Hi all,
Here starts another year of chasing gaps in the clouds!
Katoomba Airfield has been made available to us for Saturday 5'th of February. Thanks Rod!
For those who have not been here before, and would like to join us, access is via Medlow Bath. Turn into Railway Pde at the only traffic lights at Medlow Bath. Follow it to and turn into Rutland St (also called Grand Canyon Rd). From here the entrance to the Airfield is 4km, with the last 3km being an unsealed road. Just take it easy on this unsealed road as rain can erode channels into it.
On entering the Airfield, turn left and follow the track past the 'No Entry' sign, then turn right at the intersection and head up the slope. We set-up on the north-south runway on a concrete slab just to the left on getting to it.
Facilities are basic. Though there are loos, it is BYO everything else, and there is no power. If the night is particularly good, we are welcome to stay overnight in the office building. Carpeted floors and plenty of sofas to crash-out on.
Rod doesn't ask for a fee, but for a case of his preferred brew. To this, the cost of it is shared amungst the attendies. The more that attend, the cheaper it gets for all of us,
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Got a scope? Bring it! What ever its size, we ALL gain from every scope.
Only got binoculars? Great, bring it! You WILL be amazed at how good binos are.
Don't have a scope? Come along too! These get-togethers are a fantastic way to see all types and sizes of scopes. You can see first hand what each scope is capable of, how easy or complex they are to set up, and the accessories that are available.
If you've never been to a Star Party, torch light is the only light! BUT, it MUST be a red-light torch while the Party is in session. Red light causes the least amount of disturbance to dark adapted eyes. Covering the torch with two or three layers of red cellophane is perfect!
Bring a white-light torch too, but its use needs to be carefully considered so not to cause disturbance to everyone else.
I've included a few pics from one of our last sessions. The first is a look north, and where we set-up. The second is to the south. As you can see, parking is no problem. The third is of some of the scopes that where set-up that night - clouds had set in, so no-one was put off by the camera's flash! I wouldn't be writing this otherwise,
, rather, lying somewhere in the scrub, pushing up daisies,
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Special note: mozzies are around, so if you do bring any type of personal insect repellant in the aerosole form, please, please, please, do not apply it anywhere near the scopes! Aerosoles and scopes DO NOT mix!
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. I've got a list, the scopes have been primed, eyepieces cleaned, thermos of coffee poised for action, and I'm chaffing at the bit, 
. Hey, I've been allowed out of the house, I'm not going to let a little cloud stop me!
