Quote:
Originally Posted by allsmiles
So is there a public viewing area near the observatory at Crago or do you have to become a member??
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Hi Ahmad,
Great to hear you want to see the Milky Way at its best. Every year, we help
host visitors that come 12,000 to 15,000km to see it, so you are indeed lucky
that it is right on our doorstep.
The Crago Observatory is a facility leased and operated by the Astronomical
Society of New South Wales (ASNSW). The observatory itself is set up on a public
reserve and there are cleared areas for viewing.
The ASNSW web site is at
http://www.asnsw.com/
We strongly encourage visitors to come to the observatory at Bowen Mountain
on viewing nights or to one of the talks held routinely at Epping.
Here are the next Crago viewing nights -
20 & 21 February 2009
20 & 21 March 2009
17 & 18 April 2009
15 & 16 May 2009
26 & 27 June 2009
17 & 18 July 2009
14 & 15 August 2009
11 & 12 September 2009
9 & 10 October 2009
6 & 7 November 2009
11 & 12 December 2009
If you turn up, there will typically be people set up outside the observatory
with their scopes as well as people inside the dome observing on the club
scope. Simply introduce yourself to someone and I am sure you will
be made to feel welcome and people are usually more than delighted to
share the views through their scopes.
When you arrive, park in the cul-de-sac at the end of the road and
walk to the viewing area. Bring a low power red flashlight (or simply
a flashlight with some red plastic taped to the front). Avoid using white
light anywhere in the viewing areas.
If you eventually do become a member (membership fees are very affordable),
then there are numerous advantages, including access to the club's own
dark sky observing facility near Ilford, three hours further west.
There, much further away from the glow of Sydney, the night skies take
on a new dimension of beauty, with the Milky Way so splendid that it never
ceases to amaze no matter how many times you have seen it.
Best Regards
Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuirng-Gai
