Astronomy at Arkaroola
Waxing Crescent Moon over Arkaroola
Photo courtesy E&C Lenc
Arkaroola's Astronomical Observatories:
We are very fortunate indeed to have three fully equipped astronomical observatories, each located well above the Village area, to ensure your maximum night-skies viewing experience. In addition to conducting Advanced Ecotourism accredited Astronomy Tours, each of our observatories are available to professional and amateur astronomers, or to visiting astronomical societies and clubs. Please contact admin@arkaroola.com.au for further details.
Dodwell Observatory with Orion in Night Sky
Photo Courtesy E&C Lenc
Dodwell Observatory
Our original domed observatory, with adjacent briefing/store room, was built in 1986 and is fully equipped with a wide range of professional equipment - including a Celestron 14-inch (360mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain (SC) astronomical telescope.
The Dodwell Observatory is named in honour of George Frederick Dodwell (1879 - 1963), the Government Astronomer of South Australia from 1909 - 1952.
Sir Mark Oliphant Observatory
Sir Mark Oliphant Observatory
A 3.5 metre diameter fibreglass observatory dome (made by Sirius in Australia), is similarly equipped with a first-class computer-assisted 14-inch (360mm) Celestron SC telescope and other equipment; this observatory was constructed, and officially opened, in 2003.
Arkaroola was proud to name this observatory in honour of Sir Marcus [Mark] Laurence Elwin Oliphant (1901 - 2000), a famous South Australian Physicist, and Governor of South Australia from 1971 - 1976; Sir Mark was a long-time friend of the Sprigg Family.
Reginald Sprigg Observatory
Reginald Sprigg Observatory
Of roll-off-roof design, this observatory was also constructed in 2003, and was added for visitors and guests to use with either our equipment or 'BYO' equipment. Our three Star Chairs, and three 5-inch (125mm) Meade ETX-125, computer-controlled Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes, as well as spare piers and wedges for 'BYO' telescopes, are contained within this observatory.
This observatory is named in honour of Reginald Claude Sprigg (1919 - 1994), Geologist and founder of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
Our professional quality astronomical equipment includes:
- Two 360mm (14-inch) F-11 Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain computer assisted telescopes (One each at the Dodwell and Oliphant observatories);
- One 305mm (12-inch) Dobsonian Telescope (Sprigg Observatory) - used as a stand-alone unit and as the master controller for the Star Chairs;
- 100mm (4-inch) Solar Telescope, fitted with Hydrogen Alpha filters for day-time sun-spot and flare viewing;
- Three Star Chairs, each fitted with powerful 20x80 astronomical binoculars - computer or manually controlled (located at the Reginald Sprigg Observatory);
Star Chairs at Sprigg Observatory
- Spare piers with wedges for BYO telescopes - also in the Sprigg Observatory;
- Three Meade ETX-125, 5-inch (125mm) Maksutov-Cassegrain, computer-controlled astronomical telescopes ('Go-to' telescopes);
- 300 mm (12-inch) f-5 Dobsonian telescope - this will serve as both a master guiding telescope for the Star Chairs and also as a stand-alone astronomical telescope; and
- Astrophotography equipment, including CCD, camera T-rings, computer software, is also available for use at all three observatories.
Astronomical Seeing Conditions:
Arkaroola boasts some of the best astronomical seeing conditions in the Southern Hemisphere - our night skies are free of atmospheric and light pollution to provide you with a truly unforgettable experience (the nearest township of any size is Leigh Creek, 135 km to the west).
For those of you with a technical mind, the seeing conditions at Mt. Searle (only 47 km to the south-west) were measured in 1965 by the Australian National University (ANU) and reported as being a mean of 0.45 arc-seconds, with seeing better than 0.35 arc-seconds on 36% of nights. Our night skies are truly spectacular!
Come to Arkaroola and put a real sparkle into your astronomical viewing!
Photo of Orion Nebula taken at Arkaroola by Mark Wielgosz
Dark Skies Policy:
Arkaroola is South Australia's first wilderness sanctuary to adopt a Dark Skies Policy, thus ensuring our night skies remain unpolluted by local bright white light for years to come.
Need More Convincing?
The graph below has been copied from our climate stats page to give you an idea of our cloud-free days compared to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney. Visit that page to see details about temperature, humidty and other weather related information.
Arkaroola Star Chart and Sky Watch - January 2009:
Joe Grida of the Astronomical Society of South Australia (ASSA) kindly provides a monthly Star Chart and Information sheet, Sky Watch, especially designed for Arkaroola. The monthly Star Chart and Skywatch can be downloaded by clicking here (450KB).
If you'd like more information about Sky Watch, please contact Joe Grida at joe.grida@internode.on.net
