Wednesday, 1 July 2020, dawned clear (with no smoke visible) and calm. The Bighorn Fire, started by lightning on 5 June, had now burned 118,370 acres and was 54% contained. This chart has the progression of the fire from 7 June through 30 June.

Clouds began arriving mid-afternoon on Wednesday as monsoonal moisture began coming into southern Arizona. By late afternoon the view towards the mountain was a sight rarely seen since 6 June.

Due to decreased fire activity and increased fire containment percentage, the Bighorn Fire Incident Management Team ended regular evening updates. I will continue to update my Bighorn Fire reports 2020 page with information as appropriate.

Thursday, 2 July, dawned partly cloudy. The fire was at 118,710 acres burned, 58% contained. Monsoonal clouds increased during the day. A bright rainbow arc with a faint secondary arc was visible in Oracle about 30 minutes before sunset.

Friday, 3 July, dawned mostly clear with increasing cumulus clouds mid-morning. The Bighorn Fire was at 118,807 acres, 58% containment, with some light rain occasionally. Fire activity has decreased, although there are flooding and landslide concerns for many areas. Friday evening the perimeter containment had increased to 73%. The Oracle evacuation status remained at READY.

Open: Friday, 3 July 2020, 1910 MST Temperature: 91°F

Session: 1494 Conditions: Mostly clear

Equipment:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
2" 9mm 120° eyepiece
2" 17mm 92° eyepiece
2" 12mm 92° eyepiece

Camera:
iPhone 11 Pro Max

SYNCed observatory clock to WWV time signals.

1938 MST: sunset.

1938 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Slewed to the star Regulus for my initial checks of the new Explore Scientific eyepieces for a future review in Astronomy Technology Today magazine.

1944 MST: the nearly full Moon had risen over the hill to the southeast. It will be full Saturday night, with a very slight Penumbral Eclipse.

I tested the new eyepieces for my review. Once the review appears in the magazine I will posted my review here.

I viewed the Moon, 102X. A slight terminator was visible. This is a handheld afocal 102X photo of the Moon using the iPhone 11 Pro Max taken with the iOS app NightCap Camera (ISO 21, 1/130sec, 0.5X lens).

I also took this handheld iPhone photo (ISO 32, 1/1800sec, 1X lens) showing the slight terminator.

2102 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Friday, 3 July 2020, 2114 MST Temperature: 81°F

Session Length: 2h 04m Conditions: Clear

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I have posted my review of the Explore Scientific 2" 14mm & 5.5mm 100° eyepieces that was originally published in Astronomy Technology Today, Volume 14, Issue #6.

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