Some astroshots that I got in Oz

Hi guys

Heres some shots that I took with my basic point and shoot Cannon Powershot 540 down in Oz. (Hope y'all like!) The handy thing about this camera is that it has a basic manual setting that lets you play about with the exposure, aperture and ISO settings

Here is a shot I got of the moon coming up over Ayres rock. (Ps I didn't climb the rock!!!)



Next opportunity was at the Sounds of Silence dinner when I stole away to see what I could get of the southern Milkey way. I increased the expoure to 15 sec maximum, f2 and ISO 1200.

The skies at Ayres rock were just increadible and this shot in no way does it justice. I stacked two shots together in DSS and adjusted the levels in The Gimp. It was like a heavenly black curtin with the tremendous milkeyway arching overhead and straight down to the horizon....



I also got a chance to visit the observatory in Sydney and got this shot with the ights of Sydney in the backround.

Good stuff Dave!
That 'sounds of silence' dinner sounds cool.
How long do they leave ye in darkness?

Hi Frank

This is a dinner that serves you some bush tucker, kangaroo, crocadile etc.

At the end they turn off all the lights and an astronomer gives a talk about the sky, southern constellations and some sky lore.

You get about half an hour of total darkness but you can just go off yourself an take your shots any time.

Great evening:)

DB

Like the moon over Ayres Rock - Good to have ye back safe an' sound (not eaten by a croc or anything).

DavidBranigan wrote:

You get about half an hour of total darkness but you can just go off yourself an take your shots any time.

[/quote]

Me do this next year me thinks!

Great shots David.
Great skies down there. I'm going over for 2 weeks in October. Unfortunately I don't think my wife will want to camp out under a dark site somewhere so its Sydney Harbour hotels only.
Many years ago I spent the night sleeping outside on North Stradbroke island off the coast of Brisbane. The sky was pitch black-unbelieveable skies. Only wish they had told me the area we slept outside in (no tents) was infested with eastern brown snakes: blink: Mind you, after a few beers you don't worry about these things;)