Open: Sunday, 24 June 2018, 1858 MST Temperature: 80°F

Session: 1258 Conditions: Clear, breezy

Equipment Used:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
1.25" 9mm eyepiece
2" 8-24mm zoom eyepiece

Camera:
D850 DSLR

1904 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed Venus, 102X.

Set up for eyepiece projection 271X using the D850 DSLR.

This is a stack of 212 video frames (DX, 1080p, 120fps, 1/250sec, ISO 200) using Lynkeos showing the gibbous phase of Venus:

1921 MST: viewed the waxing gibbous Moon, 102X.

Stepped outside of the observatory for this iPhone 8 Plus photo of the observatory, telescope, and the Moon:

1938 MST: sunset. Calm now.

Mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus of the 12" telescope. This is a 1/400sec, ISO 200, photo of the Moon (with saturation increased during post-processing to bring out the colors):

Click or tap on image for larger version

1947 MST: removed the camera. Viewed the planet Jupiter, 102X. The four Galilean Moons were visible.

Switched to the 8-24mm zoom eyepiece and began an extended period of observing Jupiter.

2034 MST: the Great Red Spot was rotating into view. Nice views at 203X and 305X.

2101 MST: Kissing Bug #1 terminated.

2108 MST: slewed to the star Spica, mounted the D850 DSLR for eyepiece projection 271X imaging, and focused on the star.

This is a stack of 297 video frames (DX, 1080p, 120fps, 1/160sec, ISO 2500) using Lynkeos. The Great Red Spot is visible.

2123 MST: removed the camera and resumed observing Jupiter, 203X, while waiting for the planet Saturn to rise higher.

2136 MST: Kissing Bug #2 seen, but he got away. I frightened him though.

2147 MST: the South Equatorial Belt on Jupiter looked to be almost invisible trailing the Great Red Spot.

2156 MST: the Great Red Spot was now almost at the central meridian of Jupiter's disk.

2200 MST: last look at Jupiter, 305X.

Slewed to Saturn. Good view, 305X.

2204 MST: I was attacked by a Kissing Bug, possibly the same one I had attacked. It was terminated.

2218 MST: seeing seemed to be getting worse.

2230 MST: slewed to the star Antares, mounted the D850 for eyepiece projection 271X imaging, and focused on the star.

I had to use high ISO values to image Saturn using the same video settings I had used for Venus and Jupiter (DX, 1080p, 120fps). With the 120fps setting, 1/125sec was the slowest shutter speed available. This is a stack of 295 video frames (1/125sec, ISO 8000) using Lynkeos:

I will use 60fps video recording in order to reduce the ISO setting for my next Saturn imaging.

2244 MST: ended imaging.

2248 MST: last look at Saturn, 102X.

2249 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Sunday, 24 June 2018, 2301 MST Temperature: 74°F

Session Length: 4h 03m Conditions: Clear

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