Crago Observatory in Bowen Mountain | Local service

Crago Observatory

Locality: Bowen Mountain

Phone: +61 413 047 782

Address: Lieutenant Bowen Drive 2753 Bowen Mountain, NSW, Australia

Website: www.asnsw.com/Crago

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25.01.2022 The RFS has advised people on Mount Bowen to evacuate. This photo courtesy of Laurie Fairweather and the Bowen Mountain Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/bowen.mountain

25.01.2022 We've got cloud starting to come over now. We'll wait a bit longer, but not looking promising.

24.01.2022 The observatory will be closed 1st of September for some much needed maintenance and repairs. We will open next on the 29th September.

23.01.2022 Hi all. Reminder that the observatory will be open tonight. Forecast is looking good for once!

23.01.2022 The observing session set down for 14th March has been cancelled due to maintenance issues and the abysmal weather forecast. Fingers crossed for next month.

20.01.2022 The Crago Observatory will remain closed this weekend. We've had some water damage from the recent storms. Nothing serious, but it does need some attention. Barring any further emergencies, we'll be open next month. Hope to see you then.

20.01.2022 Hi All, observatory is open. Observing will start about 7pm

20.01.2022 Hi Everyone. Just an update that the Crago Observatory remains closed to the public at this time. As using the telescopes requires people to put their face very close to shared surfaces, that are difficult to sanitize, the ASNSW has decided that sharing of telescopes will not be permitted at this time. With the small size of the observatory, we would only be able to accommodate a very small number of people inside anyway.... The ASNSW will continue to review the NSW public health orders and advice related to COVID-19 to determine how we can open safely and in compliance with health requirements. We look forward to the time that we share the wonders of the night sky with you all again.

19.01.2022 The observatory is covered in heavy cloud and there is forecast of thunderstorms. So we're going to cancel tonight's session. Let's hope for better weather next month.

19.01.2022 Cloudy in the mountains right now, but forecast is good! We'll be open from 6.30 with fingers crossed. See you there

19.01.2022 Its quite cloudy right now and looks to be hanging around. We will be open and will just see what happens with the sky.

18.01.2022 We are cancelling the scheduled Crago observing session for this weekend, due to the forecast weather conditions and the proximity large bush-fires. I wish you all a very happy New Year and let's hope the for a better start to 2020. Our thoughts are with all of the RFS volunteers who are working so hard to keep us safe.

17.01.2022 Hi all. Looks promising tonight. We will be open with viewing starting around 9pm.

16.01.2022 Hi All. I'll be travelling during the Crago observing this weekend, so this page probably won't be updated. The observatory will be open (weather permitting).

15.01.2022 Looks like a very promising night tonight. The observatory will be open from 5pm with observing starting around 6.30.

14.01.2022 A beautiful panorama of the Milky Way with Crago Observatory in the foreground. Many thanks to Drummo Blastardo for this image.

13.01.2022 I'm going to make an early call to cancel tonight due to the thick cloud and smoke haze. Our next session is on 21st December.

13.01.2022 We will be open from 5 pm tonight, with observing starting around 6. There's quite a few people coming, so if you want to avoid the queues, consider coming a little later in the evening. The observatory will be open until at least 11.

13.01.2022 These two wonderful images of Jupiter were taken through the observatory telescope by one of our members Richard, on Saturday night. In the first image you can see the shadow cast by Jupiter's moon Io on the Northern Equatorial Belt (the band on right side of image) The second image shows the Great Red Spot. This is a cyclone-like storm, about 1.5 times the diameter of the Earth, which has been raging for at least 190 years. It's an interesting time to observe the GRS as it appears to be starting to dissipate, with large amounts of material being pulled into the Southern Equatorial Belt (the band on the left side of the image).

12.01.2022 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sessions at Crago Observatory have been suspended for the immediate future, at least until the end of May. Sorry for any inconvenience.

11.01.2022 The observatory will be open from 6pm tonight.

10.01.2022 Tonight's viewing is cancelled due to weather. Hope to see you next month.

10.01.2022 Hi All. The observatory will be open tonight. Looks 50/50 in terms of cloud, but the forecast is for clearing later in the night. The observatory will be open from 5.30 with observing starting around 8pm.

10.01.2022 We're going cancel tonight's session due to the weather conditions. Hope to see you next month.

10.01.2022 The observatory will be open from around 5.30 tonight with observing starting from about 6.30. It could be a cold one, so please dress warmly. As we're expecting a large crowd, it might take some time before we can get you into the the observatory. Please bear with us and bring whatever you need to be comfortable while you wait. I'm not able to make it myself tonight, so I hope you all have a great night and clear skies.

09.01.2022 Afternoon everyone. The forecast for tonight is clear. The only issue at the moment is the wind, but I'm expecting it to die down later this afternoon. I'll post an update around 6pm to confirm, but chances look good.

09.01.2022 Glad you enjoyed your visit Hawkesbury Camera Club! https://www.facebook.com//a.48460638166/2116597108462785/

07.01.2022 A reminder that the Crago Observatory remains closed and this Saturday's open night is cancelled. The observing field next to the observatory is still in use by the RFS for fire-fighting operations. The observatory will remain closed until they no longer need the area and the Burralow fire-trail is re-opened to the public. Once again, thank you to all of the fire fighters for doing such an amazing job in impossible circumstances.

07.01.2022 Happy new year to you all! The next observing session is planned for this Saturday night (26th Jan). Check back after 4pm on Saturday for confirmation that we'll be open.

05.01.2022 The private function for ASNSW members set down for Saturday 16th November 2019 at Crago Observatory has been cancelled due to the fire risk. Members and registered participants have been notified by email.

04.01.2022 Due to the current bush fire situation, the Crago Observatory will remain CLOSED until further notice. The scheduled session for this evening is CANCELLED.

04.01.2022 This weekend's observing at Crago has been cancelled. With the large number of fires in the area, it is not worth the risk, and the site needs to kept clear for the RFS's use.

03.01.2022 Hi Everyone! It's looking good for tonight. The observatory will be open from 6.30pm with observing starting around 8.45pm. See you there.

03.01.2022 What a contrast to last Month! The observatory will be open from 5.30pm, with observing from 6.30. Hope to see you all there.

02.01.2022 I trust you are all enjoying Australia Day and finding some way to keep cool! It looks like we *might* be lucky and dodge the forecast clouds. The observatory will be open from 8pm with observing starting after 9pm.

02.01.2022 I've had a couple of questions about whether we're doing anything for the Mars Opposition this Friday. The short answer is no. The longer answer is that despite the media attention, Mars will not look any different on Friday compared to our public observing session the following week on Saturday 4th August. On the 4th, the Moon will rise much later allowing us to show many other night-sky objects in addition to the planets. Please come and join us on the 4th if you would like to see Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, other galaxies, nebulae, clusters and more.

01.01.2022 Hi all. The observatory will be open tonight, but it's currently fully clouded out. I'm expecting it to stay cloudy all night.

01.01.2022 The observatory will be open tonight. With viewing from around 6.30