Winter sky...small scope??

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Folks,

I'm starting to sort my stuff out to travel and I'm stuck deciding whether to bring my little travel scope (70mm refractor) or try squeezing my trusty C8 into the overhead bin...

So how is the winter sky for viewing? I'm keen to get out seeing something, but is the weather likely to cooperate? What are the unmissable winter objects, and will they be up to much in the travel scope? Or is more aperture needed to do them justice? Globs from here start getting interesting with C8 but I hear you've got brighter starlight there

My entire existence for up to a couple months must go either in the hold or carried on board, but if I plan carefully I might be able to manage the bigger scope (although the mount is a different story)

Any thoughts? Experiences? Horror stories?

Also, I'm going to be in Sydney CBD initially but hope to hire a car and escape the light dome to somewhere dark..but to where?

Cheers,
Dunk

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Dunk, if you haven't been south before, you NEED to see:

Eta Carina nebula
Tarantula nebula and the rest of the LMC (getting a bit low in the west but still observable)
Omega Centauri - you've not seen a globular till you've seen this. Truly.
The Jewel Box open cluster in Crux

Actually, come to think of it, Crux itself is pretty darn impressive as an asterism. All the above should be interesting in the 70mm. It *should* also split the Alpha Centauri double, just - again, worth doing as a visiting northerner.

All these would be fantastic in the C8 (I'd bring it just for Omega alone). The C8 will also let you see:

Centaurus A (really nice if you can get to a darkish site, and unlike any other galaxy you'll see)
NGC 4945 (one of the best large moslty edge-on spirals there is)
M83 - a classic large slightly barred spiral, face on, our version of M51 or M101 :-)

There are many, many others - you could spend two months with the C8 just surfing nebulosity and open clusters in Carina alone, especially with the C8 but the 70mm will let you see plenty there. None of which you'll ever see in England.

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

Aperture always helps.

Why don't you buy a scope new or 2nd hand while you are here? It sounds like you are here based in Sydney for a while.

You can get an 8"-12" dob for a reasonable price and sell it before you leave.

I don't see the logic to bringing a C8 with no mounting.

Joe

[pmrid (Peter)]

Because you're (I assume) going to be using your scope visually, aperture counts for a lot. An equatorial mount of any kind (even the new iOptron ZEQ25s) will be difficult for traveling. The Dob idea seems to be the most practical one - a collapsible truss Dob of at least 8" would be readily transportable, quick to set up and satisfying to use. Try these for a for good second-hand dobs. Perhaps some good soul has one they could lend you for a while. You never know. Just bring your favorite eyepieces.

Our southern winters bring us the centre of the Galaxy at prime time and what a feat of goodies are waiting there. The recently published book "Southern Gems"by Stephen O'Meara would be a pretty good companion for your purposes.

My 2 cents worth.

Peter

[Wavytone]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

I'm going to be in Sydney CBD initially but hope to hire a car and escape the light dome to somewhere dark..but to where?

Hi Dunk,

Leave the C8 behind and don't worry about 'scopes, but bring 2-3 eyepieces just in case. I doubt you will have any problems using someone else's if you rock up at one of the usual observing nights. Arguably the most important thing will be to decide what you'd like to see first, so bring an atlas (or Sky Safari Pro on an iPad). If you ask around here you might even be able to share the drive with someone else.

A few candidates:

a) Blue Mountains, Katoomba Airfield; watch this forum to see when its on http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/f...splay.php?f=16. This site is about 1h 45 drive from the city and dark enough for casual observing of deep sky stuff, its a reasonable compromise if you want to drive home the same night. Usually the visual scopes present range from a 7" Mak, a few C8's, a 13" dob and occasionally a 17" dob.

b) ASNSW has two sites - an observatory at Mt Bowen with a 16" Dobsonian, though this is has worse light pollution than the Katoomba site. Alternatively they have a dark sky site on at a property - Wiruna - about 3-3.5 hours drive from Sydney. This is a weekend trip, you will need to be prepared to stay the night (or two). Some big dobs there, too. http://www.asnsw.com/node/755

c) Northern Sydney Astro Society has a location on the northern city fringe, about 40 minutes form the CBD at Turramurra golf course http://nsas.org.au/observing/ On a clear night you will just barely see the milky way and a few galaxies are visible in say a C8 or 10" dob. The seeing at this site is often good, if planets are your thing.

