Good observational spots in Melbourne

Nebs · #1 26-11-2007, 03:40 PM

Can anyone suggest some good, dark observational spots in Melbourne? I've been going to Mt Dandenong but I have to say, it's not the most welcoming place at night

Last week I went to Williamstown beach which provided some OK viewing but obviously not good enough.

So any suggestions? Ideally somewhere not too far away from Melbourne would be good, but an occasional trip a little further is also OK.

erick (Eric) · #2 26-11-2007, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebs

Can anyone suggest some good, dark observational spots in Melbourne?............

Sadly, no! Now you can find places without any direct lights in view, BUT the skyglow is somewhere from severe to significant, anywhere within 50km of the outskirts!

As you seem to have discovered, security can also be a significant concern.

If you want to stay within 40-50km , then you have to put the city on the opposite side to where you want to do your viewing that evening. So you really need to identify a few sites, N, S, E and W.

If you do get 50km away and get away from main roads, you can locate suitable places. There is one commercial venue and there are some club sites available.

To really enjoy the stars, you really need to drive for about an hour from the outskirts.

PM me if you want some of my humble suggestions.

Maybe others will feel I'm being too harsh on Melbourne

Campus Dweller · #3 26-11-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Maybe others will feel I'm being too harsh on Melbourne

You can never be too hard on Melbourne

Just leaving work, so won't be able to read any vitriolic responses until tomorrow

.

skairey · #4 30-11-2007, 11:24 AM

Try Macedon Ranges Observatory, www.darksky.net.au
They also have a few good events coming up including John Dobson in March, check out the door prize! Free hold title land, Sirius home observatory and Meade 8" LX200R.

My brother lives at Macedon and it's dark as.

goober (Doug) · #5 30-11-2007, 12:25 PM

Good question - I'm still looking

In Melbourne ... no chance of dark spots, I fear.

I've been to the Briars near Mornington a few times, not bad, but not great. Glow to the northwest.

I have tried two visits into the Dandenongs - bit unnerving. A lot of traffic at my site seemed to stop, make some sort of transaction, and depart quickly.

I've been given a few other suggestions which I'll try out. I also want to get up to Macedon and see what that's like, too.

erick (Eric) · #6 30-11-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goober

..... A lot of traffic at my site seemed to stop, make some sort of transaction, and depart quickly.

Trading eyepieces?

astro_nutt · #7 04-12-2007, 04:19 PM

I go to the road just outside the Kalkallo Cemetery just off the Hume Highway...only the odd car comes along and you do have some skyglow from Melbourne plus the lights from the hotel about 500 metres away..for this reason I set up a blind for any stray light..it's not perfect but only 25 kays from home!
Cheers!

SkySearcher (Daniel) · #8 04-12-2007, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astro_nutt

I go to the road just outside the Kalkallo Cemetery just off the Hume Highway...

Outside the cemetery; sounds like fun

shootin' star · #9 05-12-2007, 09:39 PM

It's a bit of a problem isn't it.
I've often thought about driving out beyond Yarra Glen way perhaps for a look, but being a petite female I am a bit worried about being all alone out the middle of 'nowhere' late at night. I'm not scared of the dark, just the the nutcases who might be lurking out there as well.

erick (Eric) · #10 05-12-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootin' star

It's a bit of a problem isn't it.
I've often thought about driving out beyond Yarra Glen way perhaps for a look, but being a petite female I am a bit worried about being all alone out the middle of 'nowhere' late at night. I'm not scared of the dark, just the the nutcases who might be lurking out there as well.

Hence clubs and observing nights with lots of people. Shootin' star - think about the MPAS site at the Briars on a public night.

I have to admit, my best observing is done when I am all alone in the dark, so I try to find places to reduce any risk when I want to be alone. However, I am a reasonably big lump of a male, and maybe have less to worry about?

How about a couple of us get together and head into the distant Dandenongs - I know a relatively close venue I feel fairly safe at - but i have to pick the nights that sporting clubs aren't there. (I don't lurk - but many do think I'm a nutcase!

)

goober (Doug) · #11 06-12-2007, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

How about a couple of us get together and head into the distant Dandenongs - I know a relatively close venue I feel fairly safe at - but i have to pick the nights that sporting clubs aren't there. (I don't lurk - but many do think I'm a nutcase!

