is done in my own yard, which is a BIG bonus. I could drive 5 minutes down the road to the local claypans, where the view is horizon to horizon, but in the 7 months that I've owned the scope I've never done it. I really don't think that the hassle of transporting the scope in the ute outweighs the convenience factor of observing from my yard. (Close to fridge, stereo, PC, coffee facilities, etc)
In conclusion though, if there is much difference quality-viewing wise between Alice and Roma, I think you'd need a razor to seperate them.
And let's face it mate, when you've got a 12"dob,  the sky is your oyster anyway! 
Cheers! |
Hey Phil,
thought I'd explain where I live exactly. Roma is the nearest decent sized town - and it's about 65km west of my position (on this site it is only about 30km.((AdrianF's distance when i read his posts)) dont know why?) I live on a property and the nearest town of any description is Yuleba, which is home to less than 300 and has maybe a dozen street lights. Yuleba is about 5km away as the crow flies, plus it is bloked by a ridge between it and my family's property.
So the viewing is acceptable
+ half a million acres of State Forestry on the other side of our boundary fence - if I was keen i could set up scope in the middle of that (there's even a 'claypans' out there) but like you I haven't done it yet.
Dust isn't usually a problem here, I think you called that right
Clouds lately though - I've barely gotten the scope out in 3 weeks.
And yes - jokes aside - the viewing here is incredible. I've mentioned before that I like to just sit outside in a chair and get lost in it. After living in Brisbane where you were lucky to see a dozen stars with the unaided eye, I fully appreciate how fortunate you and I are!
cheers