ASWA Serious Deep Sky Observing
(ASWA SDSO)
What is ASWA SDSO?
ASWA SDSO (ASWA Serious Deep Sky Observing) is a section for those who are willing to travel reasonable distances for seriously dark sky observing with their astronomy gear.
A few ASWA members have been travelling as a group to dark sky locations within 4 hours drive of Perth since about 2005. The creation of ASWA SDSO in July 2007 is a formalisation of those existing activities with the aim to make it more visible to members of ASWA and potential members of ASWA, creating awareness that these activities exist within ASWA.
Our trips are typically to locations within 4 hours drive of Perth, more often 3 hours. They occur about once a month on the new moon weekend, but being a small group (2 - 6) we do often skip a month or two if no one is available, no one feels like a long drive, or weather is a problem.
We enjoy taking the weekend to have a relaxed drive and stay at a dark sky location, usually 1 to 3 nights depending on the distance and the type of accommodation. We take it easy and enjoy our time out away from the city. Being more of a "weekend trip" than a "short night out observing" it is not uncommon for partners/family members/friends/pets to come along also.
Accommodation varies between farmstay, camping, and cottage type accommodation. We often "rough it" camping, but not always. All suggestions of locations and accommodation options are gratefully received. Please, send in your ideas!
Would you like to participate in ASWA SDSO?
If you would like to participate in ASWA SDSO please 'book in' to come along, anyone is welcome. When considering whether or not to come along, it is best to keep in mind the following:
- You need to be self sufficient with respect to both food/general and astronomy equipment.
- Depending on the location you will need to organise your own accommodation or we will do it as a group.
- Due to the long distances and remote locations we all need to know what's going on, to know who to expect, if someone is lost, etc. So make sure you have contact information for others and we all keep each other informed. I always provide full maps, satellite photographs and contact details.
- Some members go to these locations to observe largely in peace and quiet by themselves, but with familiar company nearby. If you join in please respect others, keep in mind that not everyone wishes to spend the night chatting and sharing their scope, but are rather there to take advantage of serious dark skies in a safe environment.
If you would like to be involved at some time in the future, just ask on the ASWA newsgroup or contact ASWA and let me know. I'm more than happy to keep you on the list of interested people, letting you know what's going on, what's coming up, etc, without any obligation to ever turn up at an ASWA SDSO event.
What is coming up in ASWA SDSO?
The remainder of 2007 will most likely be spent at one of Kokerbin Rock, Watsons Way Farmstay, and Dryandra Lions Village.
2008 looks like it will include trips to the following locations:
- Kokerbin Rock (camping with toilets available)
- Watsons Way Farmstay (full accommodation)
- Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary (camping with showers & toilets available)
- Dryandra Lions Village (full accommodation).
How can you help ASWA SDSO?
Are you the owner/operator of a Western Australian farmstay or other country accommodation in Western Australia? Is your location dark, quiet and safe? Looking for a way to get more people to your accommodation? We would love to hear from you, please send details to ASWA .
Do you have suggestions of good places to go for ASWA SDSO? Please send details to ASWA .
You can help ASWA SDSO by simply being an ASWA member and coming along to enjoy the dark sky viewing and good company. If you'd like to be involved just ask in the ASWA newsgroup or contact ASWA .
