The Tasmanian Earth Resources Satellite Station or TERSS is located on Droughty Point just outside of Hobart CBD. It is an X-band ground station and was designed and built in Australia, primarily used to record wind readings and to receive satellite data. It was installed in 1993 and began collecting data from 1995 until it was decommissioned in 2011.
For quite a while now I have wanted to feature it in some night time photography and I was finally granted access. Unfortunately the TERSS was demolished the following week after I took this which makes me a little sad. I got super lucky that in its last week standing we got some decent aurora activity along with some clear night sky and I was able to capture this image. I was stoked to at least give the satellite station a good send off!
30-4-14
Canon 5D MKIII + 14mm f/2.8
20 secs, 2500 ISO.
Dish light painted by the city lights near by.
Hobart, Tasmania
Excellent image James! You timed your access perfectly. I've driven (and sailed) past this dish numerous times, because my parents are just over the range at Acton Park. I didn't realize that there were plans to dismantle it though.
Have you tried to get access to the U Tas radio telescope site in the coal valley? I tried a couple of years ago but didn't get any clear nights... Would be a good place for nightscapes I think!
You already know how much I love this one. But to sound like a broken record- Brilliant image mate and a perfect farewell tribute to this structure.
Cheers Greg! Yeah it certainly was a good last hurrah!
Quote:
Originally Posted by StephenM
Excellent image James! You timed your access perfectly. I've driven (and sailed) past this dish numerous times, because my parents are just over the range at Acton Park. I didn't realize that there were plans to dismantle it though.
Have you tried to get access to the U Tas radio telescope site in the coal valley? I tried a couple of years ago but didn't get any clear nights... Would be a good place for nightscapes I think!
Yeah it all happened very quickly and yeah I was just lucky to have the opportunity to get some final snaps of it! I have tried a couple of times to get shots down at that telescope but it's all private property and they don't like you roaming around there for OH&S reasons. I was told this by someone that works there and I haven't been back since! It would be good to organize an "authorized" visit in future and try and get some good night snaps of it!
Cheers,
Stephen
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutch2
Lucky you were able to get the image before the dish was demolished.
Fantastic job, well done.
A fitting tribute .Glad you got the pic you should send it to the appropriate department that decommissioned it.Perhaps they will think twice before knocking something else down.
Hey wow, Congratts James This should go down in History's Page somewhere, somehow, I dont know how, but it should
It a lengendary captured scene and circumstances. Well done in deed, I say
