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Blood Moon total elclipse on Jan 31st. Great vis in Australia
Posted by TerraHertz on 18 Jan, 2018 10:09 -
Not electronics, but interesting if you like looking at the sky.
https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2018-january-31
31 January 2018 — Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon)
(includes Sydney time eclipse schedule, and WEBM coverage.)
Fairly rare event, well overhead in Sydney, long duration total lunar eclipse. One night showing only, special edition, rated G.
It's a Wednesday night. Not great for those with day jobs.
And I have a big telescope, sadly neglected. Also now have an EOS camera adapter for it, which I've been meaning to try.
I'm thinking of an evening somewhere far enough out of Sydney to be actually dark (but reasonably short drive), high enough and clear of trees for good sky view, close to car parking (the telescope is heavy), but well away from traffic headlights. Meaning, somewhere that won't occur to a million others as a good place from which to watch.
Anyone else in Sydney interested?
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I came across one of these unexpectedly, 40 years ago.
The sight stopped me in my tracks, and I can still visualise it. -
I will be in the wop wops, at the beach in Northland NZ, well away from any city lights.
Hoping for some clear skies... -
Lunar eclipses are a lot of fun. Looking forward to pictures.
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I'm thinking of an evening somewhere far enough out of Sydney to be actually dark (but reasonably short drive), high enough and clear of trees for good sky view, close to car parking (the telescope is heavy), but well away from traffic headlights. Meaning, somewhere that won't occur to a million others as a good place from which to watch.
There are plenty of great spots up in the Blue Mountains (1 hr, 20 mins) drive from Sydney CBD. Perhaps one of these would be suitable: https://www.bluemts.com.au/news/7-stunning-lookouts-in-australias-blue-mountains/ -
There are plenty of great spots up in the Blue Mountains (1 hr, 20 mins) drive from Sydney CBD. Perhaps one of these would be suitable: https://www.bluemts.com.au/news/7-stunning-lookouts-in-australias-blue-mountains/
Funnily enough I was up there last weekend, going out to Lithgow area with friends. The fascination of old mines combined with 4WD fun.
Govetts Leap Lookout is on my short list. But the mountains are a little bit further than I'm thinking of.
Possibly somewhere like Bald Hill Lookout, at Stanwell Park. Some light pollution, weighed against a nice ocean view with the full moon rising over it. So romantic. Too bad I'll probably be there by myself.
Still thinking.
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The last time I saw one of those it was in a simply amazing setting.
These ruins also contain a great many astronomical observatories.
https://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/chcu/learn/nature/darkskypark.htm -
The last time I saw one of those it was in a simply amazing setting.
These ruins also contain a great many astronomical observatories.
It is also stunning on moonless nights. Grew up in LA and had never seen the Milky Way. Was driving through that area late one night in August/September, 1963 (Route 66). The Milky Way was so bright, I just had to stop the car, turn off all lights, and observe for awhile. -
Govetts Leap Lookout is on my short list. But the mountains are a little bit further than I'm thinking of.
Possibly somewhere like Bald Hill Lookout, at Stanwell Park. Some light pollution, weighed against a nice ocean view with the full moon rising over it. So romantic.
Depends where you're coming from I suppose. You won't be facing any traffic either way at that time of a weekend. If I'm travelling to the Mountains from the City, I usually take the M1/M2/M7 then onto the M4 from there. Yes there are tolls but I get most of it back at the end of the tax year anyway. Going that way, I can get from Pyrmont to the upper mountains in well under 1.5 hours and it's an easy drive, no stop/start and speed cameras like you get on Parramatta Road.
Stanwell Tops would be nice, but it's a very popular spot. That car park at Bald Hill isn't huge. Maybe Geoff (gnif) will let you borrow his backyard, he lives up in the mountains ;-) -
Isn't the moon going to be somewhat north?
I was thinking Mt Taylor over here in Canberra-land, but there's some time to scope out options... -
Depends where you're coming from I suppose. You won't be facing any traffic either way at that time of a weekend. If I'm travelling to the Mountains from the City, I usually take the M1/M2/M7 then onto the M4 from there. Yes there are tolls but I get most of it back at the end of the tax year anyway. Going that way, I can get from Pyrmont to the upper mountains in well under 1.5 hours and it's an easy drive, no stop/start and speed cameras like you get on Parramatta Road.
Well, from my place (East Hills) the biggest pain of driving to the mountains is just getting to the western freeway. And no I won't use toll roads except for the M5.
If I did want to drive a looong way for complete darkness and isolation, I'd maybe pick one of the clear-felled forestry areas out at Newnes, or off the road to Jenolan.
Btw, it's not on a weekend. It's a Wednesday night.QuoteStanwell Tops would be nice, but it's a very popular spot. That car park at Bald Hill isn't huge. Maybe Geoff (gnif) will let you borrow his backyard, he lives up in the mountains ;-)
Bald Hill isn't a very popular spot around midnight on a Wednesday, except for other eclipse-watchers. Also the car park has recently been greatly expanded.
There are some good spots along the escarpment edge too, but I'll have to check night-time accessibility.
I know of multiple remote bush clearings in the mountains with fire trail access, that would probably beat gnif's backyard.
But the drive is too long. Don't forget to factor driving back home after. Unless I go remote enough for camping overnight. Like Newnes. But that would exclude everyone who works the next day.