GROVE CREEK OBSERVATORY
Trunkey Creek, NSW, Australia
ASA Australian Standards Designated
Optical Observatory: DO3 - 14
International
Astronomical Union Minor Planet Centre Observatory: E16
Latitude 33°49'46.8''
South. Longitude 149°21'59.7'' East.
Altitude: 959m (Geometric)
935m (sea level)
Time Zone:+11 UT (AEDT - Daylight Savings now in effect)
INTRODUCTION:
The Grove Creek Observatory is an professional research facility, run as a non-profit organisation. Grove Creek has a collection of remote controlled internet telescopes and CCD imaging systems, allowing research scientists, Universities, amateur astronomers and the general public to take live images through our telescopes over the internet, downloaded from one of the best night sky locations in the southern hemisphere. Our goal is share the wonders of the southern skies to the world-wide community. The facility is very remote and well away from any city lights, located 255kms by road (170kms direct), due west of Sydney, in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The nearest city is Bathurst, located 59kms North/East and we are 4kms west of the tiny village of Trunkey Creek (pop. 60 and hidden in a deep valley below the observatory), at an altitude of 935 metres above sea level, with an amazing limiting visual magnitude of 7.37.
Grove Creek comprises of three separate observatories, the Main Dome (with full accommodation facilities at rear) and 2 remote internet controlled sliding-roof observatories, one being our Middle Observatory and the other being the Western Observatory.
Area Map
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** WARNING - NO GENERAL PUBLIC ENTRY TO THE FACILITY PERMITTED **
As we need to provide our GPS coordinates for astronomical
purposes on this web site, please
under no circumstances attempt entry to the property without prior
arrangement. |
HISTORY:
Founder: Jim F. Lynch
The Grove Creek Observatory was established in 1985 primarily for conducting public tours of the arrival of Comet Halley. The extensive sheep and grazing property surrounding the site where the observatory now stands, was then owned by the Lynch family. Jim Lynch the eldest son, (pictured above) already had a small private domed observatory located 2 kms south of the current facility, housing a 12.5" Dall-Kirkham designed telescope that he had been using since 1975. Jim and his two younger brothers, Tom and Mark Lynch decided that the current observatory was too small and had difficult access, to provide tours for the soon to arrive Halley's comet and decided to build a new facility, 100 metres off Grove Creek Road, on the highest hill of the property.
Above, Eastern view (left) and Southern view
(right), from the Observatory.
The 10ft dome and C-14 telescope were purchased from Mr. Lionel Larson and shipped to "The Grove" from Bilpin, NSW. As the hundreds of bookings for Halleys Comet poured in, it soon became clear that one telescope was not going to be insufficient, so another sliding roof type observatory was built 20 meters west of the main domed building and Jim's 12.5" Dall-Kirkham telescope (now modified to a f/4 Newtonian and moved to Coffs Harbour) was moved from his old observatory, installed on the main central pier and the original observatory abandoned. At the peak of operation of the Grove Creek Observatory, there were also two de-mountable buildings, serving refreshments and thousands of people saw the comet during the 1985/86 visit.
Previous tour visitors had often commented on the beautiful views of the property, named "The Grove", with which the Observatory is located on its highest elevation. Staggering views across the famous Australian Blue Mountains can be seen.
A stunning double rainbow taken from the
visitor's room window and sunrise over the mountains...
After
this time, the future of the facility was unclear. In February 1987 an
astronomer from Sydney, Steven Williams
(pictured left) was asked to improve the electronics of the C14 and to hold a tour.
Funny enough, the tour consisted of a group of low-security prison inmates, who
were on a field trip! Steven was invited to conduct tours
of the facility on a commercial basis, however, Grove Creek really only
consisted of the current "control room" seating up to 40 people (at a tight
squeeze) the main dome and two outside toilets. At that time, there was no
on-site accommodation facilities available and it became problematic for Steven
to continue to run tours. Steven decided to depart Grove Creek in 1989 to work
full-time at the John Tebbutts Observatory in Windsor, NSW and also at the
Yullara Observatory at Uluru (Ayres Rock) in Central Australia. He also went
overseas to the United States and England, to complete his astronomical studies.
It was during this time, that the Lynch family left "The Grove" property and soon after (sadly) the patron of the family, Jim Lynch Snr, passed away. In 1995 Jim Lynch (Jnr) decided to extend the main domed observatory south and eastward to include a full accommodation area, consisting of a large comfortable lounge and kitchen area, laundry, bathroom and two bedrooms.
