Central coast dark sky

[shane (Shane)]

G'day guys,
Just a quick question here. How much darker is the night sky In say wyong when compared to western Sydney?
That's it... Easy one.
Regards, Shane

[bones]

Can't say I've spent a night in western Sydney and looked at the sky there. But you might get an indication if you look at the light pollution map that is on this site - can't find the link right now but I'm sure that someone will put it up on this thread soon. I recall it had to do with creating a light pollution overlay in google.

[supernova1965 (Warren)]

Here is the Light map that you can overlay in google earth

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Hi Shane,
Not such an easy one.
There are a lot of variables.
Moon phase, street lights, neighbours etc..

But since I have done some limited observing in Fairfield and Wyong I have to say that there is significant difference.
Even on new moon, where no lights around, the sky glow from Sydney tends to detract significantly from Fairfield sky.

To try and quantify it for you, IMHO: I would say that a clear new moon night in Fairfield may be equivalent to say a bright "quarter" moon in Wyong.

But the difference from Wyong to Mangrove Mountain (where we observe) is probably the same degree of improvement again.

Thinking of coming up for a look? You'll be very welcome.
Its on again this Saturday (probably weather permitting)
(hope this helps a bit)

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by shane

G'day guys,
Just a quick question here. How much darker is the night sky In say wyong when compared to western Sydney?
That's it... Easy one.

"Western Sydney" is a bit broad. Do you mean Burwood which is what all the trendies think, or Parramatta which is pretty much the geographic centre of Sydney, or Penrith which is about as far west as you can go before the mountains? Do you include Campbelltown or Glenhaven as the SW and NW limits of significant population in "west"?

Wyong would probably beat them all, with Glenhaven and points north running next.

[shane (Shane)]

Thanks. I realised what a loaded question it was seconds after posting. Sorry about that. I meant compared to Penrith however the comparisons with Fairfield to Wyong more than suffice. I'll check out the google map for light polution. Thanks again though.
Regards, Shane.