best spot

[pikpakboom]

i am having some days off soon and i am wondering if anyone can recommend a place i can go to, to use my nexstar 8i which i havent used for the night sky yet as i live in bondi, lots of light pollution here...i want to go to a place where noone will bother me as i attempt to see the night sky for the 1st time. thanks!

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

The Astronomical Society of New South Wales (ASNSW) has a dark sky site near Mudgee and 20-30 people meet there every new moon weekend. The next weekend meet is 1-2 August.
Geoff

[pikpakboom]

Thank you! I haven't been to meetings before, i'll try and check that out. Where do you normally use your telescope?

[glenc (Glen)]

This map shows light pollution from Newcastle to Wollongong and beyond.
It's a long drive from Bondi to anywhere dark.
Reference: http://www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages/fig9.htm
Sutherland Astronomical Society might be able to help.
http://www.quasarastronomy.com.au/society.htm#suthas

[pikpakboom]

Thanks. What do you think about the blue mountains? i'm planning on maybe staying somewhere there for a cople of days and try my luck. will i see good things with a nexstar 8i? im a total newbie to this. will i need something to prevent my telescope from fogging since it's cold?

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by pikpakboom

Thank you! I haven't been to meetings before, i'll try and check that out. Where do you normally use your telescope?

Lunar and planetary from Beecroft (suburb of Sydney), dark sky from the ASNSW site.

[Zuts]

Originally Posted by pikpakboom

will i need something to prevent my telescope from fogging since it's cold?

Hi,

I would suggest that to avoid dissapointment you at least by a heater strap for your C8. They can be made but can be got for about 50 bucks from Bintel.

It may fog up and it may not, but if you are going specially somewhere just for a look you may as well ensure it doesn't.

Ring Bintel or your shop of choice and they can advise you what is needed.

Cheers
Paul

[iceman (Mike)]

You've just missed the new moon weekend, so for the next 3 weeks the moon will be brighter in the night sky - so travelling to a dark site isn't really going to be much help. This weekend would be ok, but only if you plan on observing between midnight and dawn, as the moon will be in the sky before that.

For a not-too-far drive, why not try the Pony Club at Mangrove Mountain. A bunch of us meet up there every new moon. It's not "dark" but it's much darker than at home and much darker than bondi.

[wmzaphod]

Originally Posted by glenc

This map shows light pollution from Newcastle to Wollongong and beyond.
It's a long drive from Bondi to anywhere dark.
Reference: http://www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages/fig9.htm
Sutherland Astronomical Society might be able to help.
http://www.quasarastronomy.com.au/society.htm#suthas

Thanks for this link Glen, gee it's a bright world out there....

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by wmzaphod

Thanks for this link Glen, gee it's a bright world out there....

Yep, sure shows how good we Aussie's have it compared to the Americans and particularly the Europeans. I feel sorry for them.