Open: Thursday, 29 October 2020, 1813 MST Temperature: 73°F

Session: 1548 Conditions: Mostly clear, breezy

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

Camera:
D850 DSLR
iPhone 11 Pro Max

Fifteen years ago on 29 October 2005 I made my 9th visit to "Oracle Observatory". It was nice to be in the observatory on this anniversary.

1817 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed Jupiter and three moons, 102X. Viewed Saturn and four moons, 102X.

Using 12x50 binoculars I viewed Saturn and Jupiter. The planets were very close to being in the same 4.6° field-of-view. The moons of Jupiter and the ring of Saturn were visible in the binoculars. Viewed Mars in the binoculars; the disk was still visible. Then viewed the nearly full Moon, 12x50 binoculars.

Viewed Mars in the 12" telescope, 102X.

Jupiter and Saturn are approaching their very close conjunction (0.1° on 21 December 2020). Their location near the "teapot" of the constellation of Sagittarius makes a nice sight. This handheld D850 DSLR photo (f/2.8, 1 seconds, ISO 3200, FL 52mm) shows the scene.

Mouseover or tap on image for labels

I then viewed the Moon, 102X and 81X. A very slight terminator was visible.

Mounted the iPhone on the 2" 30mm eyepiece using the Levenhuk adapter. This photo was taken using the iOS app NightCap Camera (ISO 32, 1/4300sec, 1X lens).

Took a final look at the Moon, 102X.

1854 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Thursday, 29 October 2020, 1904 MST Temperature: 66°F

Session Length: 0h 51m Conditions: Clear, breezy

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