Tom Parry
LOCH Sport is preparing to host a pair of stargazing events this weekend.
To be held over two successive nights, the Guided Star Tour invites participants to study the wonders of the night sky.
According to Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society (LVAS) president Chris Morley, Loch Sport is one of “about a dozen” dark sky locations identified in East Gippsland.
“Whilst it may not have truly dark skies like can be found in the desert and remote areas … the Loch Sport sky should, clouds permitting, afford the observers a fine view nonetheless – and one much better than would be found in Melbourne or any regional centre,” Mr Morley said.
Loch Sport is considered ideal for stargazing due to the lack of “light pollution” from traffic and streetlights, as is common in built-up areas.
But according to David Rolfe, vice-president of the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV), it doesn’t matter where you go in Gippsland to view the night sky.
“There’s nothing in Loch Sport in particular that makes it better than, say, Golden Beach or … Paradise Beach, but anywhere along that Ninety Mile Beach is actually a pretty good dark-sky site,” Mr Rolfe said.
The Loch Sport Star Gazing Tour is part of a series of stargazing events sponsored and promoted by Destination Gippsland to promote tourism across the region.
The events are jointly facilitated by three astronomical societies: the ASV, LVAS and Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS).
The first of these events was held in Buchan South in April, which Mr Morley and Mr Rolfe attended.
Both men considered the event a success, despite clouds coming in within 30 minutes of starting their observing session.
“After dinner, we adopted Plan B, which was an interactive presentation on what typically could be expected to be seen through a telescope in our night sky,” Mr Morley said.
“The 80 or so people gathered were quite upbeat about their observing session and the presentation that followed.”
The first Loch Sport Star Gazing Tour will be held on Friday, June 23 for local residents, with a second event taking place on Saturday, June 24 for “out-of-towners”.
The Saturday event will see participants consume a two-course meal at the Loch Sport Golf Club, head out onto the fairways for a brief presentation and telescope viewings of the night sky.
Live music and hot drinks will also be offered on the evening.
For more information and to book for the Saturday event, visit discoverlochsport.com.au/events
