Blue Mountains- August @ Katoomba Airfield

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Katoomba Airfield is open to us for Saturday 7'th of August, thanks Rod.

Last month was a no-go due to rain, so I sure I won't be the only one needing an Astro-fix, big-time!

I'll be looking to get there before 5pm.

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.

The Airfield is totally BYO everything. Power, lighting, food, drink, dreams,... We are welcome to stay overnight in the office block. I see if Rod can have its combustion heater on again for us on the night.

Remember that it does get cold up there.

Mental.

[hickny]

I'll be there weather permitting with Tantalus. It'll be the first :astron: outing at a dark site since the rebuild.

In order to protect my freezing :cold: toes this time I'll not wear the steel capped boots.

Hopefull the slow :campfire: combustion heater will be alight in the office.

[sasup]

ill be there with my new heated socks:eyepop:

[dulwich.hill]

Hi mental,

I am keen to come again. If the weather's good - I'll be there. I may even be able to convince some younger astronomers in my family too.

See you there with ski a jacket and thermals...

James

[ArcaneMagik]

Not saying anything about the weather, but it looks like me and a friend will be coming.

This will be my first dark site with my 12". Looking forward to it.

[WilliamAPorter]

hey would you have room for a "noob" to come along and check out what happens. Ill see if i can convince the Girl to let me go and mabye i can convince her to come aswell.

[Chancellor]

Speaking as Craigs above mentioned friend, looking forward to it.

William, I have not been around for long, but I am sure everyone is more than welcome.

[Wavytone]

All set to come... should be a good night if the clouds clear off.

[Steffen]

It looks like the clouds could be a bit of an issue, but being there is the only way to find out :)

Cheers
Steffen.

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Everyone is welcome! :hi: :welcome:

The more the merrier.

Just one note, tomorrow the Airfield won't be open before 4pm. I've been given authority to open the Airfield, so I will do everything I can to be there for just after 4.

And I'll get the combustion heater going too!

Remember, it will get cold up there. Steel-capped boots probably not a good idea, eh Hickny! Mmm, where's my thermos & matches?

[hickny]

I've been given a leave pass and will be there. The steel :cold:capped boots are staying at home. With the slow combustion:campfire:heater burning it'll be possible to stay overnight.

[mental4astro]

We had a good two hours after sunset until clouds rolled in. So annoying! These two hours were truly spectacular though. Probably the best seeing we had.

Nine people came, with eight scopes.

I've added a few pics of the Airfield runway we set up on, and a pic of the set-up scopes during a "wait and see" moment when the clouds first appeared. The 'runway' pic with the scope in it is to the east, the other to the west.