Gathering after the Eclipse

[bojan]

Are there any plans for star-gazing gatherings in the Cairns area after Nov 14th ? I will be in Palm Cove until 16th.. so it would be nice if weather holds to meet and spend some time star gazing - especially because there will be plenty of visitors from Northern hemisphere.. so we can show them what we have Down Under..

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Hi Bojan,

Where are you staying in Palm Cove? Or more importantly, where will you be observing the eclipse from?

I am taking the family to Palm Cove Caravan Park, right on the beach - arriving a number of days before hand.
Will you (or anyone else) be obversing the eclipse from that beach?

[bojan]

Chris,
I am not sure.. I am staying in Elysium Apartments (booked two years ago..) but where to observe from - no idea yet.

It seems the beach is not a good spot (high tide... and someone mentioned salt water crocks in one of other posts here on forum).
Plan was to go along Highway to the north and settle somewhere.

[ThunderChild (Chris)]

Yeah, I looked into the tides and Palm Cove is one of the beaches which looks to be Ok so long as you're not setting up lots of equipment.

Here is a short extract from this information source:
http://joe-cali.com/eclipses/PLANNIN...ers/index.html

Some beaches north of Cairns do not get completely covered during a 3m high tide. These include Kewarra beach, Trinity beach and Palm Cove. If you are just looking by eye or using a camera and tripod, these beaches are ideal.

Expert observers who bring telescopes should probably retreat inland a few kilometres to shelter from any onshore winds. The many open fields between Skyrail and the airport should provide adequate cover. These agricultural fields though unfenced, are private property. Please treat any crop plantings with due repect. Use the verges, don't trample the tilled fields and don't drive onto ploughed soil. You might damage the plantings or become deeply bogged.