I liked Chaffey. It's nice having the shower and not having to hold your breath when you go to the toilet. But Bretti is closer and the sky there is as dark as outback South Australia where I started off in astronomy.
Next new moon is the 31st which is a Monday. I am just going to keep an eye on the weather and make a last minute decision as to the best time to go. The weekend before the new moon is probably the best option, as long as the weather looks good, in case anyone else wants to go. But I will do mid week if that's the only chance for good weather. I will keep you posted. If nothing else, my furry friend will be there to keep me company.
I will also try to get to Bretti at the end of this month with my pooch. Anyone else that can make for a couple of days? It can't be hot , not again. Looking forward to a Horsehead shoot out with Allan.
I will try to get there too just depends on the dates.
For those of you with skysafari I have at last set up a raspberry pi as as a wifi interface for skysafari. Works out much cheaper than other devices. The pi provides both the wifi for the iPad and serial connections for my nexstar.
For those considering a trip to Bretti the last weekend of March (say anywhere from the 27th through the 31st), I have checked the Hours of Darkness and can report that there will be no residual moon intrusion between sunset and nominal dawn (well ok on the 27th the moon does rise at 4:04am). New Moon is on the 31st (Monday) but it's irrelevant from the 27th onward.
The only factor could be the weather and time will tell (well ok some people may have 'other commitments" and I understand that fully.
For those in the Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle area, the upcoming New Moon trip to the Bretti Dark Site is an excellent opportunity to get your scope out to a true dark location and see what it can do.
Everyone is welcome (even dogs) at the Bretti Reserve free camp location. Anyone wishing to come along, even if just for one night, just let us know here, or you can just show up. I'll probably be onsite from Friday noon (the 28th) onward, maybe the 27th if anyone else wants to go up that early. There is no moon light to contend with during that weekend.
Shane there maybe caravaners (being a free camp) there but they tend to favour the left (northwest) side of the access road that runs along the pond area and river as that is where the trees are and they like shade. They also tend to favour long-weekends and holiday periods, which the proposed weekend is not. We have seen the Mid-North Coast caravaners club there but there were only about five vans along the trees oriented away from us facing toward the river and trees, no site lighting so nothing really to be concerned about.
Where Geoff has indicated, on the flats just by the bluff over the river is where the best observation setup area is located. There is a causeway over the river at the south eastern end of the flats.
Water in the river can be used for showers and washing up but not for drinking, you need to bring your drinking water with you. There is a toilet (drop type) shown on Geoff's aerial photo, and rubbish bins around the place.
It's a fairly easy scenic two hours from the central coast (just past Gloucester) on the Thunderbolt Way. It's probably three hours from Sydney.
I saw people up that end. One poor lady came out of her caravan and went nose to nose with a herd of cattle ( I think they were looking in through her window). I heard her shriek from the other end, then just watched her try to shoo them away for the next few minutes.
Such fun!
With a bit of luck, I may be able to stretch the Pajero's legs that far, later this month.
Just a reminder that it is two weeks till the next New Moon dark site camp at Bretti Reserve near Gloucester. All are welcome and as its cooling off now it should be a comfortable few days.
It's just two weeks till the next New Moon dark site get together at Bretti Reserve near Gloucester. All are welcome and as its cooling off now it should be a comfortable few days. Camping and van parking is free at Bretti, and there are drop toilets but bring any drinking water you require. Dogs are allowed. If you need power for your rig bring your battery or generator.
Bretti Reserve facility and location details here:
For those in the Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle area, the upcoming New Moon trip to the Bretti Dark Site is an excellent opportunity to get your scope out to a true dark location and see what it can do.
Everyone is welcome (even dogs) at the Bretti Reserve free camp location. Anyone wishing to come along, even if just for one night, just let us know here, or you can just show up. I'll probably be onsite from Friday noon (the 28th) onward, maybe the 27th if anyone else wants to go up that early. There is no moon light to contend with during that weekend.
As Leighton Hewitt would say "Come On"!
I am looking a possible to get there on Friday 28th for a few days.
Still a lot needs to happen before then, to allow it, but I have tacit approval.
The elephant in the room is the long range weather forecasts that look discouraging.
But here's hoping
I believe its about time we got some good weather for observing...
... how come Full Moon is always cloud free and clear?
That's great news Allan (L). I have similiar concerns about the weather, but if it closes us out for Friday/Saturday maybe we could consider sliding the dates up there. As the New Moon isn't actually until Monday the 31st, and what moon there would be doesn't appear in darkness until after the 2nd, it is feasible to slide the dates a few days - say Sunday through Tuesday. I realise that's not an option for some people. Waiting to hear from Newcastle Alan. Anyway let's keep our weather fingers crossed for the entire weekend period.
PS I noticed Houghy's post on the new intersection lighting installed near his house, that is going to impact his imaging for sure, and I have invited him to come along to Bretti.
Yes still definitely heading to Bretti. But as I originally said, I didn't want to put a firm day on it. I don't want to head there and get clouded out again like at Chaffey. I was originally leaning toward the weekend weather permitting so others could join in. The moon is out of the way enough from next Thursday for me to head up. We will just keep an eye on the weather for now.
I've got 6 weeks off now so I can come and go and observe as I please for a while.