The Milky Way is a stunning tapestry of stars, nebulae, and cosmic dust that lights up the night sky. As the Milky Way season in the Southern Hemisphere is coming, more and more Australians want to go out and enjoy this astronomical wonder. If you are also planning to indulge in some stargazing, there are a few essentials you must pack.
One crucial item to include is a solar battery system, like the Jackery 300 Plus Portable Power Station. This portable battery pack ensures that all your equipment remains powered throughout your adventure so you can enjoy the scenic views.
Let’s discuss more about the best locations to enjoy the Milky Way and how a solar battery system can make all the difference in your adventure!
What is the Period of the Milky Way in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere?
You may think that the Milky Way appears at the same time in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. However, it’s not that simple. Here’s an overview of the periods of the Milky Way in these regions:
- Northern Hemisphere: In the Northern Hemisphere, the Milky Way season lasts from February to October. However, the best time to see the Milky Way is from April to September. For instance, in Southern Europe, part of the Northern Hemisphere, the ideal time of year to watch the Milky Way is from late March to late August.
- Southern Hemisphere: On the other hand, the best time to witness the Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere is anywhere from late February to late October, while the Milky Way season goes from late January to late November. Australia is the most popular place to see the Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere, and you can easily go to any popular location to experience its beauty from late February to late October.
How to Observe a Milky Way?
To make the most out of your Milky Way adventure, there are a few tips that you must follow to ensure a smooth experience. Some of these are:
Choose the Ideal Location Away from Artificial Light
First things first, you should start by choosing the ideal location that provides a better view and away from all artificial light sources. For instance, in the Southern Hemisphere, like in Australia, you should visit an area that’s -30° latitude.
Look at the southwest as the bands of the Milky Way start to appear in the Southwest sky. Make sure the location you’ve chosen for stargazing is far from the city lights, offering a dark and peaceful atmosphere.
Visit During a Moonless or Thin Crescent Night
It’s also essential to visit the Milky Way during a Moonless or thin crescent night. Why? Well, it’s because the bright light of the full moon may deter your ability to watch the Milky Way.
To get information about the moon, you can consult local weather services. In addition, you can educate yourself about the moon’s phases using apps such as the Luna Solaria or Moon Phase Plus and make an informed decision.
Let Your Eyes Adjust
Of course, you won’t be able to enjoy the beauty of the Milky Way if your eyes haven’t adjusted to the darkness. Therefore, you should let your eyes adjust fully to the darkness, and it usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
During this time, avoid looking at any bright lights, including your phone screen. Use red lights if you really have to see something, as it has minimal impact on your eyes.
Take a Star Chart with You
You should also carry a star chart with you to identify different stars, constellations, and the Milky Way itself. For this, you can either purchase a star chart from a nearby store or some museum. However, you can also try some apps that provide interactive star charts. Common names include Stellarium or SkyGuide.
Use Telescopes and Binoculars
While the Milky Way can be easily seen through the naked eye, using telescopes or binoculars can enhance the overall experience. Just make sure this equipment has a higher magnification or aperture to give you a view of even the minor details.
Don’t Forget to Grab Some Blankets
Stargazing often involves sitting or lying down for extensive periods, and you may feel cold when the temperature drops a little. That’s why it’s suggested to carry some blankets to stay warm and cozy while enjoying the celestial views.
Take the Wonderful Moments
You should also carry a solar battery system along with you to keep your devices and cameras charged. This ensures that you stay connected to the outer world and click some top-quality pictures of the Milky Way.
Here are some tips you can follow to get stunning Milky Way photos:
- Understand the Capabilities of Your Camera Gear: Before heading out, you must first understand the features of your camera, including the limits of your ISO, aperture, and exposure settings to capture clear, detailed images of the Milky Way.
- Consider Light Pollution and Scout for a Dark Area: You should ensure that there’s no light pollution from anywhere that may disrupt the quality of the photo.
- Use the Right Camera Settings: It’s the most important factor, as the correct camera settings greatly impact the clarity and detail of your Milky Way photographs. Therefore, you set up the camera to a high ISO (between 1600-3200), a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower), and a shutter speed of 20-30 seconds.
- Consider Foreground Elements for Better Composition: Clicking plenty of monotonous images of the Milky Way can be tedious. To avoid this, you should include interesting foreground elements such as trees, rocks, or mountains that make the pictures captivating and exciting.
The Best 5 Places to Enjoy the Beauty of the Milky Way in Australia
If you are all set to enjoy the beauty of the Milky Way, there are various locations in Australia that offer you the best view. Let’s discuss some:
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Red Centre, Northern Territory
The first location on our list is the Red Centre, Northern Territory, which is the heart of Australia. This place has plenty of unique elements, including Alice Springs, World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and the Kings Canyon region. If you want to experience the Milky Way, the clear skies of the Red Centre are the perfect spot for stargazing. Not only this, but its Aboriginal culture and breathtaking outback sunsets further elevate your overall stay in the Northern Territory.
