Blue Mountains- Katoomba Airfield Sat. 6th November

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Katoomba Airfield has been made available to us for Saturday 6'th of November.

Circumstances didn't allow for an October session to be organised.

November will see much warmer conditions for us, YIPEEE! Shouldn't need to call upon the combustion heater until next winter.

Last year's spring/summer sessions also saw sqadrons of insectiverous bats help keep mozzies away. I got one heck of a fright the first time one of these miniature flying aces flew millimeters from my nose, for me to freak at the shadow and puff of air infront of my eyes!

As always, this site is purely BYO everything.

For those unfamiliar with the place, access is via Medlow Bath.

Note that the last 3km leading to the Airfield is an unsealed road, and despite it having been re-graded earlier this year, this winter's heavy rain has caused some erosion, so take it easy.

Also, the office building is available to us to stay overnight. Kids are welcome too, though loo facilities require torch light, otherwise its a stroll to the otherside of the airstrip...

Everyone is welcome. Scope, no scope, no problem. Binoculars are fantastic if that is all you have- you'll be astounded what is within the range of binoculars.

With sunset being around 7pm, I'll try to be there around 6, 6:30.

Mental.

[sasup]

ok see ya in Nov. going to pony club to play with ricks new 14" scope (had to qualify that)

[En1gma]

I'll be there Alex.

In my diary now

[mental4astro]

Be great to see you again, Rob. Stacey, from your post I can't make out if you are going to Katoomba or the Pony Club? :shrug: Do you have a twin?

Here are a couple of pics of the Airfield where we set up. The pic with the scopes in it look East, with the end of the runway over 1km away, the other pic looks West with the runway extending another 400m. The last pic shows some of the scopes that were set up in June this year.

Don't have a scope? Let me know and I may be able to bring an 8" dob as a loaner for the night. If no interest I'll leave it at home.

[sasup]

Nov pony and DEC blue mountains. Here a photo of the maybe full go-to LB. Still a bit of wiring to finish, but she works.

[Steffen]

Wow, you sure pimped that dob! :D

Cheers
Steffen.

[FlighHigh]

Time and weather permitting I'll be there.


Glen

[eclipse]

If the weather is good we plan to be there again. Les and Deb.

[dulwich.hill]

Hi Alex,

My son and I plan to be there with the "canon" refractor - can't wait to see Jupiter!

James

[Ket]

If the weather is good, ill be there with my scope. Might have a few tag alongs new to astronomy

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

I intend to come along, my first time.

At present I think I would sleep on site. Any tips about that?

Cheers

[mental4astro]

Hi Geoff,

Mate, the Airfield's office building is open to us to stay overnight. It is carpeted and there are various sofas. A sleeping bag is a good idea.

If things get cold, there is a combustion heater there too. But no power or gas to boil water. Either bring a thermos or camping stove for a hot tea.

I've been photon starved for so long, I may well be staying overnight too if it is a good night.

[GeoffW1]

Forecast not encouraging *sigh*

Just when I decide to venture outdoors *grumble*

[Sylvain]

yep the weather isn't looking fantastic :(

[Ket]

x fingers crossed x the weather holds up. Its my first time too

[En1gma]

Hey hung, good to see your interested.

How is the dob going?

Ps alex. It has come to the point that i debating on hiking it up to katoomba anyway just to 'get out' regardless of the weather.

Rob

[mental4astro]

I hear you, brother, ;). Me too. Secret men's business.

[eclipse]

Unfortunately we will not be able to come this month, although from the state of the weather will not be missing much! Hopefully see you all next month.

Les and Deb

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

I've spoken with Rod, and there looks like a slight chance of a session tomorrow night.

Keep an eye open here for further news in yeah or neah.

If there are any concerns, my number is:

0410 678 730

Mental.

[En1gma]

According to weatherzone for Katoomba - Forcast states mostly cloudy with a 7% chance of rain from 9pm - then clearing up between then and 12am to Mostly Clear.

I am seriously willing to take a punt at heading up tomorrow, Even if we get "peep" holes

Regards,
Rob

[Steffen]

The SkippySky and esp APanel forecasts have improved quite a bit since yesterday, so I'll be there. With the slim pickings of late (and likely to come) I'd hate to miss a good night because of gloomy forecasts. Gotta be in it to win it ;)

Cheers
Steffen.

[mental4astro]

A few of us are heading up. If still overcast, we'll meet 'round 7:30 at "The Grand Olive", 5/38 Station St, Wentworth Falls for pizza to wait out the cloud before we hit the Airfield!

My phone number is noted in my previous post.

[GeoffW1]

Hi,

Too iffy for me, I will wimp out and aim for next time.

Cheers

[FlighHigh]

Sorry guys but I wont be able to come tonight. :(



Cheers
Glen

[Sylvain]

Sorry guys, I won't be able to make it tonight :(
Next month let's hope we'll get a better forecast!
Can't wait to do a bit a real deep sky with my mak...from Sydney there's not much to look at.

Wishing you all clear skies!
Cheers,
Sylvain

[Ket]

Wont be making the trip up :( weather is not that great

[Wavytone]

Hi all,

While you're listening to the sound of drizzle I've managed to reach Shangri La and had a good lpok at the northern sky from the hotel roof (it has an observing platform). At 3,600 metres altitude (not feet !), the town had a nice habit of turning the lights off at 1 am.

With killer skies yesterday and today i managed a few astrophotos with my LX5... even some of the Andromeda Galaxy and Polaris of course... More for the memory than as serious astrophotos...

See y'all at Katoomba next month, i guess.

[Sylvain]

Any luck yesterday night guys?

[mental4astro]

Alas, no good. We tried.

We met up at The Grand Olive for dinner and shop talk, then after a good hour headed to Medlow Bath train station to monitor the weather. Very thick fog.

The weather didn't improve by the time we left at 11:30pm. By the time I got home at 1am, some breaks appeared towards the south, and cleared by 3am, but too knackered and too late with dawn appearing.

Lets see next month.

Great to be able to spend some good time not at the eyepiece with good company and talk!

We'll see about doing something this coming Friday or weekend here in Sydney maybe.