Wednesday, 11 May 2016, began a period of cloudy skies at Cassiopeia Observatory. Thursday, 12 May, we attended a dinner with some special staff and alumni from Indiana University. Friday, 13 May, was a lucky day with a visit to Kitt Peak National Observatory for our 9th opportunity to do some viewing through the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope. A visit report has been posted. Saturday, 14 May, was cloudy with some brief rain. The sky cleared on Sunday, 15 May, although it was very windy.

Open: Sunday, 15 May 2016, 1900 MST Temperature: 85°F

Session: 961 Conditions: Mostly clear, windy

Equipment Used:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
Wireless AutoStar II handset
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
1.25" 5.5.mm eyepiece

Camera:
iPhone 6s Plus

Delayed removing telescope covers due to the strong wind. 1920 MST: sunset. Still windy. 1940 MST: the wind was a little calmer now but there were still some strong gusts. Uncovered and powered on the LX600. StarLock OFF.

1942 MST: viewed the waxing gibbous Moon, 102X. Nice view.

Used the iPhone 6s Plus for this handheld afocal photograph, 102X:

Switched to a 5.5mm eyepiece (443X) and did some lunar viewing. There were some good views at times along the terminator.

Took these handheld iPhone afocal 443X photos along the terminator:

Crater Plato


Crater Copernicus


Crater Tycho (above center) and Crater Clavius (below center)

2002 MST: viewed Jupiter, 102X. The four Galilean Moons were visible. Then took a quick look at Jupiter at 443X.

2010 MST: viewed M92 (globular cluster), 102X, low in the northeastern sky. I had planned to do some imaging tests using M92 but decided to defer those to the next night due to the wind. Began closing up as the wind continued to blow.

Close: Sunday, 15 May 2016, 2020 MST Temperature: 73°F

Session Length: 1h 20m Conditions: Clear, windy

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