d) SAS has an observatory on the southern fringe about an hours drive from the CBD, though it is rather more light polluted than the Turramurra site and mainly used for public outreach nights http://www.sasi.net.au/index.php?opt...d=22&Itemid=35

If you really feel the itch badly, I suspect you could buy a dob secondhand or even borrow one (there must be a few C8's or Meade 8's not being used), so having your own eyepieces is probably a good idea.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Thanks everyone for your input, much appreciated! Getting more excited daily, but I'm sure the jet lag will sort that out

At this stage I'm not sure if the assignment will see us in the south for one year or two, so I don't want to miss out on opportunities. The C8 is manageable by itself, but I'd need to pick up portable mount there (AZ4 or similar) The travel scope and all accessories fit in a small backpack, with tripod in the hand. They're familiar, known quantities. Hmm. Decisions to make. Fave eyepieces are ready to pack, weather hear has been poor for May and I doubt I'll need them again before wheels up

I'm not averse to spend, so I'll look into the options some more. Space in the city will be limited but the aim is to move out to the suburbs in time for our stuff to arrive from the far north.

How long does the good season last? Sounds like I might need my coat, gloves and hat from reading other threads.....

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Hi Dunk
I cannot speak for Sydney but down here in Vic observing can be done all year round clouds permitting. Even in the depths of winter, temperatures rarely drop below zero C and in summer you can often observe wearing shorts (mozzies permitting).
The best time of year for objects IMHO is March/April. Down here it is possible to go out and see at the same time M42, 47Tuc, Omega Centauri, the Tarantula Neb and Eta Carina. Later in the evening the Leo Triplet along with the other Leo galaxies followed by the Virgo cluster come available. And then Scorpio and in the early morning Sagittarius.
Cannot get better than that.

Malcolm

[naskies (Dave)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

I'm not averse to spend, so I'll look into the options some more. Space in the city will be limited but the aim is to move out to the suburbs in time for our stuff to arrive from the far north.

First of all, I get the impression that northerners under-estimate just how bright the Sagittarius half of the Milky Way is at a really dark site. I've experienced a few nights over the past couple of years where an overhead Milky Way casts a notable shadow behind objects on the ground (much more noticeable than the Orion half) - it's really quite an experience!

There's a *lot* to see just with the naked eye - the "emu in the sky", the run of nebulae down the central dust lane of the Milky Way, the LMC / SMC, globular clusters (Omega Cen especially), constellations, and so forth. Add a pair of binos (highly recommended - even just for browsing) and you'll be entertained for months.

On the other hand, if you're *moving* to Aus - rather than just visiting on a short trip - my two cents would be to go all-out and make the best of the opportunity. Something like a 16" GSO truss dob goes for $1999 here. If you aim conservatively and budget a second half sale price of say 50-70%, you can just treat it as a rental for your 1-2 years Even better - you can place a few wanted ads and try to have one lined up in time for your arrival.

Good luck for your trip!

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Sounds like there will be plenty to sink my teeth into, although I think I'm going to miss the Double Cluster... the sacrifices we have to make to see a galaxy shadow

A big problem most of us northerners have to contend with is light pollution. I've had our version of the Milky Way jump out on me at a dark site, but those nights are very few and far between, especially now we're in the season of no astronomical darkness (lasts about 3 months at this latitude)

That 16" Dob looks very interesting though, but it's not going to go unnoticed even if it's cheaper than the equivalent here. I have a C8 because its small and light but with decent light grasp, even from the orange suburbs here. Once we're settled, I might not be able to resist the temptation to invest in a larger scope, and from the sound of things that's going to be better justified there than here just because of the amount it could get used. I'd probably need a bigger car to carry it too I've been out only half a dozen times this year because the weather has been foul. Still got the heating on in May

[Wavytone]

Originally Posted by barx1963

I cannot speak for Sydney

Night-time temps in the city typically get down to 10-13 degrees C. Lower Blue Mountains its gets down into single digits C and woollens and a beanie on top are usually sufficient, not uncomfortable.

