Post by @robpike@cosocial.ca

2026-08-10 04:52 UTC

RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/117066509290131562 In 1986 I went to Australia with my big folding telescope to see Halley's Comet, which I'd been dreaming about since I was a kid. It turned out less exciting than other comets I had seen. But one night, camping in the middle of the continent, the sky was so dark there was no visible artificial light. The entire horizon was dark. The nearest building was 150km away. A weak, scratchy radio signal was playing Bach. I just lay back and marveled. The Sky! The Milky Way overhead! The LMC and SMC!

Replies (4)

@bluetea@ioc.exchange 2026-08-10 05:15

@robpike@cosocial.ca I had no idea how lucky I was until I saw "see the Milky Way" on someone's bucket list. I can see it on any clear night.

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@darryl_ramm@hachyderm.io 2026-08-10 05:29

@robpike@cosocial.ca I spent a lot time camping in Australia growing up there. Out in the Western Australia goldfields, near Southern Cross, or across the Northern territory and Pilbra. The backbone of the Milky Way is just absolutely spectacular. Surprising how far away you could see "town glow".

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@connynasch@mastodon.social 2026-08-10 06:57

@robpike@cosocial.ca That was me in Malawi in the 1980s. It was totally fabulous 🤩 🌟

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@naturistavacado@mastodon.social 2026-08-10 07:26

@robpike@cosocial.ca Back in 2013 I ran the Iditarod trail fromAnchorage to Nome . I came out of the Dalziel gorge,a wolf was on the river ice looking at me .I followed its trail up the river . The packs on either side of the river were howling .The northern lights came out ,I made my bivi lay back to watch the show listening to Comfortably Numb pink Floyd and also marveled.

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