Lake Moogerah QLD

[Rod66 (Rod)]

Does anyone have any experience with trying dark sky viewing from Lake Moogerah in QLD? and if so, what are your impressions?

thanks

Rod

[Davros (Lauren)]

many years ago at the Peperina Hill campsite (school camp) we had our own observatory. I think you would do OK.

[DavidTrap (David)]

I also had the pleasure of doing astronomy at Moogerah at Pepperina Hill. The glow of Brisbane wasn't a problem 15 years ago, but I can't say what it would be like now... Worth a try.

DT

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

You can expect Mag 6+ skies from there. If you want a truly dark sky then you will have to go further a field, but that area in general is very nice given it's proximity to the big towns.

I find that the immediate environment can be a challenge though. You can be in the darkest spot in the world, but if some jerk has a stupid external light near by, you may as well be in the 'burbs

[RobF (Rob)]

Rod,

There's a gathering at 10 Chain hill out Somerset dam way tonight if you can get away - see the Star Parties section of the forums for info.

[Rod66 (Rod)]

Hi Rob,

yes we had a bit of discussion about that in another thread. My method of pointing my scope at the right star is at odds with the good folks trying to take pictures.

I had a great night at Moogerah. There is the tiniest glow from Brisbane to the north, but that doesn't detract from the view. Seeing the sculptor galaxy for the first time and having it take up the whole field of view in the eyepiece was mind blowing enough. Pity about the clouds coming and going, only got about 2 hours viewing in around midnight.

Rod

[AlexN]

Rod..

I'm glad to hear you got some good viewing in..

I feel obliged to say that I was just joking around regarding the laser pointers in the 10 Chain Hill observation night thread.. In no way was I trying to say you were not welcome.. I hope it didn't come off as anything more than a joke..

Alex.

[Rod66 (Rod)]

Hi Alex,

don't worry, I didn't take offense, but in all seriousness, I really do use the laser pointer a LOT for pointing my scope and I know it would most likely end up on someone's picture. Many years from now when my astronomy budget is much bigger, I'll invest in an electronic pointing mechanism and I'm sure I'll be up there then.

cheers

Rod

[oosh (Jason)]

Sorry to bump this very old thread! I was just wondering what the best spot around the Lake may be. This Peperina camp site maybe? We went there in the hope of some sunset shots over the lake followed by a few hours of observing last night, though the cloud came over a little too much. We didn't leave enough time to search around the lake for a good observing spot, but we found this area surrounded by cow pats to take some sunset shots http://goo.gl/maps/YRwa

Just curious if anyone knows of a nice observing spot Cheers

[DavidTrap (David)]

Hi Jason,

Pepperina Hill is a private campsite belonging to a school - so it's not available to the general public. There is a caravan park on the lake. I haven't been out there since leaving school, so I can't speak with any confidence about where to go now.

All the best,

DT

[oosh (Jason)]

Ah ok I see - cheers David. I think we'll just get there plenty early and have a good drive around looking for a good spot Shouldn't be too hard... (famous last words?)

Cheers mate