Katoomba/Wentworth Falls

[maksutover]

G'day all!

I will be heading to Wentworth Falls for the Aussie Day weekend and was wondering what the skies are like there? Will it be worth packing my stuff with me?

Also to anyone has had the chance to stargaze there, are there any perticular points like ovals or parks which are ideal?


Cheerio.

[maksutover]

Hasn't anyone been there/live there :P ?

[pvelez]

while its all relative, I think you'll notice a huge difference from where you are now. I'm in Haberfield and a trip up the mountains always makes me gasp - on clear nights anyway.

Katoomba can be a bit light polluted - you might pop down to the observatory at Linden - its on a ridge to the south-west of the highway and so doesn't face the city.

Not sure how the weather will be for you but I'm jealous as I'm likely to be stuck here in Sinnee

Pete

[Wavytone]

Planning to go to the mountains Saturday night for some casual observing with 4" refractor and 180mm Mak - depending how the weather and social arrangements shape up in the afternoon re dinner. If the weather is perfect we'll probably go for Hargreaves Lookout (see below) otherwise Narrowneck Rd or Sublime Point.

AFAIK Roger North's observatory on Kings Tableland is gone now, but there are some good spots along Tableland Rd - turn right into Hordern Rd, go to the western end, then turn left (south) onto a dirt track and choose a spot at the end of this, it looks over the valley west to Sublime Point.

Usually I go further than Wentworth Falls though - old favorites from the past 25 years:

- Sublime Point lookout or somewhere on the walking track from Gordon falls lookout if its a warm night and I'm sticking to very portable gear in a backpack,
- oval at south Leura (if its a windy westerly, the oval is dark and sheltered),
- Cahill's lookout western side of Katoomba,
- there is a useful spot along the Narrowneck Road off Cliff drive, on the western side of Katoomba.
- Hargreaves Lookout or Mt Blackheath, at the end of Shipley Plateau, out of Blackheath - if the weather is perfect, otherwise Evans Lookout or somewhere on the Hat Hill road north of town past the houses.
- Centennial Glen in the walled valley below Blackheath, heavy dew though and lots of wildlife at night - I have rented a cottage down there several times;
- Mt Wilson, either Cathedral of Ferns or the big picnic area near Yengo.

Of these Hargreaves Lookout, Mt Blackheath or Mt Wilson are the best observing sites in the Blue Mountains; you have to go a long way to do better.

Hargreaves is spectacular but very exposed and high, it has excellent horizons in most directions depending on where you put the scope in respect of a hideous stone shelter plonked there by the BMC. Dew is not a problem as its light sandstone country and very dry locally.

Mt Blackheath is also good - I used the strip where the hang gliders and paragliders takeoff by day.

Leura oval has black soil, dew can be a problem there if its calm.

Cahill's lookout - it's a bit of a walk to carry gear to the lookout proper but can be worth it; or else stay near the carpark if you want power, chances are you'll have it to yourself but expect maybe one or two passing cars in a night.

Cathedral of Ferns at Mt Wilson - good but large dogs can be a serious threat if you are on your own at night.

Lastly there are two other sites worth a mention if you want darker skies to go hunting galaxies visually:

- there is a disused gravel airstrip on the lefthand side off Bells Line of Rd just before it descends into Lithgow. Its easily spotted on Google Earth, bit from the road you have to see this in daylight because at night it is completely invisible from the road and I guarantee in the dark you'll drive straight past it without knowing unless you have an iPhone.

- Hassan's Walls, drive into the old part of Lithgow township, and follow the signposted road up the hill. Two or three excellent sites to choose from, though the local teenagers might be up there too if its a nice night :)

[maksutover]

Thanks for the info fellas!

[pvelez]

Great post - thanks.

What's the story re power at Cahill's lookout? I assume you mean that you can be near your car and so power the 'puter from the car battery. Or is there an ac power source to plug into? My guide camera only works if the lappy is plugged in.

Pete

[Wavytone]

Cahill's lookout is no good if you have a lot of gear and need power - it has a parking area on the side of the road with a line of stumps or logs stopping cars driving into the picnic area which has trees and is not good.

If you want power you'll have to either bring a motorcycle battery or else maybe setup beside the car.

On the occasions I was there I used to carry stuff down to the lookout - it's a concrete path maybe 50-100 metres max, dead straight with a few steps. At the end is a big concrete pad, very good horizons.

If you're going for a serious session with a pile of gear then I'd strongly suggest for Hargreaves at the end of Shipley Plateau, and I'll see you there. Its a half hour from Katoomba but its worth it at this time of year since it will be reasonably warm. Means I had better book dinner in Blackheath.

[pvelez]

sounds v tempting. Need a leave pass though.

Just bought the Orion autoguider (ie QHY5) so I can get by now without power.

Pete

[Wavytone]

Post here saying where you're going and I'll take a look late afternoon using my iPhone.

I should be in the upper mountains in the afternoon, will let you know if the weather looks iffy.

I've decided to aim for the Kings tableland location at the end of Hordern Rd as its good enough for what I have in mind, and 45 minutes closer for the drive home. I expect to be there between 9-9:30 pm - no earlier due to other commitments.

[pvelez]

sounds good - I was planning on heading out tomorrow as the weather looks iffy tonight.

Won't know till tomorrow arvo so don't bank on me.

Pete

[Wavytone]

7 pm and at Blackheath clear windy and hot 29 degrees. 9 pm the clouds rolled in and temp plunged to 15 degrees.

Should have guessed it was too good to be true.

[Wavytone]

Just curious - the 21st or 28th could be possible for me if the weather clears. Kings Tableland if it's average, or perhaps Hargraves if it looks like being a really stunning night.

[seeker372011]

folks why not come along to the WSAAG site at Linden observatory, Linden

ok maybe a bit of Penrith light pollution , but still dark enough to see the clouds and the coal sack and usually plenty of other folks, and so more sociable?

[Wavytone]

If the weather is reasonable I'm considering sites out of Blackheath, possibly Hargraves Lookout, anyone else interested in going that far up ?

Since the Virgo cluster is up im not stopping at Linden.