Wiruna - The ASNSW's Premier Dark Sky Site

Wiruna (Aboriginal for "Sunset") is the ASNSW's premier dark sky observing site near Ilford, about 3 hours drive North West of Sydney, between Lithgow and Mudgee in the NSW Central Tablelands.

Situated on 107 acres (43 hectares) of land owned by the ASNSW, Wiruna provides members with a superb dark sky observing site spread over two separate observing areas:

• The Main (Eastern) Observing field is approximately 25 acres in size, consisting of lightly forested camp sites as well as cleared, level grassed land, and is the observing field used by most members to set up their tents and telescopes. The Wiruna Light Use Policy applies when observing on the Main Observing Field.
• The Western Observing field has a small house, a small cleared observing area, and is the site of the Wiruna Radio Telescope, a project currently underway by a number of members interested in Radio Astronomy.

Wiruna has what could be considered to be the perfect layout for an astronomical observing site, with two separate observing fields catering for basically all types of observers. An image of Wiruna's Layout is available online, as well as maps of Wiruna's Location. For detailed instructions on how to get to Wiruna, please Contact Us directly.

"Among the eucalyptus woodlands in New South Wales, Australia, there is 100 acres of land designated for stargazing. Owned by a local astronomy society, the land has both observation facilities and basic accommodations, though most prefer to camp. Each year, the society hosts a "South Pacific Star Party," during which 200 to 400 people convene for a weekend of star watching beneath one of the world's darkest skies." --Forbes.com, 18 June 2008.

Observing Facilities at Wiruna

• 6” ƒ/8 hand-crafted antique lattice-style timber truss tube Newtonian reflector with 240-volt centrifugal RA drive on a timber equatorial mount;
• "The Ashtray" - A resident 10” ƒ/6 Dobsonian - Nicknamed "The Ashtray" after being burnt in a fire;
• "The Dob Kennel" - A resident 17½” ƒ/4.5 Dobsonian fitted with Argo Navis and ServoCAT, enclosed in a roll-off shed known as The Dob Kennel;
• "The Mike Kerr Observatory" – A resident 25” ƒ/5 Obsession Telescope fitted with Argo Navis and a tracking platform, enclosed in a roll-off shed;
• "The Wiruna Radio Telescope" – A 5m (16') Radio Telescope operating at 1420MHz (the frequency emitted by atomic Hydrogen). A laptop computer can be used in conjunction with a "WinRadio 1500e" receiver to receive and analyse any signals.

Accomodation and Other Facilities

There is some accommodation available, however most people prefer camping in one of the hundreds of cleared camp sites scattered amongst the surrounding dry eucalypt forest.

• "Bon Glen" Camping Area – Hundreds of cleared camping sites scattered amongst dry eucalypt woodlands, located adjacent to the main observing field – BBQ facilities are available throughout the camp sites.;
• "Argo Navis" – A four-bedroom dormitory with bedding facilities and 240-volt solar-power. Individual rooms may be booked by members.
• "The Max Gardner Hall" – A 9 x 15m meeting hall with 12-volt and 240-volt power outlets (Solar Powered) - Also used for overflow accommodation;
• The House – A two-bedroom house in the Western Field with flush toilet, hot shower, beds (linen not supplied), kitchen facilities, and 12-volt solar-powered lighting. (no mains power available). Individual bedrooms can be booked by accredited* members at any time, with the remainder of the house and its facilities remaining available for use by ASNSW members.
• An amenities block with 2 hot showers and 2 flush toilets adjacent to the Eastern observing field.
• An open-style kitchen and eating area with gas barbecues, wash basin, tables and chairs and an open fireplace.
• Various BBQ cooking facilities scattered amoungst the camp sites in "Bon Glen" and along the extremities of the Main Observing Field.
• Limited natural firewood scattered amongst the forested areas for wood-fired BBQ's and small camp-fires (except during fire-bans).

AstroCamps

Each month, over the weekend closest to New moon, the ASNSW holds an Astro-Camp or mini star party for members and prospective members. These weekends are the perfect opportunity for members and visitors to get together with other amateurs, to look through a wide range of different types and sizes of telescopes, and are perfect for new members to determine what type of telescope is best suited to their own personal needs. Anyone hoping to join us at any one of these weekend, can Email us to make any arrangements.

South Pacific Star Party

Each year since 1993, the ASNSW has hosted the famous South Pacific Star Party (SPSP) at Wiruna. These Star Parties usually attract between 200 and 400 people from across Australia and from around the world, and are a great opportunity to socialise with other members and amateur astronomers. The 18th Annual SPSP will be held over the weekend of 14 - 16 May, 2010.

Registrations are now being accepted, so Register Now to get the Early Registration Discount and to ensure your entry in the Lucky Door Prize Draw!

Activities

Wiruna is also a Bird-Watcher's and Nature-Lover's Paradise, with an abundance of Native Australian birds, Brush and Ring-Tail Possums, Wombats, and our own resident family of rather shy Kangaroos, which can usually be seen around dawn or dusk, and mostly in the Eastern Field. Native wild flowers are also in abundance during spring, showering colour across the observing fields and into the forests which surround the property. A Wiruna Bird List has recently been compiled setting out all birds which have been spotted and identified at Wiruna.

Wiruna is the site of the ASNSW's "Wiruna Radio Telescope Project", which consists of an old radio telescope currently undergoing restoration for use in the near future. Several other Member Projects are currently underway at Wiruna.

Regional Tourism

While Wiruna gives you some of the best, easily accessible night skies in the southern hemisphere, it is also the perfect base for a little regional tourism during daylight hours.

• The Wollemi National Park - Covering an expanse of over 493,594 hectares, Wollemi National Park is the perfect destination for visitors to Wiruna to make a day trip to. 200,000 hectares of this park is declared Wilderness Area, and is the largest remaining wilderness area in New South Wales. Access is limited, but there are a number of lookouts and attractions, including Dunn's Swamp, Ferntree Gully and the Glow Worm Tunnel.
• Sofala and Hill End - Former gold mining towns, Sofala and Hill End are well worth a visit to see the history of Australian gold mining days.
• Wine-growing Regions - Ilford has it's own winery, the Mountilford Winery, only 15km from Wiruna, but the whole region out to Mudgee and beyond is scattered with a number of fine wineries. The South Pacific Star Port comes from the Mountilford Winery, where you can make a trip to taste a number of fine wines or buy directly from the manufacturer.

Climate

If you plan to join us in the cooler months of the year, remember to bring plenty of warm clothes, as Wiruna often sees temperatures below freezing point during winter. Summer observing nights can sometimes be spent in short-sleeve shirts, however it has snowed nearby on Christmas eve in the past!

WeatherZone Forecast for Ilford, NSW

OzForecast.com Weather Forecast for Ilford, NSW

7Timer! AstroWeather Panel for Wiruna, Ilford, NSW

Yahoo! Weather Service for Mudgee or Nullo Mountain

Wiruna Statistics

Latitude:	33° 01' S
Longitude:	149° 46' E
Altitude:	1020m (3300')

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

Scheduled Observing Sessions at Wiruna for 2010

15 - 16 January 2010	12 - 13 February 2010	12 - 13 March 2010
16 - 17 April 2010	14 - 16 May 2010 (SPSP)	11 - 12 June 2010
9 - 10 July 2010	6 - 7 August 2010	10 - 11 September 2010
8 - 9 October 2010	5 - 6 November 2010	3 - 4 December 2010