Supernovae 2020nlb & 2020nvb, More New Accessories Tests

Supernovae 2020nlb & 2020nvb,
More New Accessories Tests
Posted: 6 July 2020

Sunday, 5 July 2020, dawned clear and stayed that way through most of the day. The Bighorn Fire was 75% contained.

Open: Sunday, 5 July 2020, 1920 MST
Temperature: 97°F

Session: 1496
Conditions: Mostly clear

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

Camera:
D850 DSLR

After opening the dome I relaxed on the observatory patio bench.

1937 MST: sunset.

2003 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

SYNCed on the star Denebola. Prepared the D850 DSLR for imaging. Returned to the bench to wait for the sky to get darker.

2030 MST: back in the observatory. Mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus of the 12" telescope.

2042 MST: the eastern sky was brightening from the rising waning gibbous Moon (one day past Full).

Focused on Denebola, locked the mirror using the ScopeStuff LX600 Primary Mirror Lock.

2044 MST: StarLock ON.

Imaged these two supernovae, StarLock autoguided, 5 minutes and 2 minutes, respectively, ISO 6400, White Balance 5560K, cropped from original image.

M85 Galaxy, Supernova 2020nlb

Mouseover or tap on image for pointer to supernova

NGC4457 Galaxy, Supernova 2020nvb

Mouseover or tap on image for pointer to supernova

The M85 image also shows NGC4394 (galaxy) left of M85 and IC3292 (galaxy) faintly visible to the right of M85.

I then did some more tests of the new eyepieces for an upcoming review.

I then viewed NGC4457 and was able to see SN2020nvb, 143X, 203X, and 271X. I was also able to view SN2020nlb in M85, 143X, 203X, and 271X. Both supernova were easily seen.

2130 MST: the Moon was rising over the hill to the southeast.

2138 MST: viewed Jupiter and the four Galilean Moons through a tree, 271X.

2144 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Sunday, 5 July 2020, 2154 MST
Temperature: 82°F

Session Length: 2h 34m
Conditions: Mostly clear

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