Day 4 Rally to the Rally

Day 4: 6th May: Coonabarabran to Moree


Today was great with a leisurely start as Noeline had organized for us to do a tour of Siding Springs Observatory (Optical telescope) just outside Coonabarabran then heading to Moree.

Had a little bit of trouble finding our way out of town but where soon on our way. The road up is to the observatory was spectacular although narrow and very steep in places.  We had somehow got in the lead and this was a definite advantage this morning. We did wonder how they had transported all the equipment up for the various telescopes and buildings.
Picturesque Warranbungle Ranges near Coonnabarabran
First sight of Siding Springs Observatory
We made it, Climb up was pretty impressive
Arriving at the observatory, we where greeted by Amanda, our guide for the morning. Amanda described herself as a knowledgeable amateur astronomer, confessing she had grown up in Newcastle and hadn’t seen stars until working in Northern Territory. Whilst she may have been self taught her delightful personality and knowledge of astronomy and the facility was amazing. She also had a very good rapport with the couple of professional Astronomers we came across on the tour.

Line up below the big telescope
Felix and Frosty, Maritta and Noeline's new hand warmer's
We spent some time looking at the 3.9M telescope, even being able to see the spectacular view from outside the dome, and then went up to take in the view from the trig point, the highest point for miles.

Australian Astronomical Observatory's (AAO) iconic Anglo Australian Telescope (AAT)

Another angle
View from the catwalk half way up the dome.
After some further explanation of the various domes and telescopes and then an excellent lunch we headed off. Our stop for the night was Moree.


Another view from catwalk

Alvis team at the trig point

Another view of the landscape

Telescopes everywhere, nearly all controlled remotely from all corners of the world

Guess who
Leaving Siding Springs
Down the road a bit
12/50 dwarfed by grain silos

Motel in Moree

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