Help me plan astro trip from Spain to Australia

[PeterWar (Pere)]

Guys I feeld overwhelmed by this warm welcoming. Thank you so very much for the tips you've been providing so far, I'm taking them into consideration as I prepare for the trip.

Also, taking a plane trip is not going to be an issue, what place would you go in order to maximize the odds of clear skies in Australia?

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

Originally Posted by PeterWar

Guys I feeld overwhelmed by this warm welcoming. Thank you so very much for the tips you've been providing so far, I'm taking them into consideration as I prepare for the trip.

Also, taking a plane trip is not going to be an issue, what place would you go in order to maximize the odds of clear skies in Australia?

Pere
The North west of Western Australia is clearest at this time of year. The map is average 3pm cloud conditions for October.

Joe

[PeterWar (Pere)]

Originally Posted by OzEclipse

Pere
The North west of Western Australia is clearest at this time of year. The map is average 3pm cloud conditions for October.

Joe

Are there any guided tours in the north west?

[PeterWar (Pere)]

Just wanted to post a quick update, my final itinerary is:

Cairns from October 20 to October 22nd

Uluru (Ayers Rock): October 22rd to October 24th

Sydney: October 25th to October 27th

I expect to do the observing in Uluru the night of the 23rd and 24th and would like a little of advice, I've heard there are dangerous animals in the Australian desert, my plan is to just lay down with some good binoculars and observe the night sky (unless I can find some good astronomy guide and equipment for rent in Uluru).

What would you do to make the best of those two nights in Uluru?

Thank you!

[skysurfer]

Originally Posted by PeterWar

I've heard there are dangerous animals in the Australian desert, my plan is to just lay down with some good binoculars and observe the night sky (unless I can find some good astronomy guide and equipment for rent in Uluru).

You are confused with Africa (particularly East and South). Kangaroos / koalas are completely different from the 'Big 5" occurring in Africa and rather harmless.

Some spiders might be tricky, but that is everywhere in the (sub)tropics, so wear closed shoes and long pants during night outdoors.

[doppler (Rick)]

Originally Posted by PeterWar

Just wanted to post a quick update, my final itinerary is:

Cairns from October 20 to October 22nd

Uluru (Ayers Rock): October 22rd to October 24th

Sydney: October 25th to October 27th

I expect to do the observing in Uluru the night of the 23rd and 24th and would like a little of advice, I've heard there are dangerous animals in the Australian desert, my plan is to just lay down with some good binoculars and observe the night sky (unless I can find some good astronomy guide and equipment for rent in Uluru).

What would you do to make the best of those two nights in Uluru?

Thank you!

Hi, just a couple of links that might be of help.

In Cairns http://www.nightskysecrets.com.au/

And for Uluru https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/e...k-sky-journeys

Cheers Rick

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by PeterWar

Just wanted to post a quick update, my final itinerary is:

Cairns from October 20 to October 22nd

Uluru (Ayers Rock): October 22rd to October 24th

Sydney: October 25th to October 27th

I expect to do the observing in Uluru the night of the 23rd and 24th and would like a little of advice, I've heard there are dangerous animals in the Australian desert, my plan is to just lay down with some good binoculars and observe the night sky (unless I can find some good astronomy guide and equipment for rent in Uluru).

What would you do to make the best of those two nights in Uluru?

Thank you!

Cairns: Do yourself a favor and concentrate on daytime things to do in Cairns... the Daintree and Breat Barrier Reef are a must and if you spend too much time at night stargazing you'll regret sleeping in... ha ha

If you are going on a tour, you'll be limited to what you can do at Uluru.

There is a dinner event near Uluru that's passable, though I can tell you that the people who run the event are astro-novices and make mistakes pointing things out... great meal though. They had three SCT's setup for use.

If you are flying into Alice Springs and are driving (versus flying directly into Uluru), then you should visit the Henbury Craters.

Gotta say that my time in Central Australia was some of the best, camera and bino's in hand. The skies at Henbury and Mereenie were the darkest I've seen since being a kid in Perú.

Monday to Wednesday in Sydney will be tough, as the city is the financial center for Australia and people work-work-work... O.o

Have fun on your trip, hope you get an eye-full!
OIC!

[OICURMT]

Originally Posted by skysurfer

You are confused with Africa (particularly East and South). Kangaroos / koalas are completely different from the 'Big 5" occurring in Africa and rather harmless.

Some spiders might be tricky, but that is everywhere in the (sub)tropics, so wear closed shoes and long pants during night outdoors.

The only thing you need worry about are snakes... and even then, you'll probably never see one as all reptiles are rather shy.

After 12 years here, I've seen maybe half a dozen in my backyard (eastern brown), maybe a dozen snakes in the Cooper Basin.

As for kangaroos, believe it or not, they are dangerous, but only if they lay their paws on you as a way to balance before they kick... chance of that happening? I'd say slightly less than zero if you don't let one approach...

As for Koala's, they can be mean during mating season and their claws!!!

OIC!

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Out at Uluru, there` are not many trees so those vicious drop bears cannot get high enough to cause any issues (only kidding! drop bears are largely fictional!!) Seriously, snakes would be the only issue and they are found all over, and are mostly found in the parts of Australia which are not desert, there are probably hundreds of tiger snakes within a couple of kms of where I am typing this, they would be quite sparse out there and are usually inactive at night.
If planning on lying on the ground, ants are more likely to be a nuisance, painful, but not deadly.

Malcolm