The replacement Meade 12" LX600 finally arrived on Monday, 11 July 2016. It won't be set up in the observatory until next week following the replacement of the carpet on the observatory pad.

Open: Monday, 11 July 2016, 1936 MST Temperature: 90°F

Session: 997 Conditions: Clear, breezy

Equipment Used:
ETX-125AT
1.25" 26mm eyepiece
1.25" 3X TeleXtender

Camera:
iPhone 6s Plus

I decided to use my Meade ETX-125AT for this night's short session. I waited until sunset before going to the observatory to let strong winds die down, which they did.

1936 MST: sunset.

1946 MST: ETX ON. Did an Easy Align star aligment. The selected stars were visible in the telescope. I then took this photo showing the telescope and observing chair on the observatory patio:.

Viewed the Moon, 73X and 219X. Nice views of the First Quarter Moon.

Next, mounted the iPhone 6s Plus on the telescope using the Orion SteadyPix afocal adapter. Using the Apple Watch as a remote shutter release with the iOS Camera app, took this photo of the Moon, afocal 73X:

I then took this series of photos along the lunar terminator, afocal 219X, again using the iPhone Camera app and Apple Watch as a remote shutter release:

2020 MST: viewed Jupiter, 219X. Seeing not very good, but cloud bands and three moons were visible.

Viewed Mars, 219X. View hampered by poor seeing. Surface details not very clear.

The last object viewed was Saturn, 219X. Cassini Division and the moons Titan and Rhea were visible even with poor seeing.

2030 MST: ETX OFF. Began closing up.

Close: Monday, 11 July 2016, 2041 MST Temperature: 82°F

Session Length: 1h 05m Conditions: Clear, breezy

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