I have noticed that the Star Party threads from last year have now been cleaned out (appropriately). So I thought it would be a good idea to start up the Bretti Star Party thread for 2015. This is a place for people heading up to Bretti Reserve (northwest of Gloucester NSW) to contact other IIS members, make arrangments, and schedule meetings up there, etc.
In past years Bretti Reserve has been has been a regular New Moon destination for people looking for a good dark site within reasonable distance of the NSW Central Coast and the Newcastle/Mid-North coast area, as well as people from Sydney. For those that have not attended BRetti in the past, it's at the junction of two small rivers, and is a large free camp area, with plenty of room for IIS groups to setup without getting to close to other campers. Details are here:
http://www.findacamp.com.au/camp-site.php?camp=605
Note that because Bretti is a free camp reserve there are other users, and it is well liked by the grey nomads (who tend to stay down near the trees and river of the north side). It should be avoided during the NSW school holidays, due to its popularity.
So if your interested in joining other IIS members at this dark site (usually around 21.7+ on the Sky Quality metre, and far away from any light domes or sky glow), just follow this thread and watch for people suggesting trips. Bretti is a great location for both visual observation and imaging activity, but it should be noted that there is no AC power available at the Reserve so you will need to be self-sufficient in power systems (generators are allowed at the site, but please respect the other users when using them, and have battery power to sustain you through the long dark nights if staying up late).
It is worth noting that Bretti is at its best in winter and outside of the holiday periods, so the February New Moon (on the 18th) and that weekend is likely the first time this year that we can expect some interest.
Please consider this your thread for Bretti Dark Site trip planning. There is no organiser, and I won't be spuiking events, it's up to each of you. Hope to see you out there.
)
