Pony Club - can we consider alternatives ?

[astropolak]

Hi PC goers
Can we have a discussion on Pony Club alternatives? It seems to me that we have make time around weather rather than trying to force the weather to go our way. So many times in the past we had brilliant nights around the sacred Saturday night on New Moon. Some of us would love to visit PC on Fridays or Sundays, hell what about during the week.... especially now during the holiday season.
If PC can not accommodate us in those times perhaps we can look elsewhere.
Frankly the PC is a fairly poor substitute for a dark site, lots of sky glow and the cars and of course the distant street lights....
There was a discussion on this forum about alternative sites including an airstrip, can we work something out here?

Joe

[Rodstar]

Hi Joe,

I am certainly in favour of finding a darker sky location.

Whilst it is nice to have less interference from trees than the Paint Ball site (Kulnurra), and a nice open field with better facilities, I for one MUCH preferred Kulnurra.

We have problems at the moment with a bright yellow street light that bugs me every time I observe at the Pony Club, and the absence of trees to the south and south east just introduces more sky glow from Sydney and Gosford. The skies at the Pony Club are certainly better than suburbia, but with another 15-20 mins drive I am sure we can do better.

It is a huge effort to pack the Mary Rose. Oftentimes the conditions at the Pony Club cause me to question whether it is worth it.

This month I chose to observe at a darker site location (on the Friday). It is a private property (someone else's), so I am not at liberty to offer it for general IIS use, but frankly it completely outdoes the Pony Club for observing conditions. At the end of the day, it is more the social contact than the sky conditions that bring to the Pony Club. I would be much happier if we were under darker skies.

Having said all of the above, we are hugely indebted to the Pony Club and to Geoff Byrnes for his efforts in making this venue available to us. I actually think that access is easier than you think Joe....it is just that as a matter of courtesy we should just give them notice. Several members now have keys, so it is an easy thing to organise with a day or two's notice.

[gb_astro]

Have to agree with making "time around weather".
The option of an alternate day or days would be great.

Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl]

the option of ANY day is always there folks

all we need is a key holder to be available (and that can be arranged for the frequent visitor) and a curtesy email or phone call to Justine from the pony club to say we will be using the site

no special permission is required

i guess the only proviso would be that you know how to turn the water on and off and leave it as you find it

i must agree with Rod about a darker site being better - but i guess we just have to keep looking until we find it - and enjoy what we have when we can

geoff

[bones]

To be honest, at the moment I don't mind either way. The Pony Club is the darkest site I've been able to observe at to date. Thinking back, what would we have done at the start of the month at the Chistmas party night if we didn't have the clubhouse to shelter in when the storms hit? If an alternative site is found it would be good if there was such a convenience available. The AC power is a bonus too. Q: How often have we hung around waiting for the skies to clear?

[Arthur Alchin]

there is a park behind lingalonga road at yarramalong. Went to an engagment party before Xmas, lots of trees on the boundary and is a public park: anybody seen this place before: don't know if it would be appropriate, looks half good

Arthur

[gb_astro]

"there is a park behind Linga Longa road at yarramalong"

Google Earth shows a lot of houses near it....?

Greg.

[gb_astro]

Just a thought....

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Linga+Longa+Rd,+Yarramalong+NSW+2 259&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=35.379553,47.285156&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FVYKBf4d9lgECQ&ll=-33.16881,151.194577&spn=0.017027,0.033045&t=h&z=16

Anyone know anything about this bare piece of ground north west of Kulnura?

Greg.

[gary]

Hi Greg,

Unfortunately this particular road is gated and closed to public access as are others in that locale,
since they fall within the Mangrove Mountain Dam catchment area. The perimeter of the
catchment area along George Downes Drive has red and white "NO ENTRY" signs periodically along it.

Many Moons ago there were spots along there one could observe from and we did, however the
closing of access to protect the catchment area closed many of those spots.

Best Regards

Gary
Mt. Kuring-Gai

[gb_astro]

Thanks Gary, saved me a long drive.

Greg.

[koputai]

You can get there by boat though, a mate and I got up as far as the dam last summer!

Cheers,
Jason.

[RB]

LOL now wouldn't that be a sight, Rod and the Mary Rose sailing up river for a night's observing session. :lol:

[GTB_an_Owl]

stop talking about WATER you blokes :cloudy:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Just thought i'd put my opinion forward about the Pony Club.

I am happy with the PC myself. You have to remember we have 240 volts for coffee, light, computers etc, shelter and reasonable ammenities.
The grounds are slashed during most of the year giving us a comfotable flat area. Great access and stacks of room for anyone and evryone.
Apart from a few local dogs, :eyepop: I love the place.

The sky is not as dark as some places I know, but thats why I go away for star parties to get the darker skies.
The Pony Club is convenient as well for me, as its within a reasonable distance for travel.

Stay at the PC I say, its done me well so far.

Geoffro.

[astropolak]

So, who are the blessed key holders for Pony Club?
Any of you are planning to visit this week/weekend ?

Joe

[iceman]

I'm keen to go, maybe Thursday or Friday night. Needs a new thread though :)