Broke skies are great!

koputai (Jason) · #1 19-07-2009, 08:38 PM

While the throng had a great time at the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club last night, we had a (very) small gathering up at the Alpaca Farm at Broke in the Hunter Valley.
The skies were fantastically clear, Jupiter was very steady, the Lagoon was deep, and the Carina Nebula was hugely extended, especially with the Neb filter.
Equipment-wise we had Kendall with his 100mm 45 degree binoculars, and me with the little 8 inch Dob. Wives, kids, and friends all had a bit of a look/gasp session, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. Due to the cold (about 6 degrees or so) and warm cabins (and wives) waiting for us, we'd packed up by 11pm or so, but it was well worth taking the gear for the all too rare look at dark skies.

Cheers,
Jason.

leon · #2 19-07-2009, 10:30 PM

Good on you Jason,

it is obvious that you enjoy what you are doing, and wanting to share this great hobby, but mate 6 degrees is not that cold,

try minus one at 3 in the morning,

thank God for dew heaters.

Anyway glad you had a great time and got plenty of gasps.

Leon

Allan_L (Allan) · #3 31-07-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koputai

While the throng had a great time at the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club last night, we had a (very) small gathering up at the Alpaca Farm at Broke in the Hunter Valley.
The skies were fantastically clear, Jupiter was very steady, the Lagoon was deep, and the Carina Nebula was hugely extended, especially with the Neb filter.
Equipment-wise we had Kendall with his 100mm 45 degree binoculars, and me with the little 8 inch Dob. Wives, kids, and friends all had a bit of a look/gasp session, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. Due to the cold (about 6 degrees or so) and warm cabins (and wives) waiting for us, we'd packed up by 11pm or so, but it was well worth taking the gear for the all too rare look at dark skies.
Cheers,
Jason.

Thanks for thetipJason.
Sounds like I will have to check this out.
Are you planning regular trips out there?
Maybe post before next trip and we can organise a little star party convoy?

Do the Alpaccas wander around the guests huts?
That could be an issue.

koputai (Jason) · #4 31-07-2009, 10:36 PM

Hehehe, the alpacas are safely in their own paddocks.
That was a one off weekend for us as we were up there for the Running Festival. I can recommend the alpaca farm as a nice place to stay, with nice dark skies though.

Cheers,
Jason.

Wavytone · #5 09-08-2009, 05:06 PM

Considering a stay overnight... will bring 7" Mak...

Allan_L (Allan) · #6 10-08-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wavytone

Considering a stay overnight... will bring 7" Mak...

Hi Wavytone;
Hmmm!
22 August sounds tempting!
Do you have any prices, plans or proposals?

I must admit, I was originally thinking Pony Club for 22 August. (close, free, good company, reasonable conditions, OK skies)

But I am interested in seeing what Broke Skies are like, following on from the original thread here. (a bit further, reportedly great skies, unknown cost?, how many can be accommodated?, conditions?, facilities?, etc??)

BTW I am also considering another trip to a colleagues farm (about 20km west of Dunnedo) sometime soon. (quite distant, scant facilities, but virtually free, and great skies, and can accommodate a small group of interested (vouched) others).

So, where abouts is your "Cloudville"? - I am near Wyong.

So may choices, so little quality time (with good seeing conditions)

Wavytone · #7 11-08-2009, 07:42 AM

Still thinking about it, as an excuse to escape for the weekend.

I've observed from spots around Broke before, in the late 1980's. I don't regard it as particularly dark though, as there are too many towns in the Hunter Valley, and the air is loaded with a fine ash (from the power stations) which scatters light. Citydwellers are easily fooled.

This time it's more to take advantage of the other attractions by daytime.

Further northwest is another matter, on the hill above Lake St Clair, or Wallarobba, Gloucester or even Barrington. But if going that far may as well be on the other side of the range...

koputai (Jason) · #8 11-08-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wavytone

I don't regard it as particularly dark though, .......
Citydwellers are easily fooled.

Everyting is relative!

Quote:

Further northwest is another matter, on the hill above Lake St Clair, or Wallarobba, Gloucester or even Barrington.

Indeed. A good mate of mine has a farm at Stratford near Gloucester, and the skies there are a whole new load of awesome. He wants me to go up there with the scope this weekend, and my missus will be away with the girls.........but she's leaving me with the little car that won't carry the scope!!!

Cheers,
Jason.

Wavytone · #9 11-08-2009, 09:32 AM

Looking for a lift ? What'sthe scope ?