Mark N
member
Reged: 01/03/06
Posts: 95
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If you could go to, say, the So. Hemisphere, or elsewhere of choice for 2-3 weeks, where would it be? When? What would you take for observing with? Would you come back? lol.
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hfjacinto
Almost got me
Reged: 01/12/09
Posts: 2959
Loc: Union,NJ
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I would go back to the Big Island of Hawaii, take my wife and kids, but I don't know if I would want to come back 
I wouldn't take anything, but I would go hang out with Erik and look through his scope 
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Celestron 9.25 w/FeatherTouch Focuser, ASGT Mount
Meade SN6 w/Moonlite Focuser, LXD75 Mount
Orion EON 80 MM APO Refractor
5,6,9 MM Zhummel Planetary 17 MM Nagler T4
31,36 MM Hyperion 15,19,23 MM Axiom LX
6.7,8.8 MM Meade UWA & 11,13 MM Nagler T6
Planetary, OIII and Narrowband Filters
Thousand Oaks Dew Control w Kendrick Heaters
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Tony Flanders
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 3919
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
If you could go to, say, the So. Hemisphere, or elsewhere of choice for 2-3 weeks, where would it be?
I did -- I went to Chile. Next time probably Peru. The astronomy's not as good, but the culture and history are more interesting. And I have family there.
Some day, southern Africa -- where I also have family. But that's a much longer and more expensive flight from the U.S. Likewise for OZ and NZ.
Of all those, NZ has the least favorable weather -- but the best mountains behind Chile and Peru. Mountains mean a lot to me.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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Coromandel
sage
Reged: 02/27/09
Posts: 332
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Quote:
Of all those, NZ has the least favorable weather -- but the best mountains behind Chile and Peru. Mountains mean a lot to me.
Ok Tony I will bite!
There are parts of NZ which have non stop rain and parts which are semi desert and seldom see a cloud for long periods. So you can't really say that NZ has the worst weather in that regard. If you were to build an observatory in Fiordland or the West Coast then yeah, you would not be a happy camper because those regions get as much annual rainfall as Hawaii! But like I said, there are places where the rainfall is very low and sunshine hours are very high.
One thing to remember too is that Australia and South Africa get a lot of cloudy periods as well. Just head on over to iceinspace and read the complaints about endless cloud and miserable weather from the Aussies. Plus both Aussie and Africa have to contend with lots and lots of dust, something that is unknown in NZ. Oh yes and there are the Australian bushfires which spread ash all over the place.
I don't know which place has the darkest skies. I'm going to call that a tie. I can't imagine a sky darker than some I've seen in rural NZ. Our cities and towns are a lot smaller than tghose in Australia and South Africa. There are only 4 million people in the entire country for starters! 
There are several spots in NZ which most amateur astronomers here have in their retirement wishlist where the sky is BLACK and clear and where there is no dust or ash. Oh and as some recent arrivals to NZ will tell you, we don't have snakes or dangerous bugs or animals either, which is important to a lot of people. 
So where would I go for an astro holiday? Probably MK or Chile! 
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brianb11213
Post Laureate
Reged: 02/25/09
Posts: 3210
Loc: 55.215N 6.554W
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Quote:
There are several spots in NZ which most amateur astronomers here have in their retirement wishlist where the sky is BLACK and clear and where there is no dust or ash.
Please elucidate ....
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Tony Flanders
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/06
Posts: 3919
Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA
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Quote:
So you can't really say that NZ has the worst weather in that regard.
Remember, with the exception of NZ, I was listing only places with superlatively good astronomy conditions -- the kinds of places professional observatories are sited. So having relatively bad weather in this company isn't such a terrible thing!
Austrailia is a small continent, and its best spots have very favorable weather indeed. If visiting Southern Africa, I would of course visit my relatives in South Africa, but for astronomy, I'd head to Namibia.
Quote:
I don't know which place has the darkest skies.
Not an issue. All the places that I listed have substantial areas with no perceptible light pollution at all.
Quote:
Oh and as some recent arrivals to NZ will tell you, we don't have snakes or dangerous bugs or animals either, which is important to a lot of people.
Frankly, you're not quite unique in this regard, but you're way off on one side of the spectrum. Judging by your comments, you worry more about critters than 95% of the population. And I consider most people -- most of the 95% who worry less than you -- to be irrationally fearful of these things.
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Tony Flanders
First and foremost observing love: naked eye.
Second, binoculars.
Last but not least, telescopes.
And I sometimes dabble with cameras.
