Hi everyone,
This thread is to announce viewing sessions and activities being conducted by the
Blue Mountains Astronomical Club, Inc..
Our dark sky site is at Katoomba Airfield in Medlow Bath. Sessions there are conducted once or twice a month depending on the timing of the new Moon. We also conduct outreach events with schools and other community groups. While we are based in the Blue Mountains, our membership is spread across Sydney which means we also conduct events at other locations.
The "Airfield" provides the very best astro location two hours west from the Sydney CBD. It is at 1000m above sea level, set atop of a sandstone plateau that readily drains away rain, surrounded by a 300m deep complex valley system, with vegetation that is primarily forest and not lush turf or agricultural land, all of which provides conditions that are not only dark, but also very transparent and routinely dew-free. The Airfield also offers us that "big sky" experience with a very low treeline.
,
,
Sessions at the Airfield are open to visitors with a small donation to the club:
* Visitor with a telescope or photographic equipment* $10
* Visitor without a telescope or photographic equipment* $5
* Family admission (two adults & two kids) without a
telescope or photographic equipment* $15
* Please note that photographic equipment is considered everything other than a mobile phone.
Club activities at the Airfield usually begin an hour or two before sunset. Arrival after dark is fine as we all have busy lives and sometimes it is just not possible to arrive before sunset.
SAFETY is paramount for us. Vehicular traffic is carefully controlled at the Airfield, and vehicular access to the set up field is only permitted for people bringing heavy equipment. Otherwise parking of cars is restricted to in front of the hangars.
PLEASE NOTE: The access gate to Katoomba Airfield is kept locked at night. Please call the phone number that is posted at the gate to gain access to the Airfield during our activity nights.
Session green light or cancellation
Sessions at the Airfield or other events is dependent on weather conditions being favourable. If a session has the green light no further notices are given here in this thread or our Facebook site.
However, if an event needs to be cancelled due to weather, or other conditions such as bushfires, we endeavour to update this thread and Facebook page as soon as possible.
Our Facebook page:
BMAstro on Facebook
Further information:
website:
bmastro.org.au
email: secretary - Ian Tasker:
Ian.Tasker@westernsydney.edu.au
email:
info@bmastro.org.au
Please note: Katoomba Airfield is private property, and is not open to the general public at night under any circumstances. We have special permission to conduct our community events from the Airfield management.