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  #1  
Old 21-09-2012, 12:03 PM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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Blue Mountains, Katoomba Airfield Oct 13th

Hi all,

The Airfield is being made available to us on Saturday October 13. Many thanks Rod.

I am so very photon withdrawn at the moment, . My nervous tick is rampant, rashes are appearing, I can't sleep and I start crying every time I walk past my scopes. One night I found myself setting up a scope in my kids room hallucinating that the glow in the dark stars painted on the ceiling of their room was a clear sky! Not good.

The Airfield sits some 1000m above sea level, and it is surprising how reduced the Sydney sky glow is due to this elevation.

Like to come? Please do. Scope or no scope, it doesn't matter, your enthusiasm is enough. There are plenty of scopes present, and plenty of helpful folks. The Airfield though is totally BYO power, food, water, etc. There are loos for ladies and kids, and we are welcome to stay overnight. We can also sleep in the main office building where there also is a combustion heater that is fired up when it is very cold up the during the evening.

If you haven't been to the Airfield before, access is via Medlow Bath. A google search will find it easily. One note, the road leading to the Airfield is 4km, of which the last 3km is unsealed and can have some erosion damage due to rain - take it easy.

On entering the Airfield's gate, turn LEFT and go past the "no entry" sign, and then turn right up past the various buildings to the main runway and the concrete slab we set up on. The picture below will give you some guidance.

Last note, if you are unfamiliar with Star Parties, please make sure that your torch/s are covered with red celophane, as red light causes the least amount to disruption to night vision.

I hope to make it there before sunset. There is no "quitting time", other than when you've had enough!

Hope to see you there.

Mental.
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  #2  
Old 23-09-2012, 09:43 PM
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AG Hybrid (Adrian)
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See you there.
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  #3  
Old 24-09-2012, 12:53 AM
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ourkind (Carlos)
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Tentative ... but I will let you know closer to the date
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Old 24-09-2012, 08:01 AM
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Yep, it's in my diary. Thanks Alex.
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Old 02-10-2012, 05:22 PM
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Likewise added to diary, here's hoping for a clear night
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Old 09-10-2012, 08:19 AM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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Weather is looking 50/50 for Saturday night. I guess only closer to the date will be necessary. Even on the day I'll check with Rod at the Airfield for his thoughts as so far the forecast, depending on where you look, tends to a clear Saturday night or overcast,
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Old 10-10-2012, 08:15 AM
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:-( again.......
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Old 10-10-2012, 09:39 AM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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I'm keeping my options open to the last minute. If there's a chance it's clearing I may well head up.

If stuffed, I'll be fishing at Coogee Beach that night.
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Old 10-10-2012, 01:39 PM
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Just checked - unless the weather runs later than predicted, should be OK. A bit wet underfoot, that's all. I'm planning to come.
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Old 10-10-2012, 02:14 PM
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Great! Will be good catch up with you Eric.

A couple of years back we arrived at Wentworth Falls for dinner before heading to the Airfield when the grand-daddy of all storms hit! We couldn't see across the street the rainfall has so intense. We finished dinner and the rain was just barely a light drizzle. We stopped at the Katoomba Hotel for a drink as I had a feeling things were changing. Half an hour later, we had one of the clearest nights up at the Mountains! The concrete slab we set up on is a real bonus too for this eventuallity.

For those who would like to come but don't have a telescope, I can bring along a second one with me. Just let me know if you'd like to use it or it'll just stay home.

Last edited by mental4astro; 10-10-2012 at 02:25 PM.
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  #11  
Old 10-10-2012, 04:03 PM
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Hey guys, I have been thinking about this all week and I might come along (dependant on the weather). Adam mentioned to me last weekend in my introduction post (in the beginners astrophotography forum) that he was bringing out his Vixen Polarie and I wouldn’t mind checking that out. Also I am just really keen to get under a dark, moonless sky and take a couple shots with my wide angle lens on my 60D. I was hoping the remote shutter I bought off ebay would arrive this week so I could use it but it hasn’t arrived yet

So can I be put down as tentative for now and I will confirm on the day? (once we know if the weather will be good).

Cheers,

Jason
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Old 11-10-2012, 01:53 PM
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Forecast is now for "mostly clear" to "clear" 9pm to sunrise! Last rain - showers at 4pm
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  #13  
Old 11-10-2012, 07:39 PM
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Fingers crossed
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  #14  
Old 12-10-2012, 03:39 AM
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In-laws have sprung up out nowhere for the weekend

Clear skies guys.
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  #15  
Old 12-10-2012, 10:43 AM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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Sofruta de los suegros, Carlos.

It's gonna be cold I reckon if we go, The combustion heater is gonna be a popular meeting spot!
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  #16  
Old 12-10-2012, 10:54 AM
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Don't mind the cold as long as it's a clear night & no dew
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  #17  
Old 12-10-2012, 11:12 AM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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Just spoke with Rod, says there's 4" of snow up there & it's still snowing! He's been there for 10 years and has never seen it that deep in all this time.
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Old 12-10-2012, 11:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mental4astro View Post
Just spoke with Rod, says there's 4" of snow up there & it's still snowing! He's been there for 10 years and has never seen it that deep in all this time.
OK thats bad!
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  #19  
Old 12-10-2012, 12:44 PM
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Yep, Earl is currently stuck at Mt Tomah on his way here to pick up the C8, says the roads are blocked and the snow is deep!
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  #20  
Old 12-10-2012, 01:23 PM
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Incredible. All this rain and snow must be my fault because all I wanted was to get back into the hobby. It's always the way! Show an interest and in come the clouds! Sorry guys my bad! Or maybe its Earl's fault for buying your scope?!
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