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Hrundi
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/06/08
Posts: 1486
Loc: Estonia
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A chilean plateau is where I want to end up.
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deepskysurfer
member
Reged: 07/27/06
Posts: 13
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I really like to go to Chile and see what the views like from Paranal and La Silla Observatories.
The others would be the Big Island of Hawaii and Tavarua Island, in Fuji. I could surf all day then stargaze at night.
I'd be really happy with a simple Tele Vue 85.
What would I take back..?
Like I told a customs agent after he asked me if I was bringing anything back, after scoring perfect waves my entire trip...Memories.He just smiled at me and knew.
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Orion AstroView 6 EQ
Orion Express 80mm
10x50 binos
103 Messiers from the red zone
What a day for a night...
Edited by deepskysurfer (11/24/09 08:06 AM)
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Darenwh
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 05/11/06
Posts: 1434
Loc: Covington, GA
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Nothing like the surf. I spent four years on Oahu enjoying the surf but it was a time I was taking a break from astronomy and did not have a scope. I spent some time in January on the Big Island and would go back in an instant. I would seriously consider moving either there or Maui if I could afford it. All I can say in the end is... Come on Lottery.... 
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Daren
Covington, GA
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aa5te
Genial Procrastinator
Reged: 08/30/08
Posts: 597
Loc: Clinton, TN
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Quote:
If you could go to, say, the So. Hemisphere, or elsewhere of choice for 2-3 weeks, where would it be? When? What would you take for observing with? Would you come back? lol.
Elsewhere - Fhloston Paradise, Angel Constellation, Milky Way
ASAP
25x100 binos and tripod
Only if I had to save the universe
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Shane
Binos: Apogee 25x100 / Burgess Optical 25x100 / Pentax 20x60 PCF WP / Tasco InFocus 10x50
Refractors: Meade DS-2102AT-TC 102mm f/7.8; Sears Discoverer 3 (4454) 80mm f/15; Jason 313 Discoverer 60mm f/15.2
Dob: Hardin Optical DSH10 10" f/5
Zhumell & Celestron 8-24mm zooms; 6.4-52mm Plössls; Agena 30mm UWA; Zhumell 1.25" & Knight Owl 2" 2x barlows
Kodak Z760; Orion SteadyPix mount; Orion LaserMate Deluxe; Sunpak Platinum Plus Ultra 7500TM & Quickset Samson tripods
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Jay_Bird
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/04/06
Posts: 1032
Loc: Nevada 36N 115W
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Australia was wonderful for many reasons that make me want to go back as soon as we can (and see more of AUS when we do, plus NZ for that matter).
The astronomical highlights were first ever views of Canopus, Achernar, Magellenic Clouds, southern Milky Way and some famous DSO from dark skies through the wide 7x35 and 80mm short tube that we brought to TAS, VIC and SA. There were beautifully dark skies that I must travel 2-3 hours to equal at home, even living here in the SW USA.
Every national or state park we visited had good tent-camping sites, (with fairly deluxe showers, etc. compared to many USA park campsites). We went for long day and night hikes without finding any dangerous critters (although almost bumping into various big marsupials and stopping to make sure sticks on the path were really just sticks added some excitement to red-headlamp night hikes).
Australia fit the bill for us as a fun and friendly destination with many daytime cultural and natural sight-seeing highlights, and a new perspective on the night sky.
Edited by Jay_Bird (11/24/09 03:56 PM)
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Coromandel
sage
Reged: 02/27/09
Posts: 332
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Quote:
Remember, with the exception of NZ, I was listing only places with superlatively good astronomy conditions -- the kinds of places professional observatories are sited. So having relatively bad weather in this company isn't such a terrible thing!
Haha. So far there is only one professional observatory in NZ that I know of but it is in one of NZ's own places with "superlatively good astronomy conditions".
Quote:
Austrailia is a small continent, and its best spots have very favorable weather indeed. If visiting Southern Africa, I would of course visit my relatives in South Africa, but for astronomy, I'd head to Namibia.
I have observed from the Aussie outback and it's awesome when the weather is clear but you may be surprised at how cloudy it can get in the outback. I know I was. Most people are! The other thing is the heat. I can cope with cold, but observing and sweating at the same time is new to me and I don't like it at all. Still like you said - no LP at all if you go far enough away from the cities. Don't forget that dust and ash though! It gets into everything and everywhere.
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Frankly, you're not quite unique in this regard, but you're way off on one side of the spectrum. Judging by your comments, you worry more about critters than 95% of the population. And I consider most people -- most of the 95% who worry less than you -- to be irrationally fearful of these things.
