The first of three viewing nights at Mt Buffalo National Park was held last night. These are run under the Parks Victoria Summer Program by Bright Astronomy Club members. Unfortunate timing with the near-full Moon but it was cloudy last night anyway so we went for Plan B - a presentation in the building at Dingo Dell. Well-attended considering, with over 20 people including lots of kids. We talked a bit about the different telescopes we brought up and about viewing the night sky. Then a tiny window opened up and the people managed to get a quick glimpse of the Moon through a telescope hastily rushed outside!
There are two more nights planned, on the 17th and 24th of January. Anyone touring the area is welcome to attend. They'll be dark nights and if the clouds play ball you'll be treated to some fantastic Alpine transparency!
Just show up to a small picnic area on the shore of Lake Catani close to the Lake Catani Day Visitor Centre (signposted on the main road, turnoff a few kms past the Mt Buffalo Chalet turnoff), before dark on either night. If it's cloudy or wet we may run Plan B again, but it's up to Parks Victoria whether we actually do. Any IIS members would be welcome to assist - we could do with all the help we can get! Last year there were some big numbers on the clear nights.
Hi Rob, I'll be in Bright for the 24th and will be bringing my 7" mak... See you there if the weather is half decent. I've been up there once before so have a vague idea of the suggested location... Any chance of posting a screenshot off google maps ?
Hi Rob, I'll be in Bright for the 24th and will be bringing my 7" mak... See you there if the weather is half decent. I've been up there once before so have a vague idea of the suggested location... Any chance of posting a screenshot off google maps ?
That's great Wavytone, look forward to seeing you if you can make it! Google map from last year attached. Should add it's a free activity, no charges.
Second viewing night held tonight. Satellite didn't look good today with a big cloud band moving across the State from the west, matched by building cloud in the afternoon. But I went up anyway with my 6 yo grandson for company. The big clouds had gone by the time we got up the mountain but the sky was still very murky as it darkened. Venus & Jupiter were visible so we showed the people those while we waited for dark. Jupiter was great, seeing quite steady, and there were lots of oohs and ahhs over that one (me included!). Orion Neb was a tad underwhelming in the haze but when you explain to people what things are they get a much better appreciation.
As astronomical twilight was coming to an end the miraculous occurred and the sky cleared. We were able to show people great views of the Magellanic Clouds naked eye, and 47 Tuc, Sculptor Galaxy and Eta Carinae Neb through the scopes.
With constant queues behind each of the three telescopes and people going for 'seconds', that number of objects is a good tally for the evening IMO. I think all the participants had a great time, probably about 30 in all. One to go, next Tuesday at Lake Catani again. All welcome!
it was great to meet yourself and your Grandson last night. My kids & wife enjoyed the night, and the location was certainly spectacular.
Congratulations to yourself and the other two guys for running a great fun night ... it was amazing to watch the skys clear right on cue like that!.
Keep up the good work.
Jamie
Thanks Jamie, really glad you & your family enjoyed it. I know we did, it's a great place for viewing and it's fantastic to get people who are so interested in what's up there. I hadn't realised there was a fellow IISer in the group - were you the MPAS member?
Yes, that was really weird when the sky cleared - we should have claimed that we ordered it!
Should add it's a free activity, no charges.
