With the fire season starting, and the recent fire at Warrimoo, the Airfield has seen some early action. But the immediate danger has now passed, and Rod is making the Airfield available to us for this Saturday 22nd of November.
I am hoping to get there before sunset, between 7 and 7:30. As always there is no knock off time - when you've had enough that's your que. We are also welcome to stay overnight.
Access to the Airfield is via Medlow Bath, the next village after Katoomba heading west. At Medlow Bath's only set of traffic lights turn into Station Pde, and then turn left into Rutland. Rutland is also known as Grand Canyon Drive. The Airfield is 4km from this intersection with the last 3km being unsealed. Being unsealed it can experience erosion that can create nasty ruts in the road surface, so take it easy.
The Airfield is totally BYO power, food, drinks, etc. Loos are available for kids and ladies. There are sofas in the office building we can get some kip in too. The office building also has a combustion heater that becomes the centre of the universe during winter.
This is an informal gathering. We all share the cost of a gift to Rod of his preferred brew. The hat gets passed around for this.
These get togethers are a great chance to ask questions if you are new to astronomy. Folks who come up bring a wide variety of instruments and gear, and their interests vary just as widely from visual through to imaging (and even sketching... ). The Airfield's elevation at 1000m also makes it not only one of the highest observing sites close to Sydney, but also its elevation makes a big impact in reducing the influence of Sydney's light pollution,
Heading to the Airfield
Note that some natsav systems call this site "Katoomba Airport", and won't show Katoomba Airfield.
On entering the Airfield's gates, keep to the left hand track - there is no access to the observing field using the other two tracks. Drive past the "no entry" sign and turn right up the hill past the various buildings. The setup slab is on the left once you reach the main runway.
The first pic below shows the route to the Airfield coming from Katoomba. The second pic shows the way to the observing slab on the main runway.
If you have a telescope, bring it along! If all you have are binoculars, brilliant! Bring them! Binos are a fantastic astronomy tool. I always bring my pair. If you don't have a scope, no problem either, we like to share the views through ours.
Hi,I live in Medlow Bath, just south of the Hydro majestic. They opened for service last week and since then the sky is flooded with light. They have large flood lights that point skyward to illuminate the Casino dome and at least another building. tried to observe last night but there was a lot of skyglow, especially to the north of me. Just thought I would let you guys know, not sure how it's going to effect you at the airfield, most likely a light dome to the west of you. If possible can someone report back about any difference to sky quality at the site . Thanks in advance.
You've brought up an interesting point. I've been in contact with the Hydro Majestic to see if we can work something out. I for one am not kicking up a fight about this as I can understand the reasons that the hotel needs to be illuminated, for guests and publicity. I'm seeing if the big lights that shoot up into the sky can be turned off for us when we are at the Airfield from a certain hour. It might mean hosting some of the Hydro's staff to have a squizz through our scopes as a gesture of thanks, but we need to give if they are to give. If we manage to get them on side it would be our best chance.
I'm more than happy to give any visitors looks through my scope. I find public outreach sessions very rewarding in any case, so if this is for a mutual benefit then I'm all in.
You've brought up an interesting point. I've been in contact with the Hydro Majestic to see if we can work something out. I for one am not kicking up a fight about this as I can understand the reasons that the hotel needs to be illuminated, for guests and publicity. I'm seeing if the big lights that shoot up into the sky can be turned off for us when we are at the Airfield from a certain hour. It might mean hosting some of the Hydro's staff to have a squizz through our scopes as a gesture of thanks, but we need to give if they are to give. If we manage to get them on side it would be our best chance.
Any thoughts?
Mental.
I wonder if we could set up some scopes in their grounds one night? Or is that what you meant?
Welp. It was a good run in the mountains. Hargraves Lookout is now dead as it has direct line of sight to the hydro majestic. Which is a bloody shame because in summer it is a wonderful site. The airfield does at least have about 3 KM of space between it and the hydro. But, that may not be enough to negate its affects.
