Mersing trip on 17 Sept 2004

MCYM · Post by **MCYM** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:36 am

Hi

Last weekend we headed out to Mersing for our monthly imaging trip. This 2-nights trip has been rewarding as the skies turn out relatively clear despite forecast of thunderstorm.

But this time, the usual observation site is inaccessible to our vehicles due to soft sand and mud at the entry point. It has been in this state since last month when the road works seemly suspended. Instead, we grudgingly settled on a compromised site 500m away that is partially block by trees .

While we are there, we had a chance to test out some new gears and manage a few shots.
Here are the catch that i would like to share.

Milky way near the west horizon.
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~audiowo ... 18-RGB.jpg

Barnard's loop of Orion.
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~audiowo ... 18-RGB.jpg

And a retake of Pleiades and M42 thru high clouds, this time using a completely different setup from the last.
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~audiowo ... 18-RGB.jpg
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~audiowo ... 18-RGB.jpg

Hoping to get more images in the coming months.

Cheers

Matthew

kochu · Post by **kochu** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 1:02 pm

Hi Matthew,

Great photos as usual.

Few more info on Mersing.

Road from Tanjong Resang to the site is more or less fully tarred .
There are many street lights now. The horizon also is more bright.
I think some barracks are being built.
It may be a matter of time before Mersing looses its position as the prime observation spot.

Kochu

Post by **rcj** » Wed Sep 22, 2004 1:33 pm

Nice pictures Matthew! Wished I could make it up with you then, alas to a busy schedule. Yes it is a big pity for Mersing. I realised that the sky condition there has worsened a lot faster than expected ever since four years ago, where it still had it's "wow" factor. Don't think I will plan to go back there again, when Batu Layar is almost comparable, yet so much nearer to Singapore. The tar roads would have been a great convenience for drivers, but I geuss it is also a matter of time, when they decide to go ahead and turn the area into a resort destination for travellers. Fingers crossed, hoping that there will not be anymore additional lamp posts installation. Ever since the last Mersing trip, we did not stargaze at the usual spot anymore, since the road has been raised with bitumen and inaccessible to normal vehicles (unless you have a 4WD or monster truck). Together with Mr Au, we receed a new place about 300m ahead (towards north), that proved to be completely unobstructed. That would probably be the alternative location from now on. Will be planning to go up Batu Layar next moon if the weather is fine.

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:55 am

Hi Matt,
As usual, great images.
You even managed to catch the Horsehead as well! Wonder if you can enlarge that portion and see if the details can be seen? Is that the Flame Nebula to the horsehead's left? I've never really appreciated its position with respect to the Horse...until now..

BTW, what is that reddish band near the bottom of the image?
I also noticed for the other images, the background is not as dark as it should be. Is that the result of the mersing "sky glow"? If it is, that means bad news for our premiere obs site! You mention the "new" site is 500m further. Is that towards the direction of the "chalets"?

cheers!
rich

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:01 am

kochu wrote:Hi Matthew,

Great photos as usual.

Few more info on Mersing.

Road from Tanjong Resang to the site is more or less fully tarred .
There are many street lights now. The horizon also is more bright.
I think some barracks are being built.
It may be a matter of time before Mersing looses its position as the prime observation spot.

Kochu

Thanks for the update, Kochu. A tarred road means good news for cars going there but also means light wil follow...I wonder how long more we still have of Mersing...did you managed to take a picture of the existing spot as I have problem visualising what is the problem.... Is there no way to drive onto the site via an alternative entrance, perhaps closer to the Dutch's hut?

rich

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:05 am

rcj wrote:Don't think I will plan to go back there again, when Batu Layar is almost comparable, yet so much nearer to Singapore. The tar roads would have been a great convenience for drivers, but I geuss it is also a matter of time, when they decide to go ahead and turn the area into a resort destination for travellers. Together with Mr Au, we receed a new place about 300m ahead (towards north), that proved to be completely unobstructed. That would probably be the alternative location from now on. Will be planning to go up Batu Layar next moon if the weather is fine.

HI Remus
I'm intrigued. Where is this Batu Layar? Is it anywhere near Mersing, on the way or far from it? Is it accessible by car or have to go by sea? Any map or picture of the site to show?

rich

Post by **weixing** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 1:28 am

Hi,
Take a boat at changi and change to a taxis after the custom which will drive you there and bring you back on the next morning. I go there once and the sky is quite good there. Will follow remus next month if free.

Have a nice day.

Post by **Airconvent** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 2:03 am

weixing wrote:Hi,
Take a boat at changi and change to a taxis after the custom which will drive you there and bring you back on the next morning. I go there once and the sky is quite good there. Will follow remus next month if free.

Have a nice day.

oh...so its THAT place.....

if have to take a boat, then really not so convenient....sigh....

MCYM · Post by **MCYM** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:23 am

Airconvent wrote:
weixing wrote:Hi,
Take a boat at changi and change to a taxis after the custom which will drive you there and bring you back on the next morning. I go there once and the sky is quite good there. Will follow remus next month if free.

Have a nice day.
oh...so its THAT place.....
if have to take a boat, then really not so convenient....sigh....

Hi Rich
It is drivable. Perhaps a 100km road distance from Causeway.
Alternatively, there is also a ferrying service for vehicles at Changi Ferry Terminal.

MCYM · Post by **MCYM** » Thu Sep 23, 2004 9:26 am

Hi Rich

Yes, the flametree nebula is left to the horsehead. The reddish curve or what is commonly known as Barnard's loop is best explained by this site.
http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/ngc/b-loop.html

The background glow is apparent in all long exposure images... it is really up to the author who adjust the level to his/her liking hence it should not be taken as an yardstick for comparing skyglow. However you are right indeed to say there was increased skyglow on those nights. Perhaps attributed to the light haze or high clouds.

The site we went is about 500m "Before" the traditional one. I believe that is the same site visited by Arief, Weixing, Elton and JohnTeh 2 months ago. it has a narrow tarmac road leading all the way in to the beach.

Matt

SingAstro

Mersing trip on 17 Sept 2004

Mersing trip on 17 Sept 2004

Mersing Photos

Re: Mersing Photos