Blue Mountains- July, Katoomba Airfield, Sat. 10'th

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Thanks again to Rod for allowing us onto Katoomba Airfield, this time for Saturday, 10'th of July.

As always, I can only TRY to make it before sunset!

I'll post directions and any instructions later tonight.

Cheers,

Mental.

[Ket]

12th of July is a Monday?

[mental4astro]

:poke: :doh: :rolleyes: :lol:

Thanks, Ket!

Corrections made.

For this July session, I'll see if Rod can have the combustion heater on again in the office. Last month, just the little walk to the office and back had the blood moving after being quietly still at the eyepiece. It was a boon for the kids who came.

And a great session it was last month too! Many old salts, and fresh blood too!:wink2: Have a read of last month's thread if you like.

I had strapped on a new dew zapping system to my scope for last June's session, and it worked! Hints of frost on the unprotected parts of the scope, like the truss poles, but the primary, secondary and eyepiece remainded dew and frost free considering they are all so exposed.

This July I hope to get some sketching done. I'm looking at what is offered for this month's Obs. Challenge and see what I can knock up. Hopefully at least two, maybe three.

Access to the Airfield is via Medlow Bath. Turn into Railway Pde at Medlow's only traffic lights. Head down to and left into Rutland (also called Grand Canyon Rd). The Airfield is 4km from this intersection, with the last 3km a dirt road. Note: the recent heavy rain may have degraded the last 1km of the road, so take it easy.

When you come into the airfield, turn left and go through the 'no entry' sign. You will come to an intersection with the hangers and other smaller buildings- turn right and head on up to the main airstrip. The are a couple of concrete platforms there were we set up on, with the main one we set-up on just to the left. If, IF I get there before sunset, I'll look to put up a couple of signs at the Airfield.


Reminder that it is BYO power. We are also welcome to stay overnight in the office building which is carpeted. Not a little structure either, and with its lounges, will accomodate many people.

See you there,

Mental.

[dulwich.hill]

Hey mental,

I would love to be there again this month, but I will be away that weekend. Definitely keen on August though.

Cheers

James

[ArcaneMagik]

I would love to try and come out. I have been dying to get my new scope out to a dark sky. I might even drag some friends if they are willing to brave the cold.

I will say nothing of the weather.

Wow... if I come this would be my first real astronomy outing.

[sasup]

ill try to be there. got to try the new eye pieces

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Just waiting on a call back from the Airfield, today Friday morning, on the local forecast for tomorrow.

From what I can gather, 50/50 chance of being good. Just have to wait and see.

Cheers,

Alex.

[Steffen]

Fingers crossed. I could use a good night at a dark site :astron:

Cheers
Steffen.

[Wavytone]

Might come for a look - assuming it's reasonable weather-wise, what time do you think you'll be set up, Alex ?

[ArcaneMagik]

Based on the current weather, and the nail in my tyre, I doubt I will be able to make it tomorrow. But I will keep an eye out for the next katoomba night.

[mental4astro]

Not looking good at the moment, :(.

Wavy, if I do make it I'll be aiming for a pre-sunset arrival.

Now I've also got my fourth cold for the year! Damn sick of being sick. My better half is a school teacher- she gets crook, she's got a tickle in the throat, next day like nothing had happened, :mad2:.

I reckon I'll be getting a knock on the door soon from the Fed's as I'm going through the psuedoephadrine like a speed lab!

[mithrandir]

I'm in the same boat with a teacher in the house, except the better half's cold has been going on for about 5 weeks. And that's after the whooping cough she got off the students last year. We've had a most enjoyable week's holiday - taking turns coughing to keep the other awake.

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Saddly conditions are bleak up there now and not set to improve for tonight. Rod has told me they have been having showers on and off during the evening, and he can't see a good enough improvement for a session for us.

We'll have a try for next month, August, probably Saturday the 7'th.

I hope this post reaches all interested parties who had planned to make it up there tonight. I wouldn't like to see the good astro folk waste their efforts today.

Cheers,

Mental.

[lacad01]

Thanks for the update Alex, think I'll spend the time processing some terrestrial shots I've taken recently :)

[Ket]

Shame about the weather. Still looking forward to taking my scope out for the first time at a dark site and getting some lessons from the pros about EP's heheeh :)

Fingers crossed weather is good for August, 7'th.