Open: Wednesday, 25 May 2022, 1847 MST Temperature: 85°F

Session: 1771 Conditions: Clear, breezy

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

Camera:
D850 DSLR

1855-2000 MST: Relaxed on the observatory patio bench.

1924 MST: Sunset. Calm now.

Prepared the D850 DSLR for imaging.

2002 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Slewed to M104 (Sombrero Galaxy). It was not yet visible in the twilight sky.