Open: Sunday, 9 September 2018, 2043 MST Temperature: 80°F

Session: 1274 Conditions: Clear

Equipment Used:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
Focal Reducer

Camera:
D850 DSLR

After opening the observatory dome I heard some scratching outside beneath the PZT. The packrat was back (iPhone photo):

2053 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Took a quick look at Mars, 102X.

Then began preparing to image some galaxies in the constellation of Cassiopeia for my Cassiopeia Constellation Astrophotography Album. Mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus + focal reducer. Focused on the star Shedir, locked the mirror using the ScopeStuff LX600 Mirror Lock, and SYNCed on Shedir. 2108 MST: High Precision ON, StarLock ON.

Took these (slightly cropped) images of two faint galaxies in Cassiopeia, StarLock autoguided, 5 minutes, ISO 6400, White Balance 5000K:

IC10


NGC147

As I completed the image of NGC147 I saw this scorpion by the observatory door (iPhone photo):

After I took his picture he disappeared under the door. I assumed he went outside.

I resumed imaging of Cassiopeia galaxies. This is a StarLock autoguided, 5 minutes, ISO 6400, White Balance 5000K image:

NGC185

I then saw another (I assumed) scorpion well away from the door (iPhone photo):

I took my last Cassiopeia galaxy image, StarLock autoguided, 5 minutes, ISO 6400, White Balance 5000K image:

NGC278

I plan to re-image NGC185 and NGC278 on the next session without using the focal reducer to increase the image scale.

2201 MST: ended DSLR imaging.

Viewed NGC278, 102X. Then viewed M15 (globular cluster), 102X. SYNCed on M15.

Began to close as the next day was going to be full of activities.

2219 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Sunday, 9 September 2018, 2233 MST Temperature: 76°F

Session Length: 1h 50m Conditions: Clear

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