Good observational spots in Melbourne - Page 5

bojan · #81 11-02-2009, 01:36 PM

If I go out of Melbourne, usually I go to Daylesford (a friend of mine has a farm close to it) and the skies are pretty good.. So I imagine Chris's location is also similar, if not even better (there are some annoying trees on that farm) :-)
Yes, I am for it, especially if there are more people there..
However, I am not sure for the end of this month, since it is almost 2 hours driving for me... and John's Hill is only 45 minutes.. (however it does not compare in darkness to any of those darker locations..)

chrisp9au (Chris) · #82 11-02-2009, 01:45 PM

G'day Bojan,
I work in Daylesford at the hospital, I'd love to see you up at my place in Kyneton, if only to say thank you for the job you have done. Bit late getting home last night so the PO was closed! I owe you a drink too! The end of this month is the ASV Messier night at Heathcote, maybe we could plan a night in March?
Cheers
Chris

GrampianStars (Rob) · #83 11-02-2009, 03:01 PM

G'day Chris
I've been to MRO not too bad sky bright from the south (Melb)
so if you have a mountain blocking Melbourne
I would confidently say better sky

would need to be an over-night session
as your 2 hours away via some dubious back roads

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

.....4km north of Kyneton with power available... a few km from the Macedon Ranges Observatory.....Melbourne is masked by Mt Macedon, bit of a glow to the NW from Bendigo...
Cheers
Chris

bojan · #84 11-02-2009, 03:08 PM

No worries Chris, it was a pleasure to help :-)
We will certainly have a drink some times in the near future :-)

chrisp9au (Chris) · #85 11-02-2009, 03:14 PM

You're right, a long way from the Grampians! But there's plenty of space to pitch a tent.

I would imagine you have darker skies over your way, why not host a night yourself?
Horsham, Stawell and Ararat can't throw too much of a glow?

At home there is a bit of sky glow from Melbourne, but most useful observing is above 30° altitude so no real problems. One thing I have realised is that my site is not really suitable for imaging, there are a lot of planes visible heading into Tullamarine, almost non stop over to the east, but MRO would have the same problem.

Cheers
Chris

GrampianStars (Rob) · #86 11-02-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisp9au

... there are a lot of planes visible heading into Tullamarine, almost non stop over to the east.......

Cheers
Chris

forgot about that particularly when they put on their searchlights

peterbat (Peter) · #87 12-02-2009, 07:56 AM

Hi Chris,
Kyneton sounds good to me - not that much difference in time from Thornbury to Kyneton or to the back of the Dandenongs.

Has a decision been made?
Kyneton or Johns Hill Reserve?
Friday 27 or Saturday 28 Feb?

I can only come on Saturday, but don't let me stop it from happening on Friday if more people are available then...
Peter

chrisp9au (Chris) · #88 12-02-2009, 09:08 AM

Peter,

The weekend of Feb 28th is the ASV's Messier Night at Heathcote, so I'm thinking we'll organise a night sometime in March. Working full time, I would prefer a Saturday night. Full moon is March 9th, so probably Saturday March 21st or 28th. Let' set a tentative date of the 28th March?, that avoids a clash with a family birthday on the previous weekend!

Clear skies!
Chris

dannat (Daniel) · #89 12-02-2009, 09:53 AM

I would like to goto the messier party at ASV also, I would like to see what i can snag with binos - am buying some 15x70 ultras..

March would be good

erick (Eric) · #90 12-02-2009, 09:58 AM

For info - Mar 28 is Snake Valley Astro Camp weekend.

chrisp9au (Chris) · #91 12-02-2009, 11:05 AM

Eric,
OK, the 28th is out, I might just try to come down to Snake Valley on the 28th, others might like to think that too.
There is no rush on this, we'll find a date that suits everyone that doesn't clash with other events.
Chris

peterbat (Peter) · #92 12-02-2009, 06:21 PM

OK,
anyone interested in going up to Johns Hill Reserve on Saturday 28 Feb?

Peter

bojan · #93 12-02-2009, 06:35 PM

Me :-)

I may also try to organise some of my work mates (like I did last year).. more, the merrier :-)

Of course it all depends on weather.. In the past, when ever I tried to organise something like that, it was raining that day..
I even considered to offer my rain-making abilities to farmer's association, but they were not interested :-)

erick (Eric) · #94 12-02-2009, 11:30 PM

My apologies for 28 Feb - It's a long drive for me now

If I didn't have another commitment that evening, I'd be heading for Snake Valley which is now much closer!

Have fun and post pictures.

pgc hunter · #95 12-02-2009, 11:48 PM

Chris - I am interested. Sounds like a good site, a damn sight better than my backyard anyway!

peterbat (Peter) · #96 13-02-2009, 07:56 AM

apart from the possibility of clouds and rain, there may also be a lot of smoke haze. I guess we'll have to play it by ear...

Peter

mick pinner · #97 15-02-2009, 11:11 AM

hi Peter, l live about 5 min from there so could meet on the 28th.

dannat (Daniel) · #98 15-02-2009, 08:58 PM

Further to this the ASV has re-scheduled the messier party to march 28th, due to bushfire/smoke...so I guess FEb 28 could be back on - then people can go snake valley / ASV in march

what do you think?

Alchemy (Clive) · #99 15-02-2009, 09:32 PM

for those interested theres a park at the end of DEE Rd in MILGROVE, on the southern sides of Mt Ben Cairn/ Donna Buang, its for a new walk along the old aquaduct great open view of the skies a reasonable distance from melbourne, no lights, parking for 15 ish cars, couple of tables. no toilet facilities but trees couple hundred metres away if desperate.

just wait until the fires have passed

Melways 289 A1

NCRAW · #**100** 16-02-2009, 02:34 PM

Im interested in Feb the 28. Johns Hill Reserve sounded good and close. I live around the doncaster area.