Clouds and strong winds returned on Sunday, 18 April 2021. The sky cleared on Monday, 19 April, but some breezes remained as sunset approached.

Open: Monday, 19 April 2021, 1843 MST Temperature: 81°F

Session: 1625 Conditions: Clear, breezy

Equipment:
ETX-125 Observer
1.25" 26mm eyepiece
1.25" 9.7mm eyepiece

Camera:
iPhone 11 Pro Max

I set up the ETX-125 Observer Telescope on the observatory patio.

I then relaxed on the observatory patio bench.

1856 MST: sunset. Calm now.

1922 MST: ETX-125 Observer ON.

Viewed the near First Quarter Moon, 73X and 196X. Wonderful views of the Moon.

Mounted the iPhone 11 Pro Max on the 1.25" 26mm eyepiece using the Levenhuk Smartphone Adapter.

The Moon, afocal 73X, taken with the iPhone using the iOS app NightCap Camera (ISO 32, 1/500sec, 1X lens).

Did some more lunar observing, 196X. The shadows along the terminator in Mare Imbrium were very nice.

Took this handheld iPhone photo of Mare Imbrium, afocal 196X, using NightCap Camera (ISO 250, 1/125sec, 1X lens).

I then viewed the following, 73X: M42 (Orion Nebula), Double Cluster, M36 (open cluster), Leo Triplet (M65, M66, NGC3628; all in same field-of-view), M104 (Sombrero Galaxy), M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy), M81 and M82 (Bode's Galaxy, Cigar Galaxy; both in same field-of-view), M41 (open cluster), and M45 (Pleiades). All were nice views in the ETX-125 Observer.

2013 MST: ETX-125 Observer OFF.

It was definitely a fun night of observing with the Meade ETX-125 Observer Telescope.

Close: Monday, 19 April 2021, 2024 MST Temperature: 63°F

Session Length: 1h 41m Conditions: Clear

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