How far have you driven to see Comet Lovejoy?!

Grahame (Grahame) · #1 28-12-2011, 11:03 AM

Thought I would post the question:

How far have you driven so far (including return trips) for a view of Comet Lovejoy?

I racked up my biggest today @ 600km round trip which I suspect ends my comet chasing, need a break

Total for myself so far is around 1200km, and i thought this Christmas break would be uneventful!

Octane (Humayun) · #2 28-12-2011, 11:19 AM

Oh, bugger. I chose the 500 option instead of 1,000.

H

naskies (Dave) · #3 28-12-2011, 11:31 AM

On a whim, I decided to do a 900 km round trip overnight for my effort... so glad I did

I once drove 2700 km in three days (long weekend) with a mate of mine to see a large portion of Yosemite NP, Sequoia NP, and Death Valley NP - some beautifully dark skies there too.

I've been so impressed by the dark skies that I'm contemplating returning to Roma QLD this weekend to do a wide field sky survey of the summer Milky Way.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #4 28-12-2011, 02:00 PM

So happy to have found 2 good, fairly dark observing sites only a few minutes from home.

star1961 (Lisa) · #5 28-12-2011, 02:14 PM

Drove two minutes up the road to get clearer view and even though it's faded a lot I was extremely happy to see it!

rogerg (Roger) · #6 28-12-2011, 02:34 PM

I have to admit I've been a little lazy and a little occupied with other Christmas stuff so have only travelled less than 50km. It's been easiest to do most my shots from home. I might travel in the next week to get it in much longer exposures once it moves from the Milky Way, wait and see how the comet develops in that time.

michael_sa · #7 28-12-2011, 03:02 PM

...need a "stepped out the back-door" option

voted <50

astroron (Ron) · #8 28-12-2011, 03:07 PM

Two trips of ten kilometers each way,but the best results are from my own place here at Cambroon even though the comet is fading fast, it is the best I have seen it .
Cheers

swannies1983 (Dan) · #9 28-12-2011, 03:15 PM

I found quite a dark spot only about 15mins away. Have noted this for future reference.

Rodstar (Rod) · #10 28-12-2011, 04:12 PM

Down to Terrigal Beach from Point Clare, about 20 minutes drive, about 20 kms. I do not have a clear view to the east from where I live.

michaellxv (Michael) · #11 28-12-2011, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swannies1983

I found quite a dark spot only about 15mins away. Have noted this for future reference.

Do share.

I went out past Murray Bridge last night. Nice skies but not a great place to setup regularly.

WadeH (Wade) · #12 28-12-2011, 04:57 PM

I have flown 950km then bused a further 120km down a dirt haul road, then got up at 02:45 to see Lovejoy (this is one way!). Of course this was all part of my FI/FO for work, but I did see C2011/W3 so this counts, doesn't it?

rogerg (Roger) · #13 28-12-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WadeH

I have flown 950km then bused a further 120km down a dirt haul road, then got up at 02:45 to see Lovejoy (this is one way!). Of course this was all part of my FI/FO for work, but I did see C2011/W3 so this counts, doesn't it?

mozzie (Peter) · #14 28-12-2011, 05:21 PM

driven an hour odd north west of home to get away from coffs light pollution,up a dirt road on the back way to grafton,didnt see the house just up the road and the dog barked and barked and barked.thought the owner was going to come out and shoot me........

Kevnool (Kev) · #15 28-12-2011, 05:25 PM

3 kilometers for me thats enough to escape pesky street lights.
The view was worth it.

Cheers Kev.

shelltree (Shelley) · #16 28-12-2011, 09:28 PM

Just over 300km here! Drove to Currumbin and back with no luck. Drove down the road Xmas morning just to see it at 3am. Drove to Somerset Dam then on to Kilcoy and imaged all night long (and most of the morning) then drove all the way back home. Sooooo worth it! And more to come this weekend

tilbrook@rbe.ne (Justin Tilbrook) · #17 28-12-2011, 09:37 PM

Hi,

I had to travel 4 metres to the onsuite and look out the window.

Lucky for me!

Cheers,

Justin.

swannies1983 (Dan) · #18 28-12-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaellxv

Do share.

I went out past Murray Bridge last night. Nice skies but not a great place to setup regularly.

I found a few dirt roads NW of Mclaren Vale. Big difference from Noarlunga.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #19 28-12-2011, 11:06 PM

I actually Drove to my back paddock (was too cold to walk) and the Odometer didn't even tick over 1/10th of a k

But at least I went to the effort and drove somewhere to see it

Gem (Grant) · #20 29-12-2011, 08:17 AM

No long DISTANCE... but getting up the wife and three kids at 3:00am Christmas morning is a big thing!!