Rod at the Airfield's given the ok for us to use it on Saturday 13th of April. Fingers crossed for a good, cloudless evening - we need the photon fix!
Access to the Airfield is via Medlow Bath. Head into Station Street and hang a left onto Rutland (also called Grand Canyon Rd). The Airfield is 4km from this intersection, with the last 3km being unsealed, and can have errosion damage. On entering the Airfield, turn left at the entrance and head past the "No Entry" sign, and turn right at the buildings to the main runway. We use the concrete slab on the left just before the runway proper. The picture below will help with the route through to the set up slab. The picture below shows the way to the slab on entering the Airfield.
We are welcome to stay overnight as there is plenty of space in the office building. Hmmm, being April, it might be time to fire up the combustion heater in the office - possibly the most popular place during winter,
The Airfield is a total BYO situation: your own power, food, water, etc. There are loos for the ladies and kids.
The Airfield enjoys a 1020m elevation, which does wonders for toning down the sky glow from Sydney. This is one of the highest observation places within reasonable distance from Sydney. And not being surrounded by farmland, and on the top of a rocky plateau, dew is very rarely a problem.
G’day folks. Haven’t posted in a million years, but if alright, I’ll come along to this. Might bring a couple of fellow newbies who are keen on learning about astrophotography too!
Geoff, I'd say Katoomba Airstrip is a 3.5 on the Bortle scale. Aside from the east (washed out badly by Sydney), overhead and to the west, clouds are dark but the zodiacal light is not easily discernable. On a really clear night after a thunderstorm it could make a good 3, but I haven't been so lucky there.
A bit further west, Hargraves lookout on Shipley Plateau IMHO is easily a good 3, possibly a 2 on some nights; the zodiacal light is easily seen there. Clouds are just black holes and on the western horizon you can see airglow. But the east is no better than 4 or 5 for the same reason as the airstrip.
On good nights, yes I'd say 3. M33 was a naked eye object, though easier to spot it's full extension with averted vision, but definitely there with direct vision. The LMC also shows a lot of structure, with distinct mottling of the Tarantula.
I also agree that Hargraves is darker, but, man, it is no where as comfortable as the Airfield in winter! Never been as cold as the night I went there mid winter. My bones ache with the thought of that night. Fantastic sky though.
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