Dark Sky Trip

Saturday was the date for the local astronomical society's annual trip to view the night sky from the darkest possible location, a spot fifty five kilometres South-West of the island. The trip had been postponed from the end of last June due to bad sea conditions. This time conditions were near perfect with a calm sea and cloudless clear sky.

The aptly named Galaxy steamed out for some two and a half hours then turned off the engine and lights to allow us to enjoy the greatest spectacle in nature, the universe we are part of.

Unfortunately, light pollution hides much of the night sky and there are no really dark sky locations on the island. The wonders of which we are deprived are revealed far away from the shore beyond the reach of the artificial skyglow.

The greatest wonder in the sky is the Milky Way itself. In the dark sky it is not the hardly visible pale patch, but a large band arching across the sky, all its structure revealed. The light and darker areas are a wonder to behold. Areas like the Cygnus Rift, the parts in Scutum, Sagittarius, Cygnus and Cassiopeia are stunning. The darkness also brings out objects such as M8, M7, M31 and the Double Cluster as easy naked eye targets.

I had studied the exact positions of Uranus and Neptune to be able to observe them. Uranus was actually visible to the naked eye. Neptune was easily visible through binoculars. Among the other objects observed through binoculars were M11, M13, M22, M24, M27, M103. I was especially pleased to see M33 which I have always found to be elusive. Other highlights were stars in the constellations Grus and Phoenix close to the southern horizon. The night ended with the rising of the winter constellations as Gemini and Orion loomed over the Eastern horizon.

This now yearly event is an unmissable occasion to view the magnificent night sky and observe the wonder of the universe.