Leyburn (QLD) 16th / 17th of March

[astro_south]

Quite a few IISers are planning on some observing out at Leyburn on the dark weekend in March, most likely including the crew from around Casino.

Since Cambroon is out for March, perhaps some of those regulars would like to make the trek out. It is about 2 hours from Brisbane (which is about the same time for me to get to Cambroon).

I will be going out for the two nights (weather permitting).

The location is the dark sky site for the Southern Astronomical Society, and while we will be sharing the site with the societies regulars, guest are more than welcome. While it can't be garranteed, there is a strong likelihood that there will be some big dobs out there, as there are a few members that have 20"+ dobs.

Details about the site can be found here....
http://www.sas.org.au/_quasar/Leyburn%20Details.pdf

Please reply here with your interest (so we know who to expect) :thumbsup:

Weather Permitting....
Astro_south
Allan Gould
gsb
glenc
CoombellKid

Possibles
Gargoyle_Steve
Davewaldo

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Andrew thanks very much or posting this!

I'm definitely interested, in fact I was talking to William (ArgoNavis) about this on Sunday, but I'm also estimating it's 3+ hours trip from my place at Caloundra - we're a possibility (Joy and I), but not a strong one at this stage. All I can say is I'll post again when we've had a chance to talk about it and compare alternatives.

Cheers!

[gsb]

As Cambroon is out for March I would make the trek for the two days, so put me down Thanks!

gsb

[allan gould]

Ill be coming weather permitting

[astro_south]

Allan - I thought you were part of the furniture out there!!

gsb - it will be nice to meet up with some new faces.

Steve - nice if you can make it out, but understand if you can't make it.


I should point out that there is a $5 fee per night to cover the use of the gas for cooking / hot water, the recharging of baterries for the toilet and lights in the caravans. There is a van out there with 2 bunk beds that are first in, best dressed - so perhaps bring a tent as backup. There is a flushing toilet, and most of the regulars go into town (about 5 mins away) for a shower. You can also get dinner at the general store or venture into the pub. Most activity during the day involves sleep, equipment maintainence and sitting around talking all things astronomical. It is a great chance to pick the brains of some of the experts out there, pick up some ideas and get some hands on help.

Maps and other details are in the pdf I linked to in the original post, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already.

[Odlaw]

I'm a possible at this stage

[astro_south]

Thanks Oddy. If you do make it out, the offer of filter testing still stands :thumbsup:

[Odlaw]

Thanks Andrew

[CoombellKid]

Hi Andrew,

Yup I should be there, weather permitting will be coming with Glen

hopefully see you all there

regards,CS

[astro_south]

Great news Rob!

Are you bringing scopes? If not, now worries - you are welcome to mine, and there will be plenty of other scopes out there to keep you busy.

[davewaldo]

I would like to try and make it out there, I have a few new additions to my astro gear 'I would love to play with under dark skies!

Put me down as possibly.

Cheers

Dave.

[CoombellKid]

Only the PST and maybe some EP's, if you can bring your camera tripod?


looking forward to it. haven't been to Leyburn for a while.

regards,CS

[Odlaw]

Work has won out again, I'm out sorry guys

[davewaldo]

looks like I'm out too guys :(

I've worked the last 3 weekends and will be working the following one too so I think the wife deserves some of my time this week.

next time for sure!

Have fun.

[glenc]

Friday looks good, Saturday not so good.
http://abc.net.au/southqld/weather/

[CoombellKid]

Hey Andrew,

Is that microwave still in the kitchen caravan? or is it my delusional memory
at work

regards,CS

[astro_south]

I haven't been out there since last September, but I am pretty sure there is no microwave. There is a gas stove if you need to heat things up.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I'm not going to make it this weekend I'm afraid, it would have been a great chance to meet a number of you for the first time so I'll make sure I put it on my agenda for another weekend.

I hope you all enjoy some great observing and wonderful company!

[astro_south]

No worries Steve. Might catch you at Ron's in the coming months

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I look forward to that Andrew - cheers mate!

[CoombellKid]

I think it will be the local Leyburn burger bar :lol: might try a get some fruit on the way out there. See you later today :D

Bummer Steve, I'll catch up at the next Astrofest Qld I guess

regards,CS

[leo]

Hi guys,
This newb wonders what is the location? An old airstrip near there? map? I can't make it tonight but would like to be able to attend later in the year.
Leo:)

[glenc]

See http://www.sas.org.au/

[dhumpie]

Hey Guys,

I should be out there Sat night as I have work and a meeting to attend on Fri :( Might be bringing a buddy with me (Rob and Andrew would have met him...John Zhu). Will probably bring my 10" GS, Orion ST80 and my 20x80LW. Hopefully the weather will be nice and transparent for all the DSO stuff I plan to do :) And it is a pity you can't make it Steve...oh well there is always next time. BTW Andrew you will have to jog my memory on this one...where is the turnoff into the site again? I remember there was some sort of signage...grand prix or something? That's so I don't go getting lost. If you can send me some of the relevant phone numbers such as Kev's or Peter's it would be great. PM me.

Anyway hope to see you all there. It has been a long time coming and I really need to take a break from my PhD...its driving me MAD!!!!!!

Darren

[CoombellKid]

It is a block of land surrounded by farmland, A map was post or link to it
in the first message of this thread. Apart from the odd tree it has fairly
clear horizons, if my memory serves me correct, but then again I thought
I remembered a microwave in the kitchen caravan :rolleyes: apart from 2-3 light
domes on the horizon it has nice dark skies.

Darren, will be good to see you again, hope to see you there :D

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

The weekend weather is looking positive for friday and saturday

Darren, I'll have my mobile with me, but I dont think there is service
out there... I'll PM it to you just incase

regards,CS

[astro_south]

Darren

the turn off you are referring to is just on a slight rise after you have go through a gentle gully. The road starts to bend to the left, and on the left hand side you will see the brown and white sign pointing to the historic Australian Grand Prix site. Take that right hand turn, follow it all the way down until the end, then it is about 200 to 500 metres on the gravel to the gate near a big tree.

The contact numbers can be found on the SAS site - I think in the PDF I link to in the first post.

Looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow night.

[dhumpie]

Thanks guys. Looking forward to getting under dark skies as well ;)

Darren

[glenc]

We had a great weekend at Leyburn with two perfectly clear nights, no dew on Friday night and only slight dew Saturday night. There were 40 people there last night. I enjoyed looking through Andrew's 12.5", Kevin's 16" and William's 25". Also saw most of the Messier galaxies in Leo and Virgo with 20x80 binoculars. Peter told us about Comet Lovejoy.

[CoombellKid]

Yes a splendid weekend with fine company. Thank you to Andrew, Kevin and
William for sharing the views through their scopes, and Glen for the lift up to
leyburn.

Oh yeah and the General Store in Leyburn for their fine Works Burger!!! yum!!! yum!!!

regards,CS

[dhumpie]

Yeah it was a brilliant weekend with superb transparency skies...and with great company too ;) Great meeting you Glen and it was good catching up with you Rob! And thanks Andrew for sharing your 12.5" for some memorable views and David for the tour of your neat obsevatory......looking forward to more Leyburn in the coming months!!!!

Darren