Hi all,
Rod has given the OK for us to make use of the Airfield on Saturday 2nd of November. I've started this thread as soon as I could to allow folks more time/chance to fit it in.
Last month was a disappointment. Logic told us all it was to be a bummer. The 'Nose' said, "nope, it'll be a ripper". The Nose won and we missed out,
. Except for Oleg and rocketboy - lucky sods...
While the weather is warming up, it still gets quite chilly up there at 1000m above sea level.
Weather permitting, I hope to get there before sunset. No set time to get there from - the Airfield is open all day and Rod's happy to have early arrivals. Just make yourself known to Rod. There's also no finishing time. That's upto you when you've had enough. But we are welcome to stay all night and even use the office building for some shut eye.
If you haven't been to the Airfield before, access is via Medlow Bath, the next village past Katoomba heading west. The map and pic below show the route there from Katoomba. Just note that the last 3km of Rutland St leading to the Airfield is unsealed and can have corrugations and erosion gullies cut into it, so take it easy. The surface was graded earlier this year, and it is still in good nick, but take it easy.
If this is your first time to the Airfield, once you enter through the gates, turn left at the fork in the road - there's no access to the set up area by going straight ahead. Head past the "No Entry" sign and turn right up the hill and past the various buildings up to the main runway where we set up on the left side concrete slab. This is seen in the second pic below.
If you have any questions, please ask. New to astronomy? You're most welcome to join us. Don't have a scope or feel your scope is too modest? Come along, and bring what you do have - You'll learn a heck of a lot on how to get the most out of the gear you do have and what different scope designs and sizes are capable of doing from what people do bring.
Hope to see you there,
Mental.
In light of the recent fires in the 'Mountains, I've spoken with Rod & we will be starting the session with a "Fire Fighters astro show'n'tell" as a way to say thanks for their efforts & as a bit of a distraction from their efforts. If you can come along with a scope it would be greatly appreciated as this is just a community "thank you". More details in post No. 23.
Blue Mountains - Katoomba Airfield, 2nd November: session for fire fighters!
. The Airfield itself is open all day. You can get there whenever you can really. Some folks get there early, have their dinner there (they bring their dinner with them as there's only gum leaves to eat at the Airfield) and set up at their leisure. Other's come well into the evening. It's all upto when you can make it.
can't beat a nice big gas giant for wow factor 
