New Observing Site NSW Southern Highlands

[The Mekon]

Is anyone interested in using a dark sky observing site about 15 minutes outside of Bowral in the Southern Highlands?
I have made inquiries of our local council to use the Tourist Road oval for astronomy. So far they have been very supportive and have offered me a key to the gates for just the $50 deposit, to be used anytime during the year.
This site would be ideal for those on the southwest side of Sydney or in Wollongong, being about 1 hours drive from Liverpool, or 45 minutes from the Gong.
It has a large grass field with clear views to about 5 or 6 degrees above the horizon, where it is obscured by trees. The quiet road is about 50 metres away, but any passing traffic should not affect observing, as there is a stand of trees beside the road.
There are toilets are on site, and power may be available – further investigation required for this.
I would be happy to make this a regular IIS spot, much of the action for this forum seems centred on the Blue Mouintains and central coast.

I have included a map. Tourist road is not labelled but is just north and east of the Wingecarribee Reservoir. The location is right in the centre of the map. Can easily be seen on Google earth as a clearing just south of the road.

[Larryp]

Sounds like a great spot, John! As you say, an easy one for those of us in south-western Sydney and the 'Gong:)

[Wavytone]

Hi John, I know this spot from my travels many years ago as I had a friend living in Kangaloon, and I'd be happy to give it a try if there's a spectacularly good evening looming but if it's the slightest bit dodgy weather-wise I would give it a miss. I tried observing from the Bowral - Mittagong area in the 1980's, starting with Mt Gibraltar and the boat launching areas on the banks of both reservoirs.

The good side: For me (upper north shore) its still an easy fast drive and the time is about the same or possibly a few minutes less than the Katoomba airstrip; Alex and Peter have easy access via the M5 too.

The bad side: that area has a relatively poor record for clear nights for two reasons:

a) it is surrounded by farmland for many kilometres in all directions, ie heavy dark soils that hold a lot of moisture. Plus the big reservoir nearby. This means heavy dew most nights, a high likelihood of fog, and low cloud is common at night.

b) with the exception of Mt Gibraltar, the region is not high (take a look at a topo map or with a GPS) as well as surrounded by rolling hills. This is not effective to break the formation of fog or low cloud around the observing site you suggest, nor to assist the production of afternoon thermals (and thunderstorms) that could clear the air later in the evening.

In comparison the Blue mountains sites area are high (~1000 metres) on sand or sandstone, which don't hold water so dew is almost non-existent and fog can't sit on the observing sites. Even better, the escarpment on the west side creates big afternoon/evening thermals (I fly a paraglider in these) which play a significant role in producing clear skies at locations near the escarpment, and along the ridge to Bell.

[The Mekon]

Thanks Laurie, Wavytone for your comments.

I agree somewhat with the assessment of weather conditions down here. In summer especially, a fine clear day can turn very quickly into a cloudy, or dewy night as moisture is pushed up the escarpment in the early evening. It is very frustrating.
Last night was a case in point, started out real nice, then around 11pm, I started thinking "what is wrong with this scope?" Took out the binoculars and halos visible around even 2nd mag stars. Checked the humidity and what started as 40% at 8pm was now 84% at 11pm.

The remaining three seasons often hold out better prospects, I have had may good nights over the years in this area. Elevation is around 700m which is better than 70m! Sure the nights are cool, but no more so than the Blue Mtns! My post was more aimed at IIS members closer to the area, I think if I lived in north or western Sydney, I also would look first to the Blue Mtns.

Perhaps later in the year when prospects are more steady, I will post up some nights at this location.

John