Deepsky in Australia

[Olivier]

Hello

I'm a deepsky observer from Belgium. For my work I have the great opportunity to go to Australia (my first time, looking forward to it). I'll be during the weekend of 10 and 11 Nov in Sidney and would like to do some deepsky observation. I will not take equipment with me. Can someone suggest me where I could go (an observatory, a star party, or something else). That would be a tremendous experience (observing the southern sky is something I have never done).

Later in the week I'll be in Adelaide but I'm not sure yet if I'll have the opportunity to observe - I'll see this later.

Thanks a lot for any suggestions

Olivier

http://deepsky-astronomy.blogspot.com/

[iceman (Mike)]

You know the Total Solar Eclipse is on November 14?
Can you be in the Cairns area on that morning?

[Olivier]

No I dind't know. Never saw a total eclipse. And I don't think I will be able to see this one although I'm going to see what still can be organised (but quite doubtfull). Crossing fingers.

[skysurfer]

No equipment ?
Even not a pair of binoculars or a small scope (e.g. a short 8 or 10cm refractor) ?
I am from Holland and travel a lot and every trip I take my Televue Genesis with me.

[iceman (Mike)]

It'll be a partial solar eclipse for the rest of Australia, so you'll want some IceInSpace Eclipse Glasses

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Hi Olivier,

You are in luck, that weekend is a new moon weekend at "Wiruna" for the Astronomical Society of NSW. We have our dark site about 3hrs drive from Sydney.

If you make contact with them www.asnsw.com I am sure someone can give you lift. It is BYO everything ie food, bedding, tent, wine etc, there is limited onsite accomodation if you dont have a tent (but you will still need a sleeping bag, $50 from Kmart), and the society will work things out with you if you wish. We usually get 30-40 up there, maybe less this time because of the eclipse.

Dont worry about astro equipment, there is plenty to go around up there.

[Olivier]

Hi Trevor

Thanks a lot! This is great news. I'm surely interested to join on saturday evening.
I just wrote an email to asnsw secretary to look for joining someone to that will drive there on Saturday. Hopefull this works out!

I looked also on the website of asnsw for the Wiruna site but did not find what the usual sqm is. Any idea how dark it is there (in nelm or sqm)?

Thanks again.

Olivier

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by Olivier

Hi Trevor

Thanks a lot! This is great news. I'm surely interested to join on saturday evening.
I just wrote an email to asnsw secretary to look for joining someone to that will drive there on Saturday. Hopefull this works out!

I looked also on the website of asnsw for the Wiruna site but did not find what the usual sqm is. Any idea how dark it is there (in nelm or sqm)?

Thanks again.

Olivier

Hi Olivier,

Wiruna is a decent site. I haven't been there in about 5 yrs as I have other options closer to home. I usually get SQM readings of between 21.4 and 21.7 depending on Milky Way position and sky glow.

Cheers,
John B

[Olivier]

21.4 to 21.7

Whooohooo