Blue Mountains- September

mental4astro (Alexander) · #1 04-09-2009, 04:49 PM

Hi all,

The Katoomba Airfield is available again to us for a session on the 19'th of September.

Last month was the first time we got to use it, and a great site it is. Sydney's sky glow is to the east-sou-east, and does not extend too high up. Anything that low anyway is not much chop.

We setup on the concrete slab infront of one of the hangers, which restricted our view to the south a little. May set up next time a little further down on the airstrip itself.

The site is well protected from strong wind by the surrounding trees, but allows for a good breeze to keep dew at bay.

Hope to see you there,

Mental

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #2 04-09-2009, 06:17 PM

interesting;is there power available or is that to much to hope for?

mental4astro (Alexander) · #3 05-09-2009, 12:59 AM

BYO power, but no harm in asking. Might need to bring your own leads. There was a generator going last time. I'll ask.

cookie8 (Vincent) · #4 05-09-2009, 08:39 AM

That's interesting. Only an hr drive for me. My car's battery can power the gear. Can the car go near the slab?

Wavytone · #5 05-09-2009, 10:57 AM

Cookie its definitely BYO power. The generator is way too far from the slab to be any use, let alone down the airstrip.

As mental said, the slab was OK - the hangar is a useful windbreak although it hides a fair chunk of sky.

I drove down the airstrip last time, it will be fine provided the wind is light. We should look for a firm clay area - there are some sandy (dusty) areas which are a disaster with telescopes.

hickny (Peter) · #6 05-09-2009, 01:41 PM

I'm at a conference that weekend so unfortunately cannot make it.

lacad01 (Adam) · #7 06-09-2009, 05:28 PM

Fingers crossed I may be able to make it. Can confirm closer to the date.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #8 06-09-2009, 09:36 PM

Like Wavy said, BYO power.

One more thing, to thank the owner of the airfield, a slab of his prefered poison is on the cards. The sinking fund will need to be fed. He has asked nothing from us, so it is the least we can do,

.

Wavytone · #9 07-09-2009, 10:11 PM

Mental just checking calendars... I'm committed to attend a conference too, same night.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #10 08-09-2009, 09:28 AM

Only thing keeping me from attending is, rain,

.

See you there.

See you next time Hickny & Wavy.

csastro25 · #11 09-09-2009, 10:18 PM

Hi mental,

My name is claudio, member of WSAAG.. Was wondering if its ok for me to come along to see and maybe setup up a scope...? It will great to see other members from other clubs around aswell.

Also for people wishing to observe, we have an observing night at linden this weekend. anyone and everyone is more than welcome to come along, also may want to join our little club, if not already in one, or just come along and have a great time and nite for viewing.

Thanks again mental and hope to see you on 19th at katoomba.

claude

mental4astro (Alexander) · #12 10-09-2009, 06:38 AM

Claudio, do you know the secret handshake? Failing that just come along, we are all mates.

Bring your scope for sure. Bring two if you like. Upto you.

Thanks for the invite to Linden. I cannot make it this weekend. I hope you get a good turn out & clear skies.

Look forward to meeting you,

Mental.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #13 18-09-2009, 08:52 PM

I'll give the airfield a call around lunch time to see what the weather is doing.

Aint much good right now. Nearly blown off my feet at Bondi Beach tonight.

cookie8 (Vincent) · #14 18-09-2009, 09:18 PM

Would love to come but afterall unable to make it this time.....

All the best guys forecast looking good.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #15 19-09-2009, 11:34 AM

All good for tonight at the Katoomba Airfield. 'Wall to wall blue skies' was the description,

.

Hope to see you here,

.

Mental.

lacad01 (Adam) · #16 19-09-2009, 11:35 AM

All the best guys, I had a double booking so can't make it

mithrandir (Andrew) · #17 19-09-2009, 01:52 PM

What's the 3G reception like there? I'm on-call and can't be out of touch.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #18 20-09-2009, 08:06 PM

Hi Andrew, sorry I didn't see your entry sooner. This is the first time I'm on since my last posting yesterday.

Funny enough, my 3G reception there last night was just fine.

I'm now looking at staying overnight there as the dark of the night from 10pm to 2am is as dark as the inside of a cat. Last night I did a galaxy hunt. Lost count after 30.

Used a different location on the airfield last night. Set up on one of the concrete slabs along the east-west strip giving uninterupted view of the whole sky. Used the car as a wind break to stiffle the occassional gust of wind. Not cold at all though. No roos, no rabbits, no mozzies. Only one very distant barking dog.

Wavytone · #19 21-09-2009, 09:30 PM

Alex, Google Earth shows a couple of what look like bare concrete pads just south of the houses, on the north edge of the east-west runway - were you on one of these ?

Should meet you there next time.

Sounds good if it was free of mozzies.

mental4astro (Alexander) · #20 21-09-2009, 09:34 PM

Yes, I was on the most easterly one.

There is a third pad which sits under a tree, which is OK as long as you don't mind zenith being out of action.