terrible conditions in Melbourne are driving me insane and I'm wondering whether anyone can reccomend somwhere I can drive to this evening that may provide clear and darker skies? Willing to drive about an hour and a half
Satpic shows the high level junk clearing the SW of the state this morning, so I can only assume Melbourne might see some clear sky by late arvo/evening. I would suggest staying put. Melbourne might actually be the prime spot tonight, cloud-wise. Too far west and there's the risk of running into the mid-level band behind it, and east/north/NE you'll end up under the high cloud again.
I would defer to Sab's reading of the satellite picture for today. But normally we seem to have much better conditions north of the Divide. I wonder if you were to head up to around Kyneton - perhaps out towards Drummond or Lauriston you might well find a place to pull over with good wide raod reserv on a quite road.
Another option might be the rec reserve at Mia Mia on the Kyneton-Heathcote road near Redesdale. it would have very dark skies - It has a few cleared hills around it, but you would still get some good views.
Would I be better to look at a high terrain vantage point up there? Also will need to avoid hoons tearing around the country lanes I guess
Somewehere high would be ideal. I'm just not familiar enough with places closer to Melbourne than Castlemaine to suggest anything. I don't hink you have to worry about hoons - they like freeways more than rugged narrow country lanes. At least around here we never get them.
Not sure about the weather tonight, but in general, the further you go the better.
Last night I went for a drive up into the hills, departing around midnight.
I stopped every 10 kms and took a 30 sec exposure of the sky, directly overhead. I used a spirit level and a compass to get the same orientation each time. The idea was to take all the images on the same moonless night with the same camera within a short period of time. Then on the way home, I repeated the process just in case the total sky was changing over time. Unfortunately I got clouded out on the way home, especially at Site 1 and a little bit at Site 2 and at home. My pic at Site 2 on the way out was also out of focus, but you get the idea.
The stopovers were as follows:
Home = Donvale
Site 1 = Kangaroo Ground
Site 2 = St. Andrews
Site 3 = King Lake
So I say - get up to King Lake or as far away from Melbourne as you can get in a reasonable timeframe.
Thanks guys for your suggestions. That is quite amazing James! the difference is incredible. A really good way to demonstrate the light pollution in Melbourne. I took a drive this afternoon up to Kyneton to check a few places out. I found a country lane with a good 360 view near the end of a dead end road. Sits about 20-25 klms nor north west of Mount Macedon so should be quite good. Will let you know how I get on.
nooooo! dont say that, I'm just about to pack the car!
Maybe I should head south west?
In Melbourne, it's always a dilemma I've spent many hours agonising whether or not to set up (10 time trip minimum one way!).... it's the unfortunate reality of a climate as fickle as this.
It's looking alright now, that cloud to the north looks like staying north of the divide so you'll likely get some clear weather.
I jsut came in, I was out for a quick look at Jupiter and M42 with the 8" dob, but I couldn't take the mozzies and sweaty 30C temps anymore so called it quits.
Nice and clear up here at the Snake Valley club site.
Wren is here testing his new 12" Lightbridge and it is clear as a bell.
And Dark as usual
I just tried his old 8 incher for the first time. Seeing poor, but it appears the optics are atleast as good as in the SDM! I'm not staying out, the mozzies are murder and too warm to dress up against them. Nothing like being covered in sweat while swatting around your head
I've spent many hours agonising whether or not to set up (10 time trip minimum one way!).... it's the unfortunate reality of a climate as fickle as this.
I'm not staying out, the mozzies are murder and too warm to dress up against them. Nothing like being covered in sweat while swatting around your head 
