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  #1  
Old 09-08-2012, 06:58 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Finally a new observatory site! - Update

Wallaroo Observatory

Just nabbed a property outside Canberra
First photo is a 180deg view looking West towards the southern Brindabellas

At 610m ASL it enjoys 360deg full sky access and reasonably dark rural skies but most importantly...NO NEIGHBOURS!

Will be down there with Agi my McLaren Scope, next month...can't wait

Sorry but after not having my scope in my own backyard for 5 years and being at the mercy of pure light pollution and crap seeing for the last year and a half now ... I am just excited...so thanks for listening

Mike
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Last edited by strongmanmike; 21-08-2012 at 12:41 AM.
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Old 09-08-2012, 07:00 PM
TrevorW
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Congrads Mike looks lovely (apart from the clouds)
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Old 09-08-2012, 07:06 PM
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Tandum (Robin)
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Looks like the goods Mike. Do you own the top of the hill to the right as well?
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Old 09-08-2012, 07:24 PM
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Congrats, Mike! You'll have so much great data there'll be no time for repros
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  #5  
Old 09-08-2012, 07:44 PM
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Congrats Mike! You must be very pleased indeed!
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Old 09-08-2012, 07:55 PM
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DavidTrap (David)
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Congrats on the "tree change" Mike. What sort of observatory are you planning?

610m ASL - they've been predicting snow down to 400m in some places this weekend...

I've been using CCD Commander lately - fabulous to let the imaging rig run overnight while I sleep! Can't wait until my life progresses to the point that I can move to a permanent setup!

DT
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Old 09-08-2012, 08:11 PM
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Miaplacidus (Brian)
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Ah, the serenity...
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  #8  
Old 09-08-2012, 08:15 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrevorW View Post
Congrads Mike looks lovely (apart from the clouds)
Yes, I tried to work it better Trevor...but unfortunately NBN Co. doesn't have an office in Chile

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tandum View Post
Looks like the goods Mike. Do you own the top of the hill to the right as well?
No that hill is not part of the property but it is quite a few acres...when we inspected it I looked very carefully all around for all other houses, lights floodlights etc and couldn't spot much at all within koowee

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickS View Post
Congrats, Mike! You'll have so much great data there'll be no time for repros
...don't coun't on it

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Wastell View Post
Congrats Mike! You must be very pleased indeed!
Yep, can't wait to select the observing site, have a few acres to chose from

Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidTrap View Post
Congrats on the "tree change" Mike. What sort of observatory are you planning?

610m ASL - they've been predicting snow down to 400m in some places this weekend...

I've been using CCD Commander lately - fabulous to let the imaging rig run overnight while I sleep! Can't wait until my life progresses to the point that I can move to a permanent setup!

DT
Just an outside partial set-up for now = mount remains aligned and under a bag, scope comes in and out each session but noooo travelling anymore, twill be right outside my door

Attached is the view from the front gate looking away from the house toward the southern Brindabellas ...I think I have died and gone to heaven
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  #9  
Old 09-08-2012, 08:33 PM
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RB (Andrew)
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Awesome Mike, I know how hard it would've been for you to be away from a rural home setting for 5 yrs.

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  #10  
Old 09-08-2012, 08:52 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Awesome Mike, I know how hard it would've been for you to be away from a rural home setting for 5 yrs.

6 years now

Cheers Andi
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  #11  
Old 09-08-2012, 09:39 PM
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Nico13 (Ken)
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Great spot Mike,
Drove through that way a couple of years back when on hols, I think your on a winner there, very nice spot.
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  #12  
Old 09-08-2012, 09:46 PM
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RobF (Rob)
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Very happy for you Mike. We'll be expecting the next Southern Hemisphere digital sky survey to start soon!
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  #13  
Old 09-08-2012, 09:51 PM
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great site Mike, when is the observatory warming party
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  #14  
Old 09-08-2012, 10:07 PM
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sheeny (Al)
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Congrats Mike!

It looks the business!

Al.
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  #15  
Old 10-08-2012, 01:10 AM
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Way to go Mike.

It's a lovely area down that way. Enjoy your dark skies.

Cheers
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  #16  
Old 10-08-2012, 08:15 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Cheers boys ...looks like "I" won't be down there full time until mid Sept though....might make a trip or two in that time to set everything up.

Observatory will certainly need warming Bo, its cold in Canberra compared to Newcastle ...summer is ok though, can be hot and dry

Mike
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  #17  
Old 10-08-2012, 08:26 AM
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multiweb (Marc)
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Back under dark skies. Must be a good feeling. I can see the motivation to get out and image sky rocketing soon.
So what's the first target? M8 I hope.
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  #18  
Old 10-08-2012, 09:09 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Back under dark skies. Must be a good feeling. I can see the motivation to get out and image sky rocketing soon.
So what's the first target? M8 I hope.
Yep, I have several attempts at the Lagoon planned actually...plus then a few repro's..so bet ya can't wait

Mike
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  #19  
Old 10-08-2012, 09:54 AM
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SkyViking (Rolf)
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That's awesome Mike, congratulations!
I'll be looking forward to counting the mag25 background galaxies in your images now
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  #20  
Old 10-08-2012, 10:38 AM
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Fantastic Mike.

It looks very peaceful and you should get some great clear nights and decent seeing there with nice dark skies.

Greg.
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