Open: Thursday, 16 April 2020, 1825 MST Temperature: 82°F

Session: 1457 Conditions: Mostly clear, breezy

Equipment:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
2" 9mm 100° eyepiece
2" 30mm eyepiece

Camera:
iPhone 11 Pro Max

1833 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed Venus, 102X and 271X.

I then did some tests of an iPhone app for planet imaging. I will post a review soon.

1857 MST: sunset.

I then set up to do a test of another iPhone app for an upcoming review. I mounted the iPhone on a small tabletop tripod using the Levenhuk adapter.

1922 MST: slewed to M42 (Great Nebula in Orion). The nebula was not yet visible against the twilight sky, but the Trapezium stars were very nice, 81X. 1927 MST: some central nebulosity was now visible, 81X. 1948 MST: good view of the Orion Nebula, 81X.

The breezes ended.

I began hearing scratching outside of the observatory. The packrat visitor was back.

I saw that the light from the neighbor's greenhouse was now significantly reduced.

Thanks Neighbor!

Next, I did some tests of the second iPhone app for my upcoming review.

2051 MST: began setting up to do Messier galaxy imaging for my iPhone Messier Catalog Astrophotography Album. Mounted the iPhone 11 Pro Max on the 2" 30mm eyepiece using the iOS app NightCap Camera. The following afocal 81X images are StarLock autoguided using Long Exposure, Light Boost, ISO 12500, 1sec, 1 minute exposure, 1X lens.

M98


M99


M100


M104 (Sombrero Galaxy)


M106


M109

I then did some more tests of a 3rd iPhone astrophotography app for my upcoming review.

2130 MST: ended tests.

Viewed M104 (Sombrero Galaxy), 102X.

2146 MST: LX600 OFF.

I then stepped outside of the observatory to do a Sky Quality measurement for the Globe at Night. Unfortunately, just as I was going to take the reading the bright unshielded floodlights at another neighbor's house came on. Lately they have been turning on more frequently and staying on for a long time. I waited several minutes but the lights stayed on. I decided to take the reading anyway and report it to Globe at Night along with a comment about the lights. The reading was lower than I expected so the sky quality was apparently negatively impacted by the floodlights. Since this neighbor refused to admit the lights were shining beyond his property line I do not expect this neighbor to address the Light Nuisance, Light Trespass, and Light Pollution issue.

Close: Thursday, 16 April 2020, 2200 MST Temperature: 59°F

Session Length: 3h 35m Conditions: Clear, SQM 21.16

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