How far out of Brisbane?

[sletts02]

I've taken the plunge and bought myself a telescope, mount and dslr adapters... however, I am living in the city (Toowong) for the next 12+ months.

How far out of the city do I need to go to do some decent astrophotography/general observing?

Does anybody have any top places that are easily accessible by a '96 hyundai coupe?

Using Google Maps I came up with here as it seemed to be reasonably unpopulated. Or will 45 mins out of the city still be too light polluted?

Thanks for your help!

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by sletts02

. Or will 45 mins out of the city still be too light polluted?

Sadly, it's not just the 'city' you have to contend with. The cumulative effect of Brisbane together with Ipswich and everything in between is what counts and at that location you will still be in that zone. If you go a bit further west, onto the other side of the Marburg Range, you will limit that effect somewhat but also limit your eastern horizon. But since the skyglow will kill the first 15-20 degrees of that horizon anyway, you won't lose much anyway.
On the road that goes from Minden to Lowood, you may find something better.
But if you're just starting out and getting to know your equipment and learning about technique etc, a bit of skyglow will not be such a terrible distraction.

Peter

[Suzy]

You need to be at least one hour away from the city. When heading towards Fernvale, it was incredible, half an hour into the trip and I could see behind us all the light pollution from the city and nothing but darkness ahead. The extremes in the skies looking back and front was just amazing. I found the Fernvale, Wivenhoe area fabulously dark. Fernvale itself is a very small & beautiful town (Eagle Boys Pizza open for dinner too!) and from there I went, I guess about 10 mins out. The small amount of light pollution there didn't seem to inhibit viewing whatsoever to me- the milky way was blazing a bright trail across the sky.

For a little closer, I have a friend that lives in Mt Crosby and she's been trying to get me to get my scope up there- she tells me she can see the milky way - to what extent I don't know, but sounds like a good compromise.

[sletts02]

Originally Posted by Suzy

You need to be at least one hour away from the city. When heading towards Fernvale, it was incredible, half an hour into the trip and I could see behind us all the light pollution from the city and nothing but darkness ahead. The extremes in the skies looking back and front was just amazing. I found the Fernvale, Wivenhoe area fabulously dark. Fernvale itself is a very small & beautiful town (Eagle Boys Pizza open for dinner too!) and from there I went, I guess about 10 mins out. The small amount of light pollution there didn't seem to inhibit viewing whatsoever to me- the milky way was blazing a bright trail across the sky.

For a little closer, I have a friend that lives in Mt Crosby and she's been trying to get me to get my scope up there- she tells me she can see the milky way - to what extent I don't know, but sounds like a good compromise.

Yep I know Fernvale well... I was looking in to potential property there. Surely it won't stay "small" for long with the development sites and a decent sized woolworths already in place.

I should get quite a bit of time observing as my girlfriend lives in Kingaroy (hence driving through Fernvale every 2-3 weeks).

Now I just need to convince her that we should buy outside of Brisbane... hehe. Still have a year or two until that takes place though.

So, a minimum hr away - that's not too bad, especialy as a uni bum with time to kill

[steve000 (Steve)]

Originally Posted by sletts02

I've taken the plunge and bought myself a telescope, mount and dslr adapters... however, I am living in the city (Toowong) for the next 12+ months.

How far out of the city do I need to go to do some decent astrophotography/general observing?

Does anybody have any top places that are easily accessible by a '96 hyundai coupe?

Using Google Maps I came up with here as it seemed to be reasonably unpopulated. Or will 45 mins out of the city still be too light polluted?

Thanks for your help!

Im at Hatton Vale.. its verrry dark.

When my back is better and the weather settles down i'll let ya know, maybe we can arrange somthing

yes i busted it carrying my eq6 it was a little sore before lifting it.

[Oscar in Bin (John)]

Suggest WORLD ATLAS OF ARTIFICIAL NIGHT SKY BRIGHTNESS might also help. This is at www.astronomyforum.net/astronomy-locations/australia/

[Cec]

Hi Peter
I am at Plainland (future Brisbane Suburb), and even here you can see the night glow of Ipswich and Brisbane combined, I also get some night glow from Laidley and a small amount from Toowoomba. Being on top of a hill, the breeze is my major problem, but you cannot have everything.
Cec

[pistola (Pete)]

Howdy

I just got back from my first decent session with my Celestron 25x100 binos. I live in Newmarket and noted that the Brisbane Astronomical Society had one of their Star-B-Q's about 40 mins north of here recently, so I drove out there to check it out.

The site is here: Harrison Pocket, Vores Road, Whiteside

The viewing was very good. There's still definite glow from the city, but excellent viewing not far above the horizon. The milky way is clear. I saw my first cluster (Diamond Cluster) through the binos and it looked beautiful.

If you ever head out that way drop me a line, I'll join you.

Pete

[GrahamL]

My aunt lives out lowood way and the sky is reasonable , though I recall it gets foggy out there through the cooler months.

unfortunately big cities throw up plenty of light and short of getting well away its something we have to deal with . Brisbanes skyglow at 200 kms is easily visible down south .

[steve000 (Steve)]

Lowood, glenoregrove, laidley Hatton Vale all those places have down right amazing skys and as I have recently discovered a good astronomical following