ASNSW Observing Facilities
The Astronomical Society of New South Wales has two very well equipped observing sites. These facilities are available for use by all members, and regular observing sessions are scheduled each month for those members wishing to use these facilities.
We also have a wide range of Telescopes available for use by members of the ASNSW.
The Astronomical Society of New South Wales has two main observing sites at which we hold regular observing sessions for our members and visitors alike.
Crago Observatory
Crago Observatory is an observatory with a high class 16” ƒ/7 Dobsonian Telescope, enclosed in a large rotating dome. The Observatory is located on Bowen Mountain, in the Blue Mountains National Park, near North Richmond, about an hour's drive west of Sydney.
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Wiruna - The ASNSW's Premier Dark Sky Site
Wiruna (Aboriginal for "Sunset") is a 43 hectare (107 acre) dark sky observing site near Ilford, about 3 hours North West of Sydney, which has The Dob Kennel housing a 17½” ƒ/4.5 Dobsonian and The Mike Kerr Observatory housing a 25” ƒ/5 Obsession Telescope, which are available for use by accredited members. There is also some basic accommodation, as well as camping facilities, flush toilets and hot showers.
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The Wiruna Radio Telescope Project
The Wiruna Radio Telescope is one of our newest additions to the list of major facilities available to members of the ASNSW. The Radio Telescope consists of a dish approximately 5 metres (16 foot) in diameter, and operates using a frequency of 1420MHz. This frequency is quite significant in Radio Astronomy, as it is the frequency emitted by atomic Hydrogen. A laptop computer is used in conjunction with a "WinRadio 1500e" receiver used to receive and analyse the signals.
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Other Telescopes And Equipment
Other Astronomical Telescopes owned by the ASNSW, and available to ASNSW Members, include:
6” ƒ/8 Equatorial Antique lattice style timber truss tube Newtonian reflector with 240 volt centrifugal RA drive;
10” ƒ/6 Dobsonian - Nicknamed "The Ashtray" after being burnt in a fire, is used regularly at Wiruna;
12” ƒ/10 Cassegrain - Currently for sale by tender - Make An Offer!;
16” ƒ/7 Dobsonian Complete with eyepieces, Telrad, Finderscope, Argo Navis Digital Setting Circles and ServoCat GOTO/Tracking System;
17½” ƒ/4.5 Dobsonian Complete with Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer and ServoCat GOTO/Tracking System;
The Mike Kerr Observatory, which houses a 25” ƒ/5 Obsession Telescope fitted with Argo Navis and a tracking platform.
As always, the observing weekends at both observatories should be regarded as being designed for beginners and novices, as well as for more experienced observers. There are many members willing to take a newcomer under their wing and show them the ropes.
A special note concerning Wiruna: It is a user-pays facility, and fees do apply (see below). Anyone wishing to use the facility at times other than the organised observing weekends should inform the ASNSW Committee before going to Wiruna, to get the keys and code for the locks, and to pay your fees.
If transport is a problem, Email Us and we may be able to organise something for you.
Camping fees for Wiruna
During non star party times, the following fees will apply on a per person, per night basis:
| MEMBERS | | VISITORS | |
| Camping | $5 | Camping | $7 |
| Bunk House | $7 | Bunk House | $9 |
| House | $10 | House | $12 |
Accreditation For Use of the Society's Facilities
As some damage has occurred to equipment in the past, a system of accreditation has been implemented for the use of some facilities outside of normal scheduled observing sessions. Eligible members may apply for accreditation to use these facilities at times other than normal scheduled observing session.
Members wishing to gain accreditation for the use of any of these facilities are invited to Email Us for further details and to book a time and date for an accreditation session. There is a separate accreditation process involved for each of the Society's facilities, including the Wiruna Property, the 17½” ƒ/4.5 and 25” ƒ/5 Telescopes at Wiruna, and the 16” ƒ/7 Telescope and dome at Crago Observatory. « more »
