Observing night at Kincumber Recreation Reserve

[tornado33]

Last night a few of us from the Newcastle Astronomical Society went to the Kincumber Recreation Reserve to do a viewing night for the local community. I assisted with manning the NAS's 12 inch Lightbridge. Was a big roll up of kids and adults to look through the scopes under a (compared to my place) a lovely dark sky with pleasant night time temperatures.

After Mercury, Venus Jupiter it was on to Omega Centauri, M4, Lagoon, Triffid Nebulae, and an unexpected bonus, Comet McNaught (C/2008 A1), readily visible in the 12 inch. I moved to galaxies NGC 253 and NGC55, and the Saturn Nebula.

The organizers kindly suppied copious cups of tea/coffee and munchies, then afterwards ordered some nice hot pizza for us, making it a pleasure for us to be there. Thanks to Chris and Sarah for providing transport, and to the organizers at the reserve for looking after us like they did.

We observed from here (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.458249,151.390834&spn=0.003218,0.006952&t=h&z=18) at the left hand side clearing near the main building. An enjoyable evening
Scott

[GTB_an_Owl]

what "Kincumber" you talking about Scott ?

geoff

[RB]

From the map (zoom out) it's 'our' local Kincumber Geoff.

Good work Scott, good to see the public enjoying an observing night and hopefully sparking interest and inspiring the youngsters.

You'll have to get Houghy one night and come visit us at the pony club.

:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

you mean to say he was trespassing RB ?

importing weapons of astronomy without a license ?

what else can we charge him with

better still - what punishment can we bestow on him ?

how about he has to get h0ughy to come to a pony club meet sometime in the next 4 months

that would be fitting :lol:

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

oops - sorry - didn't read your bottom line RB

geoff

[RB]

That would also be most welcome ! :)

[Rick Petrie]

Is this area at Kincumber Mountain accessable for the general public anytime? If so it would be a good place to frequent for us coastal dwellers away from suburbia lights. Probably not as good as Pony Club but would be a good in between meets venue.
The access road used to be closed off at night. Does anyone know if it is open full time.
Cheers Rick:)

[tornado33]

I think it is normally closed at night except for special events like this. They also had on a spotlighting walk for the kids in addition to the observing, though I heard that apart from a Tawny Frogmouth, the wildlife didnt come out to play.
Its darker than most sites around newcastle but not as dark as the paintball place Ive been to at IIS astro evenings

I wish Id bought along my (now legal) laser pointer to the Nature reserve night as I got many questions as to what we were looking at and where in the sky it was :)
I also forgot to mention we had a Mag-7 Irridium flare as well
Scott

[GTB_an_Owl]

i remember that rock formation
went there for a xmas gathering once
from memory the mossies were the size of helicopters

geoff

[glenc]

Kincumber has old astronomy connections.
James Dunlop lived there and was buried there 160 years ago.
Dunlop hill is named after him.