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AUSTRALIAN TELESCOPE OBSERVING
POPULATION
LIGHT POLLUTION
OBJECTS
AIR POLLUTION
WEATHER CONDITIONS

POPULATION AND LIGHT POLLUTION

• the nature of Australia's sparsly populated, wide areas gives credence to the fact a telescope owner can get away from the majority of city lights (light pollution) very easily which influences how much can be seen through a telescope and in what detail. Telescopes can still be used from the backyard like anywhere in the world, but when you think about how bright the stars are just outside the city, it is well worth the trip every now and then to capture some of it, time permitting (the universe is a big place!). In some parts of the world, the night sky is disappearing due to the light and smog pollution.
  
  

  WEATHER CONDITIONS

• the air is dry which gives steady and clear viewing conditions.
  
  
• there are more chances to view owing to a high amount of cloud free days.
  
  

  OBJECTS

• the southern hemisphere has a better variety and an aboundance of sky objects. This includes two dwarf galaxies from which one had the first recorded Super-Nova of modern times. This was found in 1987, hence it name Super-Nova 1987a.
  
  
• More new objects are being discovered by backyard telescopes than all of the major world telescopes. South Australia has one of the best comet hunters in the world through Bill Bradfield.
  
  

  AIR POLLUTION

• Continuing with Australian conditions, it is also worth mentioning air pollution (smog) also affects the ability of viewing the night sky. Australia has relatively low smog pollution.
  
  

  WEATHER CONDITIONS

• Finally on conditions, South Australia's dry, still weather makes it advantageous for preserving a telescope's mirror reflectivity for longer (less maintenance).