The extensions were built by both Jim and Alan Jones. It was then decided to make the facility a non-profit organisation, where all monies received from tours would go towards maintaining the facility and for conducting astronomical research. Steven Williams was asked to come back to the facility to assist with tours as a volunteer.
Entrance via the main control room, is our comfortable accommodation facility. This provides a retreat for staff and visiting astronomers, to maintain our remote telescope projects. We have a lounge area with digital TV, entertainment system, gas heating, dining table seating up to 6 people, kitchenette and bathroom with flush toilet and a hot full pressure shower. No "roughing it" at Grove Creek! The kitchen area has a fridge/freezer, two microwave ovens, fan forced convection oven, filter & espresso coffee machines and a small gas oven with two hot plates and griller. All cooking utensils are available. Pure, filtered mountain rainwater is on tap from our huge storage tank. Visiting astronomers will need to bring their sheets (due to water availability), food, drinks and personal toiletries. Power converters are available for USA 110VAC appliances, such as hair dryers, shavers, laptop computers, etc, for our overseas guests.
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The new accommodation area was completed in 1996 and it was a pleasant "omen" that this second phase of operations of the Grove Creek Observatory also started under another comet, Comet Hhyakataki, which was about five times brighter than Halleys. Tom Polakis from the USA was the very first paid visitor to stay at new accommodation facility on March the 21st, during that year. You will find some of Tom's astrophotographs on this web site. Jim Lynch then moved to Coffs Harbour in NSW in 2001 and now Steven Williams operates the facility. In 2003 the final remaining grazing area surrounding the observatory was sold off and the 1ha (4acres) observatory property was retained and fenced off, with a security gate and alarm system to deter people who may drive up and ruin any images, with the use of car headlights. Mr. Geoff Gilbert and his family, who purchased much of "The Grove", now lives 100 metres north of the facility, who often assists us with computer and telescope resets as well as providing us security.
Hundreds of people visited and stayed at Grove Creek from 1995 to 2007. Astronomical pictures taken by these visitors have been published in many international astronomical magazines and astronomy books and the facility has often been used by the Australian and International media for live coverage of astronomical events. Grove Creek is listed in a popular book, "101 things to do before you die" and was a unique eco-tourist destination for people from all over the world. A huge influx of tours came during the closest approach to Mars in July 2003 after the "Sydney Weekender" program aired a special TV presentation about Grove Creek.
THE WESTERN OBSERVATORY:
Fully computerised sliding roof type observatory,
measuring 5.6m x 4.6m (217cm clearance floor to ceiling)
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Andrew Mattingly |
Greg Ford |
Grove Creek continued to add further telescopes and in 2004, the original sliding-roof western observatory roof was motorised. Andrew Mattingly joined Grove Creek during this time and designed a internet remote CCD imaging telescope system with Wheaton College in Boston, MA, USA, named the "Wheaton Telescope". Greg Ford joined Grove Creek after this time and with Andrew, went on to developed remote internet radio telescope projects at the facility. Greg also assists with maintaining Grove Creek with Steven. Click for further information.
THE MIDDLE OBSERVATORY:
Fully computerised sliding roof type observatory, measuring
7.08m long x 4.65m wide x 2.4m high (229cm
clearance floor - ceiling)
In December 2007, the "
Middle Observatory" was completed and motorised. It has more advanced sensors and relay control systems, than the Western Observatory, including battery backup roof motors, in case of mains power failure for full remote internet use. Click for further information.
Shutters, Western and
Middle Observatory motors by:
Brett Soames - Kelso, NSW
WHY WE CEASED PUBLIC TOURS:
In May 2007 it became clear that Grove Creek Observatory would be better utilised as a fully remote controlled internet research facility and it was decided to close to the general public altogether. When Grove Creek was first built, we were the only public observatory running public viewing tours under very dark skies. Our initial objective was always to bring the universe to the general public and visiting astronomers, to share the wonders of the southern skies and this still remains our primary goal. Steven's decline in mobility was also a major factor in this decision, as it was becoming very difficult for him to keep up with the physical demands of running public tours.
However, the positive side of closing to the general public now enables Grove Creek to provide 100% of telescope time to remote internet telescope projects, where the general public, students, amateur and professional astronomers from all over the world can use the facility remotely, with no need to attend the facility personally. This now allows greater access to Grove Creek than tours ever did!
