The light pollution from Katoomba is there, but not impossible. It's 'glow dome' is actually small. Also Adam's pics show that there was a lot of moisture in the air at the time too. More moisture makes the glow brighter and larger. Sydney's glow dome is larger in size, but at the eleveation we are it is not really brighter than that of Katoomba.
When we do get those dry evenings, the glow dome is very much smaller. M33 becomes a naked eye object and you can also make out various objects within the LMC apart from the Tarantula Nebula, and the LMC is always located close to the Katoomba glow dome.
This failed night for me will now make 12months straight of no New Moon Observing, except for the three hours I pinched in April. And wouldn't you know it, Sunday night was an absolute screamer!!! The last full night's observing I managed was at last year's IIS Astro Camp - fantastic event it was too, and I'm eagerly awaiting next year's.
The combustion heater in the office is one of the most precious items at the Airfield too,
. It is the most frequented place on those freezing nights,
