Blue Mountains, Katoomba Airfield, December

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Weather permitting, I'll be at the Airfield on the 12'th of December, :D:stargaze:.

I had hoped to be able to make the 19'th for Katoomba, but circumstances don't allow me. The Odyssey will also be decomissioned by then to make way for its recomissioning as a truss scope, hopefully early next year, :astron::cool:.

Unless one of the usual suspects can make the 19'th, I'm limited to the 12'th.

I could be staying overnight to make the most before moonrise, :thumbsup:.

As always, welcome to join me.

Mental

[Manav]

Hi Alex,

Just wondering what kind of provisions if any are available at the airfield?

TC

[En1gma]

$5 pitch in for a case of beer :)

I'll be there Alex. Permitting weather though

Rob.

[mental4astro]

BYO power- scope if you can manage it, or come for a squiz.

If staying over, we are able to use the meeting room which is carpeted, to crash in. The place runs on generator power, so a torch is necessary. No power, no roos, haven't experienced mozzies there either... yet. Just a very big sky and clean air.

And a reminder, the sealed road surface of Rutland Rd, which is the road the Airfield is on, is only sealed for its 1'st km. The last three is a dirt road, the last km of which NEEDS to be taken slowly or you will leave an axle, drive train, engine, whatever, behind.

[Manav]

I'll be using Navman to get me there, lets just hope the weather remains clean this time around.

[eclipse]

Weather permitting we would like to come to the airfield, providing there is room. We are self contained, in a motorhome, fitted out with red lights, and would like, if possible to overnight there. I am assuming that the road in is not too bad providing one goes slowly.

[mental4astro]

I should take a few pics of the Airfield. Room is certainly no problem: The longer of the two strips is about 1000m long, the shorter one 800mm. Their width is roughly 80m from tree side to tree side. Quite a sight at sunset with just one end of the strips lit up as they run roughly east-west.

I'll let Rod know what to expect.

Take it slow and it's alright. It is a dirt road, not a 4X4 fire trail, just could do with a grader go over it.

I would not be too surprised if it is not improved in the near future as it is now the main airfield for aircraft during bush fires in the Blue Mountains. So far Elvis has not paid us a visit the nights we've been there.

As always, the hat gets passed around for 'the ususal tariff' of a case of Tooey's Old.

[mental4astro]

Spoke to Rod- motor home? No problem.

Gee, he is such a good bloke. A true gentleman.

[eclipse]

Thanks for information, am looking forwards to it. What time do you anticipate being there ?

[mental4astro]

I hope to be there around 7pm, for sunset. Set up with some daylight, and allow cool down for the scope while the sky darkens. Maybe a coffee, or two, or three...

[Wavytone]

Cleared to go, weather permitting :)

[mental4astro]

Little up date, I'll probably be there soon after 7:30.

See ya.

[eclipse]

Ok, we will see you then, weather seems promising.

[mental4astro]

For first timers at the Airfield, on entering the property veer to the left and go past the "No Entry" sign. From there there is an intersection- veer to the right to the main runway. There is a series of concrete pads where we set up on.

[lacad01]

I'm 50/50 at this point...currently stuck at work and mrs has the car in the afternoon. If anything may be there 8:30 :shrug:
Looked at the Katoomba skycam and looks very promising:
http://www.scenicworld.com.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=44

[Manav]

I'm heading out shortly....

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Just a short report on last night's session at the Airfield.

Spectacular is the best way to describe the sky. Cloudless, with a gental breeze. First time I was able to see the Tarantula by naked eye! I saw three fireballs along with countless meteors, along with more than a dozen satellites.

There are mozzies there, along with March Flies. The flies disappeared with the coming of the night, and the mozzies where held at bay with a squadron of tiny bats fluttering and chattering around us. Felt the beat of the wings of one pass my eyes and caught a glimpse of it. Spooked me something horried.

We had a crowd of 7 all up. Refractors and Newts where the order of the night.

Great to see how helpful and enthusiatic everyone is. Very enjoyable company.

My observing involved chasing down a few old faithfuls plus several that have been on my 'wish list' for some time.

M1 was more than just a faint smear. It had hints of streakiness and a blueish tinge to it.

M33 was a surprise. It is a big sucker, but oh so faint with a slightly brighter core.

M74 proved brighter and easier to see.

The Flame Nebula, part of the Horsehead complex, was a surprise to see. Dark filaments sillueted against a puff of smoke. Best viewed through my 17.5" with lamda orion kept out of the field of view. No luck in spotting the Horsehead though. I didn't have a nebular filter of any kind last night.

It was my first chance to take my time viewing M42 with my big dobbie. WOW.

Cheers to Les and Debbie, Nick, Rob, Yugant and his wife.

Until next time,

Mental.

[shane]

Sounds like a fun night.
When is the next session?

Cheers, Shane

[mental4astro]

I expect the next session would be around the January New Moon.

Hickny & I might do a final bash in Sydney's Randwick Girls' High this Sunday 20'th December. To be confirmed.

[lacad01]

Sounds like it was a great night, unfortunately I couldn't get away but if you guys head out to RGHS I should hopefully be able to make it :)

[AG Hybrid]

Hi Alex,

GAH!!! I should pay more attention here. I would have turned up. I went with you to Katoomba Airfield was it....last November, maybe late october:shrug: on that freezing night. Think my dad and I cursed the weather that night too since it was our first dark sight viewing haha. :lol:
Think we had 4 scopes? 2 Dobs were yours if I remember.

The viewing is so good up there im surprised wsaag doesnt go there at least once a month.

lll be sure to see you there in December, or before that if you turn upto Linden :)

[En1gma]

Adrian,

I was wondering wher you were :)

anywho, last sat was great. Seeing was probably the best in 3-4 months and no dew this time!!

See you next time and I'll pm you my details

cheers
rob

[AG Hybrid]

Buggar LOL!

Actualy I know the viewing was good, because believe it or not, I had my telescope out and was viewing in my backyard that night :lol:! Was no dew even at Toongabbie's altitude.