Yes, you "should" be able to view Andromeda from suburban Melbourne. I can recall old posts by people in Melbourne observing Andromeda. From my experience, the overall light and atmospheric pollution will be the limiting factors.
As a visitor to Melbourne, I have seen Andromeda through binoculars from Coburb. Of course, looking north from Coburb, one is avoiding the majority of the light and atmospheric pollution of greater Melbourne. If you were closer in, or to the south of the CBD it may well be impossible.
I have been a regular, annual observer of Andromeda from home, just south of Hobart. Down here, Andromeda only rises to a shade over 5 degrees when culminating (crossing the Meridian). So, an even more difficult challenge. Yes, November is the most convenient month for an evening try when Andromeda is culminating.
Here is an earlier thread that I started to record these observations. There were a couple of Victorian observers who contributed to this thread that may give you some ideas.
https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/...ad.php?t=99242
Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by darkage
For a few years I've been casually checking stellarium and when I see Andromeda up on the map I go out and have a look for it with the good old binoculars. (from memory I think around November thru to summer) Mind you this is in the suburbs of Melbourne under Bortle 6 skies. Havent been able to find it yet, pretty sure I know the rough location by referencing the nearby stars & rough finger measurements.
I know its low down on the horizon. Is it at all possible to view from my current location in the outer suburbs of Melbourne or a dark sky site an absolute must for visual ?
Inlaws house in the Country side in China (Bortle 3) have it very super high in the sky at an excellent viewing position but problem with country side in China is every house has a wood fire kitchen/heating so would be lucky to actually get one or 2 clear nights on a 2 to 3 week visit with all the air pollution. Mind you havent been there for a few years due to covid.
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