Leyburn (QLD) 16th / 17th of March

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by astro_south

I haven't been out there since last September, but I am pretty sure there is no microwave. There is a gas stove if you need to heat things up.

I think it will be the local Leyburn burger bar might try a get some fruit on the way out there. See you later today

Bummer Steve, I'll catch up at the next Astrofest Qld I guess

regards,CS

[leo]

Hi guys,
This newb wonders what is the location? An old airstrip near there? map? I can't make it tonight but would like to be able to attend later in the year.
Leo

[glenc (Glen)]

See http://www.sas.org.au/

[dhumpie]

Hey Guys,

I should be out there Sat night as I have work and a meeting to attend on Fri Might be bringing a buddy with me (Rob and Andrew would have met him...John Zhu). Will probably bring my 10" GS, Orion ST80 and my 20x80LW. Hopefully the weather will be nice and transparent for all the DSO stuff I plan to do And it is a pity you can't make it Steve...oh well there is always next time. BTW Andrew you will have to jog my memory on this one...where is the turnoff into the site again? I remember there was some sort of signage...grand prix or something? That's so I don't go getting lost. If you can send me some of the relevant phone numbers such as Kev's or Peter's it would be great. PM me.

Anyway hope to see you all there. It has been a long time coming and I really need to take a break from my PhD...its driving me MAD!!!!!!

Darren

[CoombellKid]

Originally Posted by leo

Hi guys,
This newb wonders what is the location? An old airstrip near there? map? I can't make it tonight but would like to be able to attend later in the year.
Leo

It is a block of land surrounded by farmland, A map was post or link to it
in the first message of this thread. Apart from the odd tree it has fairly
clear horizons, if my memory serves me correct, but then again I thought
I remembered a microwave in the kitchen caravan apart from 2-3 light
domes on the horizon it has nice dark skies.

Darren, will be good to see you again, hope to see you there

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

The weekend weather is looking positive for friday and saturday

Darren, I'll have my mobile with me, but I dont think there is service
out there... I'll PM it to you just incase

regards,CS

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Darren

the turn off you are referring to is just on a slight rise after you have go through a gentle gully. The road starts to bend to the left, and on the left hand side you will see the brown and white sign pointing to the historic Australian Grand Prix site. Take that right hand turn, follow it all the way down until the end, then it is about 200 to 500 metres on the gravel to the gate near a big tree.

The contact numbers can be found on the SAS site - I think in the PDF I link to in the first post.

Looking forward to catching up with you tomorrow night.

[dhumpie]

Thanks guys. Looking forward to getting under dark skies as well

Darren

[glenc (Glen)]

We had a great weekend at Leyburn with two perfectly clear nights, no dew on Friday night and only slight dew Saturday night. There were 40 people there last night. I enjoyed looking through Andrew's 12.5", Kevin's 16" and William's 25". Also saw most of the Messier galaxies in Leo and Virgo with 20x80 binoculars. Peter told us about Comet Lovejoy.

[CoombellKid]

Yes a splendid weekend with fine company. Thank you to Andrew, Kevin and
William for sharing the views through their scopes, and Glen for the lift up to
leyburn.

Oh yeah and the General Store in Leyburn for their fine Works Burger!!! yum!!! yum!!!

regards,CS

[dhumpie]

Yeah it was a brilliant weekend with superb transparency skies...and with great company too Great meeting you Glen and it was good catching up with you Rob! And thanks Andrew for sharing your 12.5" for some memorable views and David for the tour of your neat obsevatory......looking forward to more Leyburn in the coming months!!!!

Darren