Hi folks,
Looks light we might be in luck for a January New Moon outing at Katoomba Airfield! We have the OK from Rod (the Airfield manager) for tomorrow night - thanks Rod!
My apology for such a last minute listing of this thread. We just needed to see what the weather was pitching at us for this coming Saturday as we all know how wishy-washy it has been. But things are finally looking good.
NOTE: Please look at this thread for any last minute cancellation of the session as the weather can still throw up some unexpected cloud. Last call for 'GO' will be made at 4pm on Saturday.
If you haven't been to the Airfield before, it is an informal gathering of other astro minded folks. You are welcome to join us, with a scope, or bino, or just your eyeballs. The hat gets passed around to pay for the gift of a slab of Rod's preferred brew.
There is no knock-off time other than when you've had enough. But we are welcome to stay overnight and can crash in the office.
The Airfield is totally BYO everything. There is no power there. There are loos for the ladies and kiddies (and for those who fear jumping funnel webs
).
Access to the Airfield: Access is via Medlow Bath, the first village west of Katoomba. At the only set of lights, turn into Station Street, and then left at Rutland (also called Grand Canyon Drive). The Airfield is 4km from this intersection, with the last 3km an unsealed road.
NOTE: This unsealed road can have rain erosion gouge nasty ruts into the road surface. Nothing a car can't handle, just drive with care and slow down.
On entering the Airfield, take the left hand track, pass through the 'No Entry' sign, and turn right up the hill and past the buildings to the set-up slab. There is no access to the set-up location by driving up the other two tracks at the Airfield entry. The photos below show the route to the Airfield and the location of the set-up slab. Last photo is just a still from a video - the 'play' icon does not work
Some NatSav systems call the Airfield 'Katoomba Airport'. Putting Katoomba Airfield into some NatSav systems can bring up 'no such location' message.
Though it is summer, still bring some warm clothing as it does get cool at night up there at 1000m above sea level. Any torch you bring should have red cellophane covering the lamp as white light is deleterious to dark adapted eyes. Or you might have a red light torch...
I am hoping to get there by 7:30pm. Hope to see you up there!
Alex.