)

It's a great idea - I've often thought about that myself. Two is safer than one, etc. After just coming inside from a session in the back yard with both neighbours outside lights on the whole time ...

... I need some regular dark!

tnbk00 (Daniel) · #12 06-12-2007, 07:43 AM

There are a couple of places I have tried out in the Dandenongs, the arboretum behind the olinda golf course is not too bad, but the trick is to keep away from the dusty dirt road, I'm always on the look out for new spots around there, and I know of a couple more in Olinda that I am keen to check out. I am interested in getting together for new moon nights in that area if anyone else is then PM me.

Actually on second thoughts another place I was considering checking out, was some of the farm land out the back of lilydale, ie go and check that the farmers dont mind first and then herd the cows out of the way......cows know a good observing spot i've heard

Daniel

Tannehill · #13 06-12-2007, 06:06 PM

The MPAS site is user-friendly, as is the company, and reasonable drive from Melbourne. But yes, good but not great, especially anywhere north of zenith. (being a Norte Americano, I do not look north of -20 declination anyway....so it's no matter to me).

Unless I get a burst of energy I think I'll be unable to head up to Snake Valley this weekend, and may find myself at MPAS tomorrow or Sat night (looks more like Sat night from weather report). If you are interested in evaluating the site, feel free to PM me or just show up..if it's clear I'm sure there will be folks out there, you can introduce yourself to whoever there....

scott

vespine · #14 07-12-2007, 10:13 AM

oh cool, this is the thread i was looking for, i'm going to drive out to the MPAS site on saturday night, have been there a few times but not very recently. Looking forward to it, here's hoping for good seeing, i'm on a mission to Mars!

damnfine · #15 08-12-2007, 06:20 PM

As someone just starting out this is a good topic for me as well..

How about flinders , specifically the golf course?..I was down there a few weeks back and found a spot about 40 meters from the road where you can sit amongst some small shrubs and be invisible from the road..
Only issue is some trees nearby that block up to about 20% and also the fact that your on a golf course. Though this spot is about 20 meters form the fairway so i am not sure anyone would care too much???
There are plenty of spots close to the road if your not worried about hoons mugging you..
Though is being so close to the sea a big issue(as i said just starting out so know fa)??

I am also looking around the neerim- noojee area as that according to the light pollution map is out of the blue and into the grey area so fairly dark..With the pakenham bypass it should only be an hour - 1:10 for me to get home so not too far..That may be another option.

tnbk00 (Daniel) · #16 08-12-2007, 06:29 PM

I know some good spots round noojee. Head out the loch valley rd, there is a camping area called the poppolas (as in the tree...not bad spelling) anyway that could be ok depending on how many peeps were there. Flinders bit too far for me, and i guess MPAS is to until the new fwy opens.

rmcconachy · #17 05-01-2008, 01:24 PM

For somewhere quick to get to from the eastern suburbs the gravel entrance road into the Coldstream airfield isn't too bad if you don't want to look at anything in the west (towards the city). However, being in a slight hollow it does fog out easily.

kitty · #18 08-01-2008, 10:17 PM

Hi Erik. i met you at an observing night at Glen Waverley last year. i would be really interested if you can get a few together to venture into the Dandenongs.
Like Shooting Star, i don't like to venture away on my own at night & my other half has to get up too early for work to hang out too late, i start later than him. i am in Ferntree Gully. kitty

bojan · #19 08-01-2008, 10:54 PM

I used one spot (with car park) in Kallista (near arboretum) couple of times, it is reasonable as far as LP is concerned...
Never had a problem with other visitors (only once I was asked for a spare cigarette) and apart from car or two with people with particular 1/2 hour business, it is pretty isolated.
I even organized star gazing party for my work mates there and we spend a very pleasant evening...
Perhaps couple of us can try it out next new moon?

erick (Eric) · #20 09-01-2008, 05:53 AM

Often difficult to organise such ad-hoc observing groups, but we can only try.

I guess the possible weekends are 1-3 Feb and 8-10 Feb. I have some of those evenings free, I hope. Fri 8th is Snake Valley club night (sadly I'm busy that night).

Maybe boojan's location? Maybe another?