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Mount Wellington, Tasmania
Second to none, Mount Wellington, Tasmania, is a famous mountain in the south-east of Tasmania, Australia. This mountain is directly behind Hobart and is 1,270 metres high[2]. It’s also known as Kunanyi and is the summit of the Wellington Range, ideal for looking at the beauty of the Milky Way galaxy. Some other activities that you can enjoy at Mount Wellington include cycling on the North-South Track, an 11km ride and snow fights during the colder months.
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Kooljaman Camp, Western Australia
The Kooljaman Wilderness Camp at Cape Leveque, Western Australia, is another fantastic place to witness the undeniable beauty of the Milky Way. This location is home to pure white sand and turquoise water. At night, you can lie down on the soft sand to have a clear view of the sky, stargaze and spend quality family time together.
The best part about this Kooljaman Camp, Western Australia, is that it’s run by the indigenous Bardi Jawi people, who invite tourists to get a glimpse into their unique culture. You can also indulge in snorkelling, swimming, and whale watching when the right season comes.
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Perth Observatory, Western Australia
Perth Observatory, Western Australia, also makes it easy for you to embark on your stargazing adventure, providing you with magnificent views of the Milky Way. Typically, Perth Observatory refers to two astronomical observatories in Western Australia (WA). These were founded in 1896 in West Perth on Mount Liza.
However, as the city expanded, this Observatory moved to Bickley. It has a fully retractable roof and clear skies that offer you once in a lifetime astronomical experience. You can also find plenty of historic telescopes at the Observatory, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of globular clusters, nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
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Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales
Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales, is also a renowned site where you can look at the Milky Way galaxy and capture memorable pictures. It’s said that this region was created millions of years ago by an extinct shield volcano. It’s a heritage-listed national park in the Orana region of New South Wales.
What truly makes this place stand out among the other options on the list is that it’s Australia’s first Dark Sky Park. There’s zero light pollution, and the sky is crystal clear, giving you a scenic view of the Milky Way. Besides, you get to participate in other activities like rock and cave walking as well as a picnic with your loved ones.
Benefits of a Solar Battery System for Viewing the Milky Way
Having a solar battery system on your Milky Way adventure offers you plenty of benefits. Let’s discuss some common ones:
- Reliable Power Supply: One of the most notable benefits of a solar battery system is that it provides you with a reliable power source. It keeps all your devices, such as cameras, telescopes, and mobile phones powered up. This ensures you can capture stunning photos and navigate the star chart apps on your phone without hassle.
- Eco-Friendly: Traditional generators rely on fossil fuels and release harmful gases that negatively impact the environment, especially the clean mountains and clear skies. Solar battery systems eliminate this worry! These power solutions utilise solar energy to power your devices, reducing carbon footprint and creating a greener environment.
- Convenience and Portability: Solar battery systems are also lightweight, which makes them portable. You can easily carry them to your camp, where you are going to stargaze and benefit from uninterrupted electricity so that you can charge multiple devices simultaneously.
Most importantly, solar battery systems or solar panels with battery storage are also cost-effective. Once you’ve made the upfront payment, they don’t require ongoing fuel costs and have little to no maintenance expenses.
Introduce Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is an incredible solar battery for house and stargazing adventure solutions. Let’s discuss it in detail:
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is a versatile and reliable power source for your outdoor adventures. With a capacity of 288Wh and an output of 300W, it can charge multiple devices at once because of its dual PD ports, which can achieve up to 100W output for fast charging. This makes it perfect for keeping all your gadgets powered up when you start your Milky Way observation.
Besides, another reason why the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is particularly well-suited for Milky Way observation outings is its lightweight design. Weighing only 3.75kg, this portable power station allows for easy transportation in a backpack. This high level of portability ensures that it can be effortlessly carried to remote, or off-grid locations favoured for stargazing, where minimal light pollution allows for clearer views of the Milky Way.
And Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is durable and reliable, featuring a high-quality LiFePO4 solar battery that not only extends the device’s lifespan up to 10 years but also ensures a constant voltage and pure sine wave output. This guarantees that electrical appliances are safely powered and operate efficiently. Furthermore, the addition of innovative ChargeShield technology enhances this power station by providing stable power output and protecting connected equipment from potential damage, making it an excellent choice for long-term use in various environments. So, you don’t have to be afraid of harsh observation positions to enjoy the beauty of the Milky Way.
Furthermore, this solar battery system’s compatibility with the Jackery SolarSaga 80W Solar Panel, which can fully recharge the unit in just 6.3 hours, is a standout feature for Milky Way observation trips. This solar charging capability ensures that observers can maintain their equipment powered throughout extended stargazing sessions, even in remote locations without access to conventional power sources. The ability to recharge efficiently during the day using solar energy not only makes it environmentally friendly but also supremely suitable for astronomy enthusiasts who need a reliable power supply throughout the night.
Conclusion
Taking a solar battery system on your stargazing adventure can make it more fun and smoother. Wondering where to get the best solar panel with battery storage? Jackery is the ultimate one-stop shop for solar battery systems! They have a wide variety of solar batteries for home and outdoors, including the Jackery 300 Plus Portable Power Station, which is lightweight, durable, and powerful enough to charge all your devices.
Contact them today and let Jackery power your next adventure under the stars!
