Hi all,
What to bring?
* Warm clothing- it gets cold up there. The office has a combustion heater that will be lit for us. Just the walk from where the scopes are set up to the office & back is enough to get the blood moving again after being still at the eyepiece.
* Scope, and/or binos, or just your eyes. No gear is needed if you don't have any. Folks there are only too happy to show stuff through their scopes. Don't underestimate binoculars- I always take & use mine. There are some things in the sky actually better seen with binos. You will also be surprised to actually see galaxies with them. Binoculars make ideal 'rich field telescopes'. If you have a photo tripod, maybe get yourself a binocular-tripod adaptor if you pair has a thread for one. It makes things a little easier.
One reminder, the Airfield is totally BYO power.
* Food, thermos of hot drink, water, what ever to get you through.
Saddly I won't be able to make it this month, and Hickny won't be getting there before 7pm, so no signs this time. I'll try to negotiate some witches hats to guide folks to the set-up area.
If not, no problem- Once you enter the Airfield, turn left at the gate, follow the track to and past the "No Entry" sign. At the intersection with the offices & hangers, turn right & head up to the main runway. As you get past the line of trees & onto the airstrip, immediately to your left there is a concrete slab. This is where we set up (see pictures with the third post).
If seeing is exceptional, and getting too late to drive home safely, we are welcome to stay overnight in the main office building.
The recent rain has again begun to cause the 3km dirt road leading to the Airfield to erode in sections. Ease off the gas to avoid nasty jolts.
I've included a link to the Airfield's website:
http://www.katoombaairfield.com.au/index.html
Best I can manage this month is setting up in the backyard this Saturday night,
. Better than nothing, I guess. Need an observing buddy in Sydney's east this Saturday? Rob?
Next time I'm up there, I might bring an 8" dobbie for those of you who don't have a scope & would like to have a go of one. Anyone interested?