cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

Being an amateur astronomer, I've always wanted to see the Southern
night sky, which of course means travelling South of the Equator. It
doesn't have to be very far South, though - just a few degrees would be
OK.

So, can anyone suggest the cheapest flight destination that would get
me South of the Equator? I'm able to travel at any time of the year.

Many thanks in advance.

Dave

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

On 11 Oct 2006 05:04:09 -0700, "dave" wrote:

Being an amateur astronomer, I've always wanted to see the Southern
night sky, which of course means travelling South of the Equator. It
doesn't have to be very far South, though - just a few degrees would be
OK.

So, can anyone suggest the cheapest flight destination that would get
me South of the Equator? I'm able to travel at any time of the year.

The nearest point south of the equator wouldn't necessarily be the
cheapest to get to. You should look for the most popular destinations
in the southern hemisphere that people travel to from the UK.

You didn't say how long you're planning on staying, but take into
account the living costs in whatever country you plan to visit. South
Africa is still quite good value for money, and you should be able to
get a flight from London to Johannesburg for around £400.

Chris

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

On Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:52:22 +0800, Chris Blunt wrote:

On 11 Oct 2006 05:04:09 -0700, "dave" wrote:

Being an amateur astronomer, I've always wanted to see the Southern
night sky, which of course means travelling South of the Equator. It
doesn't have to be very far South, though - just a few degrees would be
OK.

So, can anyone suggest the cheapest flight destination that would get
me South of the Equator? I'm able to travel at any time of the year.

The nearest point south of the equator wouldn't necessarily be the
cheapest to get to. You should look for the most popular destinations
in the southern hemisphere that people travel to from the UK.

You didn't say how long you're planning on staying, but take into
account the living costs in whatever country you plan to visit. South
Africa is still quite good value for money, and you should be able to
get a flight from London to Johannesburg for around £400.

Chris

I agree entirely with Chris's evaluation. See
http://flights.trailfinders.com/Economy/Johannesburg
Other options for you might be Singapore or Kenya (package holiday).
Regards
Gerry

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

In article , Gerald Oliver
Swift writes
On Wed, 11 Oct 2006 20:52:22 +0800, Chris Blunt wrote:

On 11 Oct 2006 05:04:09 -0700, "dave" wrote:

Being an amateur astronomer, I've always wanted to see the Southern
night sky, which of course means travelling South of the Equator. It
doesn't have to be very far South, though - just a few degrees would be
OK.

So, can anyone suggest the cheapest flight destination that would get
me South of the Equator? I'm able to travel at any time of the year.

The nearest point south of the equator wouldn't necessarily be the
cheapest to get to. You should look for the most popular destinations
in the southern hemisphere that people travel to from the UK.

You didn't say how long you're planning on staying, but take into
account the living costs in whatever country you plan to visit. South
Africa is still quite good value for money, and you should be able to
get a flight from London to Johannesburg for around £400.

Chris

I agree entirely with Chris's evaluation. See
http://flights.trailfinders.com/Economy/Johannesburg
Other options for you might be Singapore or Kenya (package holiday).

Ahem Singapore is ABOVE the Equator :-) so is half of Kenya.

But yes, the nearest point on the Equator is not the cheapest to get to.

The cheapest one really would be Tanzania on a package holiday or a
flight to Jo'burg. I have just come from Jo'burg and there is no light
pollution even when you look at the sky from inside the city itself.

--
JohnM

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

I agree with most of what people have already said HOWEVER, bear in
mind that many of the areas just south of the equator are unsuitable
for astronomers due to heavy cloud cover. This is particularly
problematic in the tropics. Tanzania could be a problem, particularly
on the coast. Inland would be better.

South Africa is an excellent choice. Johannesburg is a good place to
base yourself, and the crisp, clear winter months virtually guarantee
cloudless nights every night. Johannesburg is almost 2000m above sea
level which is another advantage. Getting away from the light of the
city is relatively easy, and a short trip to the Pilanesberg will
offer great views.

Of course, Sutherland in the Cape Province is the site of the large
telescopes of SALT (South African Large Telescope) because of it's
clear skies, and isolation.

Marc

On 11 Oct 2006 05:04:09 -0700, "dave" wrote:

Being an amateur astronomer, I've always wanted to see the Southern
night sky, which of course means travelling South of the Equator. It
doesn't have to be very far South, though - just a few degrees would be
OK.

So, can anyone suggest the cheapest flight destination that would get
me South of the Equator? I'm able to travel at any time of the year.

Many thanks in advance.

Dave

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

dave wrote:
Being an amateur astronomer, I've always wanted to see the Southern
night sky, which of course means travelling South of the Equator. It
doesn't have to be very far South, though - just a few degrees would be
OK.

So, can anyone suggest the cheapest flight destination that would get
me South of the Equator? I'm able to travel at any time of the year.


Good thought on the posts about light pollution, so I am uncertain
where to suggest to avoid that.

You might look at Garuda airlines to Indonesia for cheap fares. They
are a very peculiar airline but apparently reasonably safe.

If you decide to go to Bali, let me know, as I have a good friend who
is a professional diver/guide and can take you to remote parts of the
island for night viewing. Or just see www.balifriend.net. Putu
specializes in tailoring trips for customers to see what they want to
see and is a fine photographer also (e.g., no shopping stops unless you
want to shop).

Larry in Berkeley, California (B.A. Astronomy)

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

This is a travel. Africa website. What gives with you jokers seeking
informations on the Southern skys out of UK.

cheapest way to see the Southern sky from UK?
 

If you'd bothered to read the OP, you'd have seen that the poster
asked about the cheapest way to get to the southern hemisphere from
the UK. Much of Africa is in the southern hemisphere.

All the subsequent posts relate to different opinions about which
African destinations would be best suited to the poster's
requirements.

Ah, I see now. I should have looked at your e-mail address before
posting. That explains it all.

On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:40:45 -0700,
(GoldenMan54) wrote:

This is a travel. Africa website. What gives with you jokers seeking
informations on the Southern skys out of UK.