I don't know about that. Some people move to NZ because we have no snakes or other dangerous creatures. NZ s like a country that was not included on the list of bad things. It's a good thing when all you have to be concerned about while observing is equipment malfunction! Read the threads on CN about guys packing guns or big sticks. Even the threads about mozzies is enough to make me want to burn my passport!!!
OK I think I have defended NZ's astro honour enough now. 
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Cotts
Just Wondering
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 1048
Loc: Richmond Hill, Ontario
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I'm going here, http://www.spaceobs.com/ in March. I will report. Dave
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David Cotterell
14th Floor Observatory
Richmond Hill, Ontario
200 mm Intes f/10 Mak-Cass
80mm WO Zenithstar FD
66mm WO ED
250mm Meade Lightbridge with Obsidian Mirror (Mar '10)
Discmount DM6
Canon XSi
99% Visual Observer - Double Stars, Clusters, Planets, Deep Sky...
Liberal Humanist Skeptic
Happy Citizen of Earth
"No matter how tall or short you are, your feet just reach the ground..."
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d1anderson
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 753
Loc: 33.8N 98.5W
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Quote:
If you could go to, say, the So. Hemisphere, or elsewhere of choice for 2-3 weeks, where would it be? When? What would you take for observing with? Would you come back? lol.
Tranquility Base with a specially designed face shield that holds and allows the changing of high eye relief eyepieces and a 30" Obsession.
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Clear Skies
Dewayne
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Z12 dob
MEADE DS2130AT NEWT 494goto
MEADE NG60 REFRACTOR
The more you look the more you'll see!
Don't forget to register at www.scopebuddies.com
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RLTYS
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/18/04
Posts: 2327
Loc: New York (Long Island)
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Mark
Anywhere with dark and clear nights. I admit I always wanted to observe in the southern hemisphere.
Clear Skies.
Rich (RLTYS)
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10" F4.8 Refl.
4" F5 Refr. (Genesis)
3" F4 Celestron FirstScope
50mm F12 Refr. (Tasco #6TE-5)
12x63 and 10x50 Binoculars.
"I want to do more then just look."
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Tom Polakis
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/20/04
Posts: 815
Loc: Tempe, Arizona
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Quote:
I'm going here, http://www.spaceobs.com/ in March. I will report. Dave
Dave,
I've made six trips to the Southern Hemisphere (4 Oz, 1 Namibia, 1 Chile), and Atacama Lodge will most likely be my next destination. Looking forward to your report.
Tom
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Tom Polakis
Tempe, AZ
Visual observing, DSLR photography, lunar & planetary imaging
http://www.pbase.com/polakis/
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Coromandel
sage
Reged: 02/27/09
Posts: 332
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Quote:
I'm going here, http://www.spaceobs.com/ in March. I will report. Dave
I've just added that to my list too.
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ebusinesstutor
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/01/09
Posts: 627
Loc: Nanaimo, BC, Canada
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Quote:
Quote:
If you could go to, say, the So. Hemisphere, or elsewhere of choice for 2-3 weeks, where would it be? When? What would you take for observing with? Would you come back? lol.
Tranquility Base with a specially designed face shield that holds and allows the changing of high eye relief eyepieces and a 30" Obsession.
Then you would be complaining about Earth light instead of moon light messing up your DSO search.
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Garland Coulson
Orion XT8i Dob
Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Click Zoom & Siebert Observatory 36mm
SkyWatcher Observing Chair
Webmaster, Nanaimo Astronomy Society
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Hrundi
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 02/06/08
Posts: 1486
Loc: Estonia
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Actually, on the moon, you could observe in broad daylight. All you have to do is block out light sources, as there's no real atmosphere to propagate light in the form of glow
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d1anderson
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/11/07
Posts: 753
Loc: 33.8N 98.5W
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
If you could go to, say, the So. Hemisphere, or elsewhere of choice for 2-3 weeks, where would it be? When? What would you take for observing with? Would you come back? lol.
Tranquility Base with a specially designed face shield that holds and allows the changing of high eye relief eyepieces and a 30" Obsession.
Then you would be complaining about Earth light instead of moon light messing up your DSO search.
Nothing an umbrella from the beach won't cure. When do we leave?
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Clear Skies
Dewayne
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Z12 dob
MEADE DS2130AT NEWT 494goto
MEADE NG60 REFRACTOR
The more you look the more you'll see!
Don't forget to register at www.scopebuddies.com
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