New Viewing Site - Central Coast NSW

[Rodstar (Rod)]

For those Coasties out there I have sniffed out a new potential viewing site away from city lights. It is on the western side of the Somersby plateau next to the reservoir tanks on Reservoir Road (off Grants Road).

I'm planning to make a trip out there next weekend, by which time we're into Last Q, and the moon doesn't rise until 11pm (later than that where this site is!)

I'll let you you all know how it goes, cos you might like to check it out. It is only 15 mins drive from Gosford.

Rodstar

[iceman (Mike)]

Sounds good Rod, I knew there'd be some spots up at sommersby but just haven't driven around at night to find them.

Does the orange glow from the JJC affect it?

I'll look up a street directory and check it out!

[Rohan]

speaking of sites, if you guys have a GPS or your scope does can you please record the coordinates or any good astronomy sites. I'm hoping to put together a map of NSW to start with showing good sites so ppl can get away from the city. Any info is welcome, coordinates either lat long or easting northing (make sure you record the datum if your using easting northing).

Thanks

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Mike, I don't think the Juv Just Centre glow will be a problem because the site is down the slope on the other side of the plateau, with a reservoir in between...but I haven't checked out the sight at night so can't say for certain. It was a day trip to get some little ones to sleep! (Two birds with the one stone!).

Rohan, if it turns out to be a good site, I'd be happy to get the co-ordinates for you. That's a good idea.

Rodstar

[trufflehunter (Wayne Robinson)]

Rohan, that's a brilliant idea! I've been meaning to bring that up. It would be great to have a resource like that on this site where people can submit location details on their favourite 'dark sites' in their area. Definitely something worth brain-storming!

[iceman (Mike)]

Definitely, and i'm happy to host it on IceInSpace.

Also it would make a good addition for something else (which will be revealed, soon...).

[Rohan]

yeap easy for me as i'm a cartographer (map maker) so send me coordinates and i'll put them on the map. i brought the idea up on another forum so i'll just copy the message over here.

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Im in canberra, and for anyone else in the region this may be of some use. I'm work in a GIS field (map making) and was thinking about producing a map showing great sites for astromony. There would be conditions to this map, as in has to be within certain travel time from your location, camping facilites maybe, no mountains in the way, or ontop of a mountain. Bascially i can easily produce a map given these condtions. Only thing is for ppl to comfirm them as good sites. Also i can factor into the map any condtions ppl think are important, as in elevation, average rainfall, temperature, wind. Basically i give everything a weighting and then the computer will tell me the best sites.

Unfortunatly my house in canberra doesn't offer the best views, hence the reason i would like to know where to go close by for a few hours to get some dark skies, and also if the weather turns bad be able to get home easily and not waste a whole night.
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