Who says you can't get clear skies?

[Stardrifter_WA]

Look......Clear skies

These two photo shows Simmo and Brain Nordstrom and myself, at our new dark sky sight about an hours drive from Perth, which was found on a map by Simmo, so we went and checked it out last night. It is a great dark sky site, with a nice clear area, great northern, eastern and southern aspects, with not a hint of artificial light anywhere, as trees to the west hide any hint of low horizon sky glow from Perth.

We had, yet another, clear sky (sorry to rub it in) The seeing was absolutely crystal last night, with the only cloud in the sky to the south, that is the LMC and SMC Both the Tarantula Nebula and 47 Tuc stood out naked eye like beacons in the sky.

We have had an amazing run of clear skies in the the West now for a few months, and last night would have had to be one of the best I have seen in some time, with very little scintillation.

So, it will be back to this site again soon, hopefully with a few more participants. A couple couldn't make it last night.

If there any other dedicated visual observers in Perth who would like to join our small group, feel free to pm us.

Cheers Pete

[Stardrifter_WA]

A few more photos from last night showing the area.

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Ooooh Yeeeah BABYYYYYYYYYYYYY I'm'a comin great feeling that

Sounds perfect, not so far that it is unrealistic to do regularly but far enough to make for excellent skies.

Awesome! jealous as...although there have been a few clear nights here around Canberra this year too I guess ...but nothing to shout from the roof tops either

Mike

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Ooooh Yeeeah BABYYYYYYYYYYYYY I'm'a comin Mike

Noooooooooo Mike, you might just bring that bloody cloud with you!!!!!!

Brain Nordstrom came down from Darwin in November and he bought the clear skies with him. Since he got here it has predominately been clear. I told him last night that he cannot leave WA now. It is the longest run of clear skies we have had for quite a while, I think? At one point here, there were three certainties in life, death, taxes and bloody cloud!!! So, it is our time for the stars to shine.

Pete

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

AW Shucks mate , thanks a lot , but seriously the run of fine nights here in Perth has been awesome , 3-4 cloudy nights in 3 months ,,,, I am not complaining one bit and yes last night out at the 'Rock' not far from ( 25km) Brookland/field ? were easily equal to the best the far North throws up every dry season day ,,, HIGH PRAISE mate .

NGC5128's meat patty seen in 32mm binoculars .
47 Tuc all night naked eye (( and the tarantula ( LMG ) ) ..
The 'Needle' galaxy in Leo .
Saturn in the 'Fracs' .
Mars at 300x in the 10 inch ..
Zero city horizon sky glow .

What a good night .


This will happen again , thanks Simmo .

My big thanks again to Simmo .

Brian.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

OOPS , I have a few photos of last night as well in my new 41mp ( yes 41mp) Zeiss/Nokia windows phone to post as soon as I learn how to drive it .
Sweet photos , . Trust me .

Brian.

[MrB (Simon)]

Originally Posted by brian nordstrom

Brookland/field ?

Brookton?

I went out there in May 2004 to photograph comets C/2001 Q4 and C/2002 T7, both were easy naked eye.
Was an amazing dark spot, first time I'd driven out of the city for a night of astro.
I nearly ran out of petrol, just got back into Armadale early morning on vapours, fuel light had been yelling at me for ages. I learned then to carry a jerry can as backup!

And NGC5128 was naked eye out there, but my eyes were much younger then!

[N1 (Mirko)]

Great photos capturing just how much fun the absence of something can generate.

1 hour or between 60 and 80km seems to be the sweet spot for observing away from city lights. works for me too.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

That's it Simon , its a great spot .
Brian.

Originally Posted by MrB

Brookton?

I went out there in May 2004 to photograph comets C/2001 Q4 and C/2002 T7, both were easy naked eye.
Was an amazing dark spot, first time I'd driven out of the city for a night of astro.
I nearly ran out of petrol, just got back into Armadale early morning on vapours, fuel light had been yelling at me for ages. I learned then to carry a jerry can as backup!

And NGC5128 was naked eye out there, but my eyes were much younger then!

[LewisM]

I really really am tired of all these clear sky posts. Harumpf! (just like all the whingers who whinge when we whinge about the fragging cloud )

I stood to have a leak on the highway coming back from Monkey Mia at around 8pm when we lived in Perth. I could not see my hand in front of my face, but I sure could see a hang of a lot of stars, neb, and galactic lane!

This area was just before going back up the escarpment north of Pearce.

The other area that blew my mind was when we drove in to WA, and stopped the night at Salmon Gums. Not only FREEZING cold (mid summer!!!), but dark as coal.

I have found one EXCEPTIONALLY dark spot here in QLD, but it's 3.5 hrs drive from me.