AAQ Field Nights

Mt Kent Observatory

How To Get There

We will travel in convoy to the Mt Kent Observatory, an astronomical research facility operated by the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), departing from the car park next to Baker Street and the Western exit of the campus ring road, USQ Toowoomba at 4:00pm. The observatory is located about 30 minutes drive south of Toowoomba.

Directions to USQ: Travel West of Brisbane on the Ipswich Motorway, making sure you take the Warrego Highway to Toowoomba. At the top of the Toowoomba Range, turn left as if heading to Oakey (NOT to city centre). Shortly the road will turn to the right and become James Street which

goes East/West across town. Travel about 3.2km along James Street. Look out for a blue University sign. At West Street turn left via a slip lane. Travel for 4km where you will come to the University. Travel PAST the USQ entrance and turn sharp right into Baker Street. Turn into the second road entrance to your right - that's the Western entrance to the USQ ring road. Immediately at your right is the car park where we will rendezvous before the convoy drive to Mt Kent.

Click on the above image for a full map of the USQ Campus in Toowoomba

What to bring: Lots of warm clothes, you can expect it to be very cold. Your own telescope, camera, star charts etc. The site includes ample room to set up your own scope. There is outside mains power but a long extension lead and power board would be needed. Don't worry if you don't have your own telescope - there will be the opportunity to use other Association telescopes. You can make a hot drink or reheat/cook food in a microwave at Mt Kent. Note Mobile phones work at the observatory.

What to do: Please let Tony Dutton or Des Janke know if you are coming. This can be by either email or telephone (see the AAQ Newsletter). That way we can notify you if any issues arise. On the day if you want to check conditions or confirm a go-ahead, contact Des by 2:00pm on 0448834412. Further details will be provided at the AAQ meetings.

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Astronomical Association of Queensland 2008. www.aaq.org.au