Observing Spots Around SE Melbourne

aussietx · #1 19-05-2008, 10:46 AM

Hi There,

My first post as a "member". I am an Aussie Expat living in Texas. My dad is into astronomy, has a 10" Bintel Dob and basically just uses it around his house in the SE suburbs of Melbourne. He's not too tech savvy so I'm posting here on his (and, I guess, my behalf)!

I'm visiting Melbourne for three weeks in July. Dad and I want to take his scope somewhere dark and relatively safe. I was thinking about some place on the eastern side of the Dandenong Ranges.

Can anyone recommend a place where folks feel safe enough to go? I know the Victorian Astro Society has a spot but Dad isn't a member (yet...). Any neat places east or south-east of Melbourne that folks can recommend?

Many thanks in advance,
Phil

Phil's Astro Blog

erick (Eric) · #2 19-05-2008, 10:52 AM

Look for a PM, Phil

aussietx · #3 19-05-2008, 10:52 AM

Well, maybe I found the answer - the Briars observing site at the Mornington Peninsula!

Still, any other pointers might be good. I live in Austin, Texas and we both a local site at the fringe of the city as well as a dark sky site further out.

Thanks again,
Phil

aussietx · #4 19-05-2008, 10:55 AM

Will do Erik, thanks!

erick (Eric) · #5 19-05-2008, 11:02 AM

Of course, I do have to say - Snake Valley Astron Assoc site!! But that's 2.5 hours west of the south-eastern suburbs, past Ballarat - but if you really want dark skies, that's a good place to go. And safe!

Louwai (Bryan) · #6 27-05-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Of course, I do have to say - Snake Valley Astron Assoc site!! But that's 2.5 hours west of the south-eastern suburbs, past Ballarat - but if you really want dark skies, that's a good place to go. And safe!

+1 Erick

MPAS is good, but not as dark as Snake Valley.
For convenience, MPAS.
There's always a comprimise I guess.

Starkler (Geoff) · #7 27-05-2008, 05:15 PM

SV is a lot more convenient for those in the north or west. What would be really nice if there was somewhere say an hour or so from Dandenong that has proper dark skies.

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #8 28-05-2008, 07:29 AM

On a clear night, you can see the Magellanic Clouds with the naked eye from the Briars, which is always a good indication of "darkenss". Not perfect, but you are only a few k's outside Frankston after all.

aussietx · #9 29-05-2008, 02:24 AM

Thanks to everyone for their responses, private and public! I think I have some good ideas for Dad and will try them out when I am over there myself.

Cheers,
Phil