Open: Monday, 21 December 2020, 1328 MST Temperature: 88°F

Session: 1576 Conditions: Clear, breezy

Equipment:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
2" 9mm 100° eyepiece
2" 30mm eyepiece
2" 14mm 100° eyepiece

Camera:
iPhone 11 Pro Max

I opened the observatory in the afternoon to try to observe the close conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.

1333 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Attached the dew shield to the 12" telescope to increase contrast while observing the bright sky.

1339 MST: observed Jupiter and very faint Saturn, 102X. Wow! Seeing the planets in the daytime separated by only 6' 09" was absolutely incredible.

I then took this handheld iPhone 11 Pro Max afocal 102X photo using NightCap Camera (ISO 32, 1/1800sec, 1X lens). It closely mimics the view seen with the eye. Saturn is about 11 o'clock from Jupiter.

I switched to the 2" 9mm 100° eyepiece (271X). Saturn was very difficult to see. I mounted the iPhone on the 9mm eyepiece using the Levenhuk adapter and took this afocal 271X photo using NightCap Camera (ISO 32, 1/125sec, 1X lens). Again, this image closely shows what the eye could see.

I then used the 2" 30mm eyepiece (81X). Jupiter was easily seen but Saturn was very difficult due to the sky brightness.

Used the 2" 14mm 100° eyepiece (174X). Both planets were visible, as seen in this handheld iPhone afocal 174X photo with NightCap Camera (ISO 32, 1/640sec, 1X lens).

1408 MST: last look at the planets, 102X.

1409 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Monday, 21 December 2020, 1418 MST Temperature: 73°F

Session Length: 0h 50m Conditions: Clear, breezy

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