Alright, this is for sharing of your observation experience. Or, if you are arranging gatherings, star-gazing expeditions or just want some company to go observing together, you can shout it out here.
For those staying in the west, especially Jurong East, Bt Batok, Choa Chu Kang, Bt Panjang, you may want to check out this observation site along the huge canal between Bt Batok & Choa Chu Kang. The canal can be accessed from the T-junction of Bukit Batok Road and Bt Batok West Ave 2. The nearby bus-stop along Bt Batok Rd serves bus no. 160 & 180. Another bus-stop along Bt Batok West Ave 2 serves 187, 188, 947 & 985. The nearest open surface carpark is besides the HDB Block 426.
The canal has concrete footpath on each side and dense vegetation (army training ground) beyond that. The footpaths are frequently used by joggers and cyclists in the early mornings and late afternoons. During the day, it is quite a scenic area good for birding, with natural landscape on both sides and the sound of falling water. At night it is dark and deserted and therefore quite good for stargazing. By walking in about 50 metres from the Bt Batok Rd/Bt Batok West Ave 2 junction, almost all the streetlights are shielded off by some trees, and there are no other lights visible. The night sky is only blocked about 10 to 20 degrees off the horizon all around. Scopes can be set up either on the concrete surface or the cowgrass turfing.
[80% Steve, 20% Alfred] ------- Probability of Clear Skies = (Age of newest equipment in days) / [(Number of observers) * (Total Aperture of all telescopes present in mm)]
Inevitably yes, they can be a minor nuisance, so bring some insect repellant. Can't have the best of everything, can we? At least for me, this place is only a ten-minute walk away from my home.
