For years we've been saying that we must clear some trees from the back yard. Six months into amateur astronomy and, guess what, it's done!
A huge pine (30+m tall) is gone and a couple of scrubby other trees. One large gum tree is left. We like that tree, the planet needs it and I can observe around it.
Now the washing line gets sunshine, the grass will start to grow (when it rains) and I can rake up the 15cm deep pine needles covering much of the yard ever since we moved in.
Here are a few photos of the "bombsite" - craters to be filled and hills to be leveled over the next weeks.
G'Day Eric,
Looks as though you've had a few B 52's fly of your area it sure cleared the back yard,and opened up a lot of sky,looks like a great spot for a Observatory
Cheers
Arthur
Just went out and had a look (tripping over pinecones and falling into holes ) - it's suburban-bright, but I can see plenty of sky now - and I can find some spots where the few streetlights are blocked.
Now, how to get Melbourne to turn off her lights after sunset??
) - it's suburban-bright, but I can see plenty of sky now - and I can find some spots where the few streetlights are blocked. 
