Practical Aspects of Observing in Chile

(Shneor Sherman) wrote in message . com...

I went south a couple of years ago, to the twon of Alexandra on New
Zealand's Southj Island, at latitude 45° south. It's an excellent
observing location, skies around mag 6.5 (sometimes better, sometimes
a bit worse) and there are local astronomers as well as a 21" newt.

Interesting! The only other time I was in the southern hemisphere,
I spent most of my time in New Zealand. Unfortunately, I was
astronomically unconscious at that point in my life, for reasons
that are a total mystery to me now.

Anyway, much as I enjoyed my stay in N.Z. (about a month), I had
written it off for astronomy because I remember it as having very
fickle and rather stormy weather. But I had forgotten about the
area in the lee of the New Zealand Alps, which does indeed tend to
be pretty clear. I gather from your reports that you had an anxious
time with the weather, but lucked out for the most part.

Being at lat 45S instead of 30S would obviously be a big boon, and
a resident 21-inch Newt is an added attraction. But the near-
guarantee of clear weather in Chile (or Namibia, or to a lesser
extent Australia) are mighty attractive for what might be a
once-in-a-lifetime trip.

- Tony Flanders

(Tony Flanders) wrote in message m...
(Shneor Sherman) wrote in message . com...

I went south a couple of years ago, to the twon of Alexandra on New
Zealand's Southj Island, at latitude 45° south. It's an excellent
observing location, skies around mag 6.5 (sometimes better, sometimes
a bit worse) and there are local astronomers as well as a 21" newt.

Interesting! The only other time I was in the southern hemisphere,
I spent most of my time in New Zealand. Unfortunately, I was
astronomically unconscious at that point in my life, for reasons
that are a total mystery to me now.

Anyway, much as I enjoyed my stay in N.Z. (about a month), I had
written it off for astronomy because I remember it as having very
fickle and rather stormy weather. But I had forgotten about the
area in the lee of the New Zealand Alps, which does indeed tend to
be pretty clear. I gather from your reports that you had an anxious
time with the weather, but lucked out for the most part.

Being at lat 45S instead of 30S would obviously be a big boon, and
a resident 21-inch Newt is an added attraction. But the near-
guarantee of clear weather in Chile (or Namibia, or to a lesser
extent Australia) are mighty attractive for what might be a
once-in-a-lifetime trip.

- Tony Flanders

I was told that the weather was unseasonably bad...but it was well
worth it in any case. Just seeing two huge galaxies hanging in the sky
is amazing. But the other spectacular objects are breathtaking. I did
have a difficult time with the upside-down constellations. IMHO, any
amateur who can should travel south. In Australia, arrangements can be
made to rent an 18" (and smaller telescopes are also available).
Clear skies,
Shneor Sherman

(Shneor Sherman) wrote in message . com...

I did have a difficult time with the upside-down constellations.

Yeah, it's weird, isn't it? I mean, we northern observers are used
to watching constellations like UMi and Cas rotate 360 degrees, or
Orion rotating 150 degrees (or whatever it does). You wouldn't
think that it would be so hard to recognize (say) Ares or CMa or
Sag when it is upside-down. But it is.

It helps to turn your head upside-down, insofar as that is possible.

- Tony Flanders