Places to photograph aurorae in Tassie

[Analog6]

I am going to try and do a quick dash down when the next one comes - it's usually a day's notice and I can bum bed and car from my sister! I was looking at Clifton beach/South Arm as a likely looking spot. What do people think of this location.

Happy to take recommendations for other spots, perhaps something with a bit more elevation might be advantageous too - and I found a nice clifftop parking spot along there that looks ideal (see A on map below).

And perhaps we could have an all night meetup! With appropriate warm foods and winter woolies, of course. If I sell some of my gear I might be able to hire a campervan for a few days too.

clifton beach sites.jpg

[ricktas]

Hi Odille. Anywhere with a south facing view. Just a warning about South Arm. There is not a police station right back to the suburbs of Hobart, (Rokeby) and the common thief knows this. South Arm is a place where cars at the many beaches often get broken into, so be aware. Take EVERYTHING out of your car and take it with you. A broken window is a nuisance, but stolen gear can be more devastating.

Places like Howden, Margate etc also offer good southern views. Even Mt Wellington, Or you can go up the east coast, some of the bays up that way offer a south facing view from the northern sides of the bays.

[Analog6]

The A spot looks as if I would be able to set up right beside the car/van. I'd hope to have a few hours of daylight to scout a bit after arrival.

[ricktas]

The A spot is at the top of a cliff. Good views, but if you wanted foreground rocks etc, they are about 75 metres straight down!

The B spot is private land, from what I have been able to ascertain from my visits down that way. I have not tried to seek permission to get to it, but you would need to find the landowner and ask.

[ScottM]

Definitely check the weather too before booking flights Odille. We've missed a good proportion of auroras through cloud cover.

Around Gordon and Verona Sands have pretty expansive southern exposure. About an hour drive south of Hobart. (Similar or slightly longer than South Arm.)

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?ll=-4....panoramio.all

I think Julien (can't remember his nickname on here) has taken some from near Conningham, 25-30 mins from Hobart.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?ll=-4....panoramio.all

Tinderbox is a bit closer again, and near Howden (that Rick mentioned):

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?ll=-4....panoramio.all

Auroras usually start anytime from 20:30 to 10:00 - so luck of the draw to a degree.

[Analog6]

Thanks for the links Scott, very helpful. I as worried about the aurora being hidden by Bruny Island for some of those spots, but you are right, some people have taken lovely shots of it from there.

I know it is very much hit and miss, but I'm sure not ever going to get a chance to photograph it from up here!

[ScottM]

No problem at all!

One aurora about a month ago was almost horizon to horizon, straight above, SSE to SSW. I doubt Bruny will be in the way from most of these spots I'd be more worried about points/cliffs being in the way

[ricktas]

Odille. Overnight the sun produced an M7.8 flare that continued for about an hour. There is no advice at this time if the flare has been directed towards Earth.

If you are on facebook, add yourself to this group, it is the Tassie Aurora watchers, and it keeps us informed of what is happening on the surface of the sun, right through to solar flares impacting earth. It could help you decide when to jump on the plane :

[Analog6]

Thanks Rick, I am already a member of that group. The big flare last night went out to the side, unfortunately, not at us. Wish that Sun would cooperate!

[glennb]

Thanks for this thread I didn't know Tassie gets Aurorae's

[Analog6]

Thanks for this thread I didn't know Tassie gets Aurorae's

Glenn, when they are big ones I have seen photos people have taken from Victoria, and you should be in a good spot at Geelong if you can get high up with dark skies. Are you on FB? And if so check out the group photos (link in Rick's post)

[glennb]

Glenn, when they are big ones I have seen photos people have taken from Victoria, and you should be in a good spot at Geelong if you can get high up with dark skies. Are you on FB? And if so check out the group photos (link in Rick's post)

Thanks analog, yep saw that link, joined up the other day. Doing a little homework and North Queensland could see Aurorae's back in 1859. Will be looking out for those big fares now :-P


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[glennb]

Anybody get any pics the other day of the aurora? I tried to get some down at torquay but too much cloud along the horizon. Notice some got a bit of the aurora from Vic and lots from tassie but they had the issue with bad weather too.


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[crum]

I got a couple of good ones from home on the 9th of this month, just gutted it had died off by the time I could head out. Was easily the most spectacular I've seen to date

[ricktas]

I got a couple of good ones from home on the 9th of this month, just gutted it had died off by the time I could head out. Was easily the most spectacular I've seen to date

Perhaps you can show us some?

[crum]

Obviously not the greatest composition as they were only test shots but the colours were brilliant. Unfortunately it fizzled out after this