Brisbane and Light Pollution

[dclnmurray (Dave Murray)]

Hi All

I live in the Springwood area of South Brissie. Had the scope (10" dob) for about a month so itching to see more.

I have spotted a NGC253 but can only pick up a smudge being the middle section. Picked up a few more faint galaxies, viewed nebulas etc.

Would I see this better in dark skies and if so I am interested in driving out of the burbs to get better viewing. How far would I need to go as I was thinking around Pimpama/Ormeau way? My thoughts are to head out once every couple of weeks but don't wish to drive too far.

Any help would be appreciated .

cheers

Dave

[madwayne (Wayne)]

Dave

You could also have the moon conspiring against you at the moment, it will wash out faint stuff in galaxies and nebulae just as efficiently as light pollution. Just as well you aren't in Sydney, I spotted Jupiter through the cloud last night and that is the first light of any type I have seen in the night sky since I was sick and couldn't get out last new moon cycle two weeks ago.

You are on the right track heading out to a dark sky site away from the city lights, but not being familiar with South Brisbane I can't recomend anywhere for you unfortunately. I'm sure Alex or one of the other Brisbanians will be along at some point with some suggestions.

And finally with your heading out every two weeks, make it every 4 weeks on each new moon cycle and you will enjoy your viewing much more.

Good luck with it and have a happy and safe 2010.

Wayne

[dclnmurray (Dave Murray)]

Thanks Wayne.

Good point on the new moon. You to have a good and safe 2010.
I am heading out to Pimpama for the Southern Astronomical Society meeting around mid Jan so I'll have a look at what the skies are like then unless someone mentions an alternative place.

cheers

Dave

[Davros (Lauren)]

10 Chain Hill, out near Somerset.

[OzRob (Rob)]

You can have a look at this light pollution map to help you: Map

There is a link on the page to a higher resolution map.

[bokglob (Darrell)]

try cunninghams gap lookout.nice,quiet,fairly dark. get there before sundown,and the local ranger will let you stay and lock up later

[Tandum (Robin)]

Barambah dark sky camp is the darkest site in driving range I've been too.
It's sort of West of Gympie.
We saw detail on ngc253 through a finder scope there!!!
I dunno when the next one is due, maybe April.
http://www.darkskycamp.org.au/index.shtml

[citivolus (Ric)]

Originally Posted by dclnmurray

Thanks Wayne.

Good point on the new moon. You to have a good and safe 2010.
I am heading out to Pimpama for the Southern Astronomical Society meeting around mid Jan so I'll have a look at what the skies are like then unless someone mentions an alternative place.

cheers

Dave

Hi Dave.

The January SAS meeting will be at the new meeting location, in Ormeau, on Saturday 23 January at 19:30.

Regards,
Eric

[Tandum (Robin)]

Ric, is that a powered site or observing only?

[citivolus (Ric)]

Originally Posted by Tandum

Ric, is that a powered site or observing only?

My understanding is that the meeting will be in a former school chapel, on the perimeter of the school grounds. There is supposed to be room for setting up equipment, and no street lights in the area.

January is the first meeting at that location, so we're all still a little "in the dark" about it

Regards,
Eric

[hulloleeds]

Hi Dave,

Someone here told me to try out stayplton, which is a very much between the gold coast and brisbane. The views, particularly those that are not the direction of the gold coast are not too bad. I've been out there several times with no problems. Very quiet and you won't generally be hassled. The great thing is it really only takes 30 minutes from even inner city brisbane to get to.

Unfortunately, the light pollution is the least of the worries at the moment, the clouds have barely abated for a microsecond, this last month.

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

Hi Dave,
you could also try using a few LPR filters for observing under light polluted skies. Deep Sky, OIII and UHC filters might all be of assistance to you.

Dean

[dclnmurray (Dave Murray)]

Thanks Guys
When I go to Ormeau for the meeting I'll check out how dark it is there so this will be a good indication on suburban light pollution.

I have poured over sites with info on filters but I am more interested in the fuzzy galaxies which they reckon won't help. With my 10" I can only make out the middle section of the Sculptor Galaxy and the others around it and hoping to see these faint fuzzies clearer in darker skies.

If any readers here is going to the SAS meeting this month I wouldn't mind seeing how good different filters are before I fork out the expense. Interested in 2" UHC type filters if you are kind enough to let me have a look on the night.

cheers

Dave

[that_guy (Tony)]

im going to the SAS meeting but got no filters myself