I'm happy to share an open night with our scopes. For whatever good that will do.
Mount Blackheath lookout has some more distance between it and the Hydro so I hope its still ok.
I've spoken with Rod at the Airfield. He told me that he hasn't noticed the lights from the Hydro. The Airfield is 4km from Medlow Bath. While the glow might not be immediately visible, a time exposure photo could show otherwise.
I'm trying to appeal to the community sense of the management of the Hotel to the other groups that are active in the Blue Mountains. If we can get them to understand our requirements, and that we are not there to disrupt their business, they may be able to work with us on those few occasions we would use the Airfield. Inviting the staff, in particular those with the keys to the lights, will hopefully have them be simpathetic to our needs and work with us. Nothing like good PR between business, neighbours & community.
The contract for the running of the Airfield is also up for renewal, and even Expressions Of Interests are being invited. This could also go some way to having the Hydro support Rod's running of the Airfield and our access to it.
May well be good to assess the new situation. Won't hurt to talk to them in the mean time.
Thanks all, the problem is that the lights are on all night, they were still on at 2.30am, I can't see the need to have them on all night flooding the sky, there should be a curfew for such lighting, really who is going to look at the dome at 3am, apart from passing trucks. In one go the Hydro has ruined a relatively dark sky(hopefully this is only a temporary problem)An electrician up here is also a lighting engineer and a member of the International dark sky association and a fellow Stargazer , and he is looking into the situation as regards lighting curfews.
They leave the lights on like that all night? That is ridiculous, like you said Gus, there is no one around at 2:30am apart from the odd truck driving past. I driven from Katoomba Airfield back to Sydney many times and not seen one car on the road until I hit the beginning of the M4. What a waste of power... and money on their part in regards to their power bill. Surely it would be in their best interests to at least turn them off after a certain time.
Good to know you know someone who is a lighting engineer and a member of the International Dark Sky Association. With his and Alex's efforts we should hopefully have it sorted out soon.
I'm appalled at such thoughtless design, implementation and regulation. There should be laws against it. I thought the Blue Mountains was supposed to be a world heritage site?
The darkness is part of the natural beauty of the area. Hargrave's will now be constantly "full Moon". Gutted
I feel for those of you living in the area, Gus...
I've been speaking to Elizabeth Ward, who is the events manager at Escarpment Group who runs the Hydro Majestic. I've mentioned our concerns as astronomers to the excessive lighting of the structure of the Hydro. I've also mentioned the concerns that have been expressed by Gus as a resident of Medlow Bath as to the light pollution these lights have brought to the 'Mountains.
I've also mentioned that we are not insensitive to the commercial needs of the Hotel to advertise itself with signage and guest safety. I am hoping that all of this goes some way to getting them on side. I also mentioned how much of the charm of the Blue Mountains is the dark sky, and how they would benefit from restoring this for their guests.
We might see some of the staff of the Hydro Majestic at the Airfield from 7pm to 9pm. I am hoping a good-will gesture will help sway them to the benefit of the larger community. I hope this is fine by you fellows,
They may just not be aware of what they have caused lighting wise. Hopefully they will see the longer term benefit to turning off their major floodlighting lamps off from say 9 or 10pm for the rest of the evening - apart that it stops attracting every moth, bug and mozzie to the hotel...
Last edited by mental4astro; 20-11-2014 at 01:21 PM.
I am having a similiar light pollution battle with a developer trying to build a marina and function centre here on the Lake. I have found ammunition for my fight in the Environmental Assessment document that is part of the Development Application. The Environmental Assessment includes 'Visual Impact' and this is regarded as public domain. My objection to the development has been based on the night sky public domain and I referenced the Light Polljtion Map in my obection document that went to the Joint Planning Panel.
There is an Australian Standard for 'Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting' its AS 4282-1997, abit out of date but they should have had to comply with that under the DA for redevelopment of the site - something to check as the DA should be a public document. Perhaps a call to the Council Planning Office would help.
