Could anyone suggest where I might get some red film to cover over the interior lights in my car? I mean, somewhere I can walk-in and buy it rather than mail order? It's either that or yank the fuse...
Backburning is the controlled burning of bushland to reduce fuel in bushfire prone areas. These burns though controlled, still can produce a lot if smoke haze that in turn affects seeing quality. The affect also depends on wind direction.
It is always a good idea to check this thread to see how conditions are tending if favourable or not for the session, be this for backburning or weather conditions. There are also several websites that can be checked for forecast reports, such as the BOM site, & a few others.
I'll post a couple of links & pics of the Airfield later tonight.
Dunk, as Adrian said, you can get red cellophane from newsagents & $2 shops.
* Live webcam at Scenic World at Katoomba. You can take control of the camera to pan across the landscape. Good site to help gauge the immediate conditions up there.
A couple of pictures of getting to the Airfield below too. The first is a map, with detail in heading west from Katoomba. The second is a pic of the Airfield and the track to follow to the set up area. On entering the Airfield, turn LEFT and head past the "No Entry" sign. Then turn right up the hill past the set of buildings. The set up slab is on the left next to the main runway.
Dunk, most newsagents have red cellophane for wrapping things. What I do is put some tissue paper over the lens first to diffuse and soften the light, then a couple of layers of red cellophane over that. A rubber band or tape will hold it it all together.
Is Katoomba AirField normally closed at night and need special permission for entering the field?
I think I'll go there to take some sky shots but do not want to be myself alone there just in case if it is dangerous to be there alone?
I'm hoping to get there around 5:30. The Airfield will be open all day, & the gate will be left open for us, so if you are early it won't be a problem. If you are early, just drop by the office to let Rod know you're there for the astro session. There are aircraft kept there, so it is polite to announce yourself if you are early.
Last edited by mental4astro; 03-09-2013 at 06:27 PM.
I'm know I'm always asking, but here's another question...
Anyone with experience of Synscan firmware updates going? I think mine is on 3.27 or earlier and I can't find my USB-serial converter...it's got to be in one of these boxes somewhere in the house of perpetual chaos
On those occasions when the Airfield isn't available, there are two other sites we use that can be also accessed at any time, Hargraves Lookout & Mt Blackheath Lookout. Both of these are accessed via Blackheath down the same road on the western side of the railway tracks. A fork in the road then diverts to each location.
Hargraves has a wider view of the sky than Mt Blackheath, but it is completely exposed to wind due to being on a spur, & is freaking freezing in winter. I'd say the coldest place in the entire Blue Mountains. The Eastern horizon of Mt Blackheath is limited due to the tree line, but it is much more protected. The setup area at Hargraves is also 25/30m from the parking area, and over soft gravel. At Mt Blackheath you setup where you park. One good thing about both sites is there are established fireplaces where you can safely light a campfire.
Two words of caution with both these sites: Roos are commonly found here, & real care needs to be exercised when driving through here between sunset & dawn when these animals are active. I nearly collected two of them last time I was at Mt Blackheath - scared two years out of me! The other is, while both areas are very remote, they are still public areas & it is always best to go with at least one mate.
This is why we value so much the opportunity that Rod affords us all with access to the Airfield - it's private land AND safe.
Good time now to remind folks that the hat gets passed around for the gift of a slab of beer for Rod. He doesn't ask us for any money for his goodwill - we have the Airfield to ourselves all night, with access to the office building to sleep in if we need a place to crash, & the combustion heater on those freezing cold nights. The gift is the least we can do to say thanks.
Dunk, sorry mate, I can't offer anything on your question. I'll leave that to someone who knows.
Just to let you know the following HR burns are planned in the next few days:-
Thursday - Friday :- Katoomba North approx. 50 hectares between Medlow Bath and North Katoomba. (sorry nothing more exact).
Friday - Saturday:- West street Katoomba 4 hectares
Both of these should be out by Saturday night but if we do not have any wind the smoke from the fires may linger around (last Saturdays burn at Glenbrook was still noticeable in the lower mountains on Monday).
In case anyone who hasn't been there before, we are welcome to stay overnight. There is no actual quitting time. It's all upto you when you've had enough. We are also welcome to crash in the office building for some shut eye. Sometimes this is the better option so not to drive fatigued.
and I can't find my USB-serial converter...it's got to be in one of these boxes somewhere in the house of perpetual chaos 
