Well I for one am not going to SPSP... due to other commitments.
However if the weather is passable on Saturday 16 May and/or 23rd May I will set up at Kings Tableland. Will be carrying iPhone so can confirm if I'm there.
Driving out of Sydney, take GWH up the moutains. After Bullaburra and before Wentworth Falls there is a sharp left - marked Kings Tableland with a very big sign - note you really must slow down as this is a tight corner.
Proceed south down Tableland Rd, turn right at Hordern Rd, then at the end turn left (south) into "Little Switzerland Dr" (it's actually a dirt track with no sign). In the attached image there is a nice big sandstone outcrop to set up on, overlooking the valley. In the screenshot this is left of the "z" in "Switzerland" and the lat/long coordinates of the slab are those at the bottom of the frame.
Unpowered scopes can be set up on the slab, away from sand (nice for dobs). If your scope need power from the car there's room for 2-3 cars and scopes at the fence. Or you can go a few yards further to the south end of the road.
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On a side note, depending on several factors starting with wind, the temperature and motivation, the other site I use is Hargraves Lookout on Shipley Plateau but that's another 40 minutes further up. At this time of year though its a very cold place if there is any wind.
The third site I'll mention is Mt Banks on Bells Line of Rd, on the north side of the Grose valley. It's years since I've been there at night but it should still be OK, the carparks are still accessible. Banks has the advantage that with no significant towns to the north or west it can be very dark if you are interested in galaxies visually.
Thanks for the invite. Can't see any attached image, but sounds good. If conditions are good then I might take a drive out there to check it out. Also been thinking of checking out the Linden site. Have you been there, or know how they compare?
Linden - OK I suppose if you want to join the queue for the scope there, but the sky is a lot brighter than at the Kings Tableland site, and I'm bringing my own gear for a spot of casual visual observing, nothing too serious.
It's a compromise between how far you want to drive vs dark sky, especially if you have family on board whose tolerance for the long drive is limited.
Hargraves is a LOT better (as dark as Wiruna IMHO and 90 minutes closer), but also bloody cold this time of year.
Thanks for the info. I would be taking my own scope, so am more interested in the better observing site. Not looking for a big crowd, but it's nice to have a few others to share the experience with.
I won't decide until Saturday, but I'll certainly keep it in mind.
Can I make another suggestion for a location for this saturday?
Hargraves Lookout and Mt Banks both face south.
Govetts Leap at Blackheath faces north, just a further five min from Hargraves Lookout. I've taken scopes out there, plenty of parking and very close to good food before the long night's viewing.
Just a suggestion to consider for the previeling winds.
Mmm... i'd say Hargraves looks west (faces Jenolan) but who cares... You're sure you're thinking of Govetts Leap, or not the Mt Bleackheath or Mt York lookouts ? Last time I was at Govetts I found there was a big fat streetlight smack in the middle.
The other thing is I prefer a slight breeze not dead calm, as it keeps the dew off the corrector plate - I don't use heaters. And if its so windy as to be unpleasant I won't set up anyway as the seeing will be lousy.
Evans lookout is dark but it means carrying scopes a distance. Going out on Hat Hill Rd there is plenty of open space once you get past the houses, the only snag is I have had a few curious passers by. Another thought is the airstrip at Medlow Bath, you'll see it easily on Google Earth.
Dunno. Perhaps meet up at the pub on the corner of the GWH first and decide from there.
I tracked down the owner of the Katoomba Airstrip (also called Katoomba Airfield), there at Medlow Bath, and spoke to Rod.
I mentioned what we have in mind, and was most gracious to allow a Star Party to happen the on the property. He mentioned that there is a clear patch next to the hangers which would suit our needs.
A most affable chap. I am most impressed, being such short notice.
I left it that I'd call him Saturday for a weather report, our plans and a final go-ahead.
Hope this is suitable.
Mental
Last edited by mental4astro; 20-05-2009 at 01:27 PM.
Reason: further details
The airstrip is clearly a goer then - several clear areas not far from the hangars and its just low scrub so if they're happy that's fine. The only doubt i have is that it is between Katoomba and Blackheath and will cop the light pollution from both if the air is the slightest bit moist.
I've tried observing on GlenRaphael Drive (along the ridge south of Katoomba off Cliff Drive) and found Katoomba is a bad source of light pollution.
At Govetts leap there is a grassy area up a few steps from the tarred carpark, but the whole area is surrounded by trees which means the horizon is no good. I visited at night a few years ago and gave it the thumbs down for that and fog which it is prone to thanks to the waterfalls - and I'm 99% sure it has a streetlight too.
Forecast is not looking great, although it is supposed to start clearing up on Saturday (afternoon I think). Will have to see how that goes, but I am a chance as well! Meeting at a pub sounds like a good idea.
