As an eternal optimist, I'm happy to say that the Katoomba Airfield is being made available to us for Saturday 17th of November.
This is the first Saturday after the total Solar eclipse that is being so eagerly awaited. From Sydney the eclipse will be a partial one, but memorable all the same.
I'm hoping for a change in fortunes on the 17th. I'm hoping to also hear a few stories from any eclipse chasers who might join us too.
Access to the Airfield is via Medlow Bath, the first village after Katoomba heading west. A google search will find it easily. One note, the road leading to the Airfield is 4km, of which the last 3km is unsealed and can have some erosion damage due to rain - take it easy.
On entering the Airfield's gate, turn LEFT and go past the "no entry" sign, and then turn right up past the various buildings to the main runway and the concrete slab we set up on. The picture below will give you some guidance. The second photo shows the view looking west from where we set up, and the third shows the set up slab and the view east. The last photo shows the attendees of one of the previous sessions at the Airfield.
The Airfield is completely a BYO place - your own power, food, etc. There are loos, and we are welcome to stay overnight and sleep in the office building. One particularly cold nights we fire up the combustion heater, which then becomes the most frequented meeting spot during the night .
I'm disappointed I didn't get to fulfil my autumn and winter sketching lists. Hopefully the spring list will see a good dent made in it, and last summer's unfinished lot seen to as well.
If you have any questions, please ask. If you don't have a scope that is not a problem as there are plenty of folks only too happy to share the views through their instruments. Your enthusiasm is enough to bring.
Hope to see you there,
Mental.
Last edited by mental4astro; 17-10-2012 at 12:53 PM.
I'd say from 6, but it's fluid. The Airfield manager, Rod, will be there all day, so if you are early you won't be alone, nor likely to be on the runway until the all clear is given. This Airfield is in use only during the day by aircraft.
A little heads up on another treat, if you haven't yet seen the Great Andromeda Galaxy, M31, the 17th will be one of the last chances to see it for the year in all its splendour. It will a 'tight' viewing as it will be at meridian right on twilight's end, and only be up for less than 2 hours from meridian.
Chasing M31 is M33, and it's up for a little longer. M33 too is a naked eye object when conditions are good.
There's a few sofas there that you can crash on. But yes you'll need to bring a blanket, pillow or sleeping bag. If the sofa's become all taken, the floor is carpeted so a sleeping bag is probably the way to go.
Now, if you need an inflatable mattress, just consider that while the office is large, the furnishings there take up space, so a bit of a premium for a mattress. You may be better off with a foam rollable mat.
Mate, it will have been a long time since out last meeting. Will be good to catch up.
With the weather forecast not looking too promising a few days out, please check this thread for any updates on the go ahead of the session. The call to proceed or cancel could be made as late as Saturday afternoon.
We also show our appreciation to Rod, the Airfield manager, by giving him a gift of a slab of his favourite brew. The cost of the slab is shared out amungst the adult attendees. The hat will be passed around during the night to cover the gift for Rod.
Its going to take a Christmas miracle to get a clear night this weekend. But BOM sat maps suggest the weekend after maybe a more successful venture hmm?
.
