SOUTHERN
CROSS SKY
Australian observatory beneath the Milky Way

NEW SOUTH WALES · 33.7° S

Look up.
The night is alive.

An independent field journal for clear skies, southern constellations and quiet observation.Tonight's outlook ↓

TONIGHT / BLUE MOUNTAINS

A patient sky rewards the prepared observer.

Cloud cover18%
VisibilityExcellent
MoonWaning
Temperature12°C
20:0022:0000:0002:0004:00

FIELD NOTE 07

Finding south without a compass.

Locate the four bright stars of the Southern Cross. Follow the long axis four and a half times, then drop an imaginary line to the horizon. That point is celestial south.

  1. 01Let your eyes adapt for twenty minutes.
  2. 02Use a dim red light near equipment.
  3. 03Check the horizon before setting up.

DARK-SKY INDEX

Three horizons worth the drive.

01

Capertee Valley

2h 40m from Sydney · Bortle 2
02

Warrumbungle

Australia's first Dark Sky Park
03

Blue Mountains

Clifftop horizons · Bortle 3