Upper Blue Mountains (Leura to Blackheath) it is usually around zero late at night but it can fall to -6 as the altitude is around 1000m, a decent parka and thermals are a minimum and ski gear or a freezer suit desirable if you will be outside much of the night. Dew/ice/frost are minimal as its dry sandstone country.

BTW At the Katoomba airstrip there is a heated cabin to warm up in.

[Suzy]

Hi Dunk
So are you coming out for a holiday or to live? If you don't mind me asking that is. .

Here's a list I did a while back- it's designed more for beginners really, listing objects that are the bright showpiece ones and which are very easy to find.
Highlights of the Winter Sky

Another great book to consider is the Atlas of the Southern Night Sky (y Steve Massey & Steve Quirk). It's filled with colour pics, the book is large so the full page maps are large and easy to read, and details the objects of interest beautifully.
Hmmm that's strange- I'm trying to find this book on-line and fishpond and bookdepository are coming up unavailable for it.
Here's the book with link anyway- you may have better luck somewhere else.

http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Atl.../9781742570648

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Thanks Suzy! We're moving on assignment, hopefully for at least a year or two and then who knows?!?

I hope to see the highlights before too long... actually, a spell under the southern sky with a scope has been a dream for some time...sometimes life takes you by surprise

[Jon (Jonathan)]

Originally Posted by Suzy

Here's a list I did a while back- it's designed more for beginners really, listing objects that are the bright showpiece ones and which are very easy to find.

Hi Suzy,

Where's the last you mention? I'd like to have a look. I want to give such a lis to my son, who's just starting out, with my old 5" Newt.

[Suzy]

Dunk, how fantastic for this dream of yours to be finally realised.

And oooops seems I forgot to put my link in. It's in there now.

Jon, I've got a 10" scope, but I've been doing a lot of observations with my 4" newt. in the last 6 months. It's surprised me no end how much is visible despite light pollution thru this scope! I'm sure your son will have a great time with that 5".

[FJA (Faith)]

Originally Posted by Camelopardalis

Thanks Suzy! We're moving on assignment, hopefully for at least a year or two and then who knows?!?

I hope to see the highlights before too long... actually, a spell under the southern sky with a scope has been a dream for some time...sometimes life takes you by surprise

Very envious! I wish i could have moved to Australia but it's too late for me now.

[Poita (Peter)]

Originally Posted by FJA

Very envious! I wish i could have moved to Australia but it's too late for me now.

It's never too late. Come on down!

[Poita (Peter)]

Dunk, leave the scope at home. You can borrow one of mine for the duration of the trip if you like. If you have room in your car you can take the 10" SCT, or if not I have a smaller scope you could borrow.

[FJA (Faith)]

Originally Posted by Poita

It's never too late. Come on down!

I applied a few years ago, got turned down.

But, I can always visit and will be doing just that again next March.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread!

[RobF (Rob)]

I'd go so far as to say you're in for a treat just look up during the DAY too Dunk. You haven't lived until you've seen a deep blue clear southern hemisphere sky on a clear winters day.

Posting here is a great plan. I hope some Sydney side IIS'ers take you under their wing regularly. To be honest the last couple of years have been unusually cloudy down here, but if you're here that long you'll have plenty of clear dark nights. Just be prepared to drive a few hours to get out of Sydney's extensive light dome and outlying suburbs.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

It's happening!!! Everything packed up and I'll be arriving in Sydney later this week

In the end, I bit the bullet and bought a peli case big enough to hold the C8 and mount head and be chucked in the hold - luckily it's an 8SE so I won't be hunting for Polaris all night

Now all I need is for the weather to play ball and somewhere to go - any suggestions / recommendations from anyone around Sydney next weekend (8,9 June)? I'm hoping the jetlag will work in my favour and I'll be able to keep my eyes open while driving......