WEATHER & SKY CONDITIONS AT GROVE CREEK:
Grove Creek is considered one of the best observing locations in Australia. No matter what the size of any given telescope, a dark sky is essential for visual observations. The facility is situated on the highest point of a sheep and cattle grazing property, well away from any light pollution with a 360° view of the night sky. The nearest village, Trunkey Creek, is located 4kms south/west from the observatory and hidden within a deep valley. With a population of only 60 people and protected street lighting, no lights can be seen from the village. That makes Grove Creek Observatory one of the best dark sky locations available and therefore considered the premier site for seeing faint interesting objects and taking CCD images of the southern night sky.
On a yearly average, Grove Creek looses only 1 night in 4 to total cloud cover (compared to Siding Spring, the largest observatory in Australia, which losses 1 night in 3). Some months are better than others - December and January should be avoided, if possible, as the nights are very short and electrical and rain storms after sunset are common. August is known for higher winds. High winds can restrict viewing, CCD imaging and astrophotography due to vibration and risk of optical damage to the telescopes. For astrophotography and CCD imaging, a wind speed less than 16kms/hour (9 knots) is desirable. Our remote Observatories roofs close at >24kms/h (13 knots) wind gust.
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We have been in severe drought since we started taking weather readings in July 2004 via our live Weather Station. The average annual rainfall for Trunkey Creek is only 850mm - bad enough but from 2005-2010, the annual average rainfall has fallen to only 478mm, good for the Observatory but bad news for local farmers. The driest year was 2006 with only 334mm and the wettest year was 2007 with 574mm. There is no conclusive data for what are the driest and wettest months at Grove Creek as yet, with our 6 year weather station history records.
For invited visiting astronomers and staff, ensure you bring adequate alpine winter clothing for night time viewing, during April to October. Despite popular belief, it does snow in Australia but at our altitude of 935 metres (3,067 ft), we usually only have about 6 days of snow per year. Since we have been keeping records, the lowest recorded temperature was -3.3C (38F) on the 17th of July, 2007 and the highest was 44.8C (113F) on the 7th of February, 2009 - the day of the terrible "Black Saturday" bush fires that destroyed hundreds of homes in Victoria and the hottest day recorded since 1912. However, these are very rare extremes. The monthly average temperature in January is 15.5C (60F) to 30.6C (88F) and in July, 0.6C (33F) to 7.1C (45F). Please see our
Online Weather Station for more details. Both the control room and our accommodation areas are well insulated, have gas heating and the visitor's quarters bedding are "alpine" rated.
Greg Ford enjoying one of the amazing sunsets at the Observatory
The facility is situated on the western side of the Great Dividing Range which helps protect the area against turbulent air, thus making the "seeing conditions" excellent. The ground level pressure at our altitude helps also. From 1988 onwards, very faint light from Sydney (which is 170kms exactly due east) was starting to become visible and now extends to about 6° in the eastern sky as well as very faint lights showing from Bathurst, 49kms to our north-east, which is of little concern. Bathurst Shire Council have put in place new regulations to stop this increased pollution, which badly effect 3 other observatory sites closer to Bathurst. Grove Creek currently remains unaffected.
As you can see by the below long exposure photograph taken in 2000, the light pollution from Sydney was actually dimmer than the brightness of the Zodiac Light (as of 2009, it is now about the same brightness). The Zodiac Light are particles left over from the formation of the solar system, being reflected by the sun and are often very difficult to capture. The below astrophotograph was taken low in the east, to prove the point. For the more technically minded, the visual limiting magnitude at Grove Creek is an amazing 7.37. This has been independently measured from the star SA0 231240 - located in the constellation of Grus. The background sky (with no moon) measures at 23 magnitude. The total yearly average seeing is 1.38^secs but during March-June and September-November, this can improve to approx. 0.98^secs. Obtrusive outside lighting within a 6km radius of the observatory is now restricted by council regulations, which can carry fines. We are very grateful to the residents of Trunkey Creek Village and the majority of the property owners in the area, that appreciate the importance of the Observatory and keep all outside lights off at night.
1 minute astrophotograph showing the Eastern Zodiacal light
in comparison to the
faint light
pollution from Sydney (about 10° above
horizon, where the wall limit in the
east of the remote observatories are
25° - so it couldn't effect
the telescopes anyway!
