Which site Glen Bretti or Chaffey?
I should be able to make it for the 24th and 25th.
Given Allan's report re Chaffey skies that might be the better option. There is the added benefit of mobile phone contact so early birds can report conditions
hope you all realize - school holidays from the 19th Sep to 7th Oct
On good nights the sky quality meter readings are very similar at 21.7+. In terms of school holidays, I am sure we were at Bretti during at least one school holiday prriod last year, when the kids came around to look at the scopes but maybe that was a weekend. Bretti dorsn't really have attractions for a family holiday but Lake Chaffey does including fishing, proximity to Tamworth, and hot showers (a big draw card with the ladies I would imagine, not to mention proper toilets).
At Bretti your more likely to have grey nomads and generally they avoid school holiday periods. People may camp at Bretti ging to or from holiday points but I can't ever recall a crowd issues. At Chaffey its a massive area so even crowded it will only show it at the facilities. Both are pet friendly. There can be a slight sky glow at Chaffey from Tamworth to the northwest.
I should point out that my daughter is about to have her first child and my first grand-child, and she will be about a week away from her due date during the Sept new moon; meaning that if she delivers early I will be going to Sydney. It would be nice to have mobile coverage which Chaffey has but Bretti doesn't but Bretti is closer.
They are both nice places but I tend to favour Bretti for a short few days mid-week around the new moon, but that's just me in my situation this time around.
Allan, I pretty much agree with what Glen said. I did a bit of reflecting after my last trip to Chaffey Dam. While Chaffey Dam and Bretti both have SQM approaching 21.8, that can be a bit miss leading. I think the light dome from Tamworth and the reflection that comes from the water off the dam makes Chaffey seem a bit brighter than Bretti. So Bretti is still my pick for the darkest skies I have observed from over the last 2 years.
But I found 5 days at Chaffey easy to do because of the showers, I can't do that at Bretti. So for me, I will stick to Bretti for 2 or 3 days, but Chaffey for longer trips. Over school holidays Bretti is the easy choice as I think Chaffey would be crazy busy.
So in a couple of weeks there is a possible Equinox New Moon trip to Bretti (logically mid-week 23-25 Sept), which has been discussed previously. Then the next obvious time would be the October New Moon period which falls on Friday the 24th of October - making a long weekend (or longer) a good option for some. The October New Moon period will be outside of the NSW school holiday period, which should mean less people anywhere. I am mentioning that now as some people will need time to make plans if they want to do something around those dates.
Beyond October it may get too hot and the holiday season in December is pretty much out of the question. So the next couple of New Moons represent the best chance to get out there and enjoy a dark site adventure in 2014.
It looks like we can get away on the 24th September and maybe looking to go to Bretti for a few days.
We are meeting my Grandaughter halfway to Manilla which is near Tamworth to bring her home for part of the school holidays, and Bretti is about halfway.
We also may be picking up the new caravan next week and would like to take it for a test run and Bretti would be an ideal place.
So who else is likely to go that week as previously discussed, as it would be nice to catch up with a few of you all?
Hope the weather plays fair!
Rick I am planning on being at Bretti from the afternoon of the 22nd through the night of the 24th. I might be able to stay longer but it will depend on my daughter holding on to her baby abit longer ( I will need to check in by phone).
New caravan eh, gee the old one was pretty nice, what kind is it?
