I was going to suggest just heading back to Hargraves Lookout seeing as our other options have all fallen through and we all know this location well.
But looking on Google Earth it looks like there is a massive area at Mount Blackheath Lookout where Hang Gliders take off from. Is this suitable for us to set up from? It looks perfect.
I was going to suggest just heading back to Hargraves Lookout seeing as our other options have all fallen through and we all know this location well.
But looking on Google Earth it looks like there is a massive area at Mount Blackheath Lookout where Hang Gliders take off from. Is this suitable for us to set up from? It looks perfect.
That area is on a fairly steep decline. Maybe as much as 15 degrees. A tripod mounted setup might be able to work but our dob's wont.
I think we should still check out Mt Blackheath. It looks like it will be really dark. We just wont be looking north really. You'll have to setup in the car park.
Yeah a bit annoying its cloudy now considering how good the weather was all week. But yes should be a good night up in the mountains. Planning on getting there earlier than usual... around 7ish to scope the location out.
FYI for those who didn't come. It was a really good night. I personally met some new people. Including Jason who brought his first scope. A C11 (What a first scope!). Great conditions and great company as usual.
Lying down on the hang glider launch pad site and just staring up at the Milky Way was a lot of fun.
Lucky you didn't go to the Brown Town oval......I came past there last night and stopped in for a look in the dark.
The car lights going past would have been a PITA, but worse still were those awful vapour lighting issues coming from the RTA site.....it was really bad covering at least a 3rd of the sky to the naked eye, so it would have been worse if any astrophotography were to take place.....anyway , hope you guys had a great time
Nice one Adrian! How was the site...better than Hargrave's visually? How about the wildlife...friends or foes?
The road to get there is nicer. Those little bats are more active but they are a cute novelty. The view is limited of the north but south and west is good. Its a good site and we have all agreed to come back ---- with gym and yoga mats to lie on when we lie on the launch pads and watch the sky.
Would not want to be there in Winter though. We need that building at Hargraves.
It was a good clear night. I like this new site better. Id say its on par with Hargraves if you average out the pros on cons. Wildlife, bugs and bats is about the same as Hargraves, no big.
Definitely bringing mats and binos next time. Great view lying down.
It was a good clear night. I like this new site better. Id say its on par with Hargraves if you average out the pros on cons. Wildlife, bugs and bats is about the same as Hargraves, no big.
Definitely bringing mats and binos next time. Great view lying down.
FYI for those who didn't come. It was a really good night...Lying down on the hang glider launch pad site and just staring up at the Milky Way was a lot of fun.
Congratulations !
On the coast the sea breeze was howling at 15-20 knots all night and I was a tad curious how it was up there.
BTW... The big sloping area covered in AstroTurf is the paraglider launch. The hang gliders launch from a narrow steel runway further down at the end of the steps, right on the cliff edge - don't go near that in the dark as it's a sheer 100m drop below !!
Yep that's it Morton. Jason even set up his C11 just to the south of it. Most of us set up near those 2 paths leading to the left.
Wavy, there was no wind at all that night. Literally dead still. Light dew started to develop actually. Which was odd considering how warm it was. Polo shirt all night, even at 2:30 AM
hope you have a great night and look forward to your reports 
