| Information for amateur astronomers |
Observing Conditions
Generally, the limiting magnitude at the zenith ranges from 6.0 to 6.5 and there is no serious light
pollution. However, during the soccer season (March to October), the nearby soccer field will turn on
their lights twice or three times a week and the southeastern sky become less than perfect. As
these lights will be turned off by 10.30 pm at the latest, all-night observing will not be affected.
Ballandean Village is situated at the highlands 700 to 1000 metres above sea level and 170 km
inland. As a result, humidity is much lower and the number of observable nights is greater than the
coastal areas. On clear mid-winter nights the temperature falls very quickly overnight (down to -7 or
-8 degrees) and this may cause condensation on mirrors or lenses. Under these conditions, you
may need a special heating device or hair dryer to continue observing overnight.
Generally, the limiting magnitude at the zenith ranges from 6.0 to 6.5 and there is no serious light
pollution. However, during the soccer season (March to October), the nearby soccer field will turn on
their lights twice or three times a week and the southeastern sky become less than perfect. As
these lights will be turned off by 10.30 pm at the latest, all-night observing will not be affected.
Ballandean Village is situated at the highlands 700 to 1000 metres above sea level and 170 km
inland. As a result, humidity is much lower and the number of observable nights is greater than the
coastal areas. On clear mid-winter nights the temperature falls very quickly overnight (down to -7 or
-8 degrees) and this may cause condensation on mirrors or lenses. Under these conditions, you
may need a special heating device or hair dryer to continue observing overnight.
| Our 46cm (18-inch) telescope in the dome used for the night sky tour |
| Unique Stanthorpe accommodation TWINSTAR GUESTHOUSE & OBSERVATORY B&B with an astronomical observatory |
Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory is bed and breakfast accommodation with an in-house
observatory. We introduce our guests to the beautiful night sky from our observatory (night sky tour)
on every clear night. The night sky tour is geared towards guests who have never looked through a
large telescope or those with limited observing experience.
Our location, however, are suited to amateur astronomers, too, who want to enjoy observing under
dark rural skies. The 18-inch (46cm) telescope is used for the night sky tour and not available for
guest use, but a 10-inch Dobsonian telescope as well as 10cm binoculars are available
free of charge for personal observing.
observatory. We introduce our guests to the beautiful night sky from our observatory (night sky tour)
on every clear night. The night sky tour is geared towards guests who have never looked through a
large telescope or those with limited observing experience.
Our location, however, are suited to amateur astronomers, too, who want to enjoy observing under
dark rural skies. The 18-inch (46cm) telescope is used for the night sky tour and not available for
guest use, but a 10-inch Dobsonian telescope as well as 10cm binoculars are available
free of charge for personal observing.
| A view from the observing site at Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory |
| Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory 28146 New England Highway, Ballandean, Queensland 4382, Australia Email: twin-star@bigpond.com Phone: 07 4684 1135 |
