Hello...

[maksutover]

Hi everyone

Its my first post so i just wanted to extend my greetings and introduce myself. Im from sydney and am studying science at sydney uni. In terms of my experience in amateur astronomy, i have had a 150mm newtonian since i was like 15 and finally a couple of months ago i upgraded to a 200mm maksutov (saxon) hence the name ... (adore my creativity!). To be honest ive never been a serious observer, but rather a backyard or park going planet/moon gazer. The first thing i want to ask is about any good locations near sydney with relatively dark skies ?!?

Anyway, i'm happy to be part of this community and will try to be helpful.

Cheers.

[ving (David)]

hey, welcome aboard!

where in sydney are you?
I live near campbelltown, the skies arent great there but better than the rest of sydney. my astro society goes to a field near camden (the oaks) which is moderately dark, and to another place in ivan milat country which is pitch black.
there are central coast boys that i see on occassion who meet up at kulnura which is about as good as the place i go to near camden.
WS astro soc goes to linden observatory which is ok too.

hope this helps.

[maksutover]

Hi Ving

Thanks for the welcoming. Do you know if the route to wollongong has any good areas with moderately dark skies? If there are areas close to the royal national park, it will be great for me.

[ving (David)]

no idea mate.... there are some gong people here tho, maybe they can help

[astro_nutt]

Hi and welcome to IIS..hope to hear more of you in the near future!!
Cheers!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Hi Mak

[styleman333]

Heya there mate , welcome ....
Im a gong boy and as yet dont get my scope till xmas (a 8" Dob sitting in a box in the bedroom , slowly but surely driving me insane ) anyway ..... id imagine up the top of bulli pass would have some great sighting areas , up where the old petrol station used to be but more up the park area away from the lights. Thats where i'll check out if xmas ever arrives.

Id imagine there would be some great viewing spots up near helensburgh near bald hill also or more towards the national park .
Anyway ...... Welcome , its a great bunch of ppl here...

Steve

[maksutover]

Hey Styleman. Those are some interesting places for me to try out, especially bulli pass.

Cheerios.

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Hi and welcome - enjoy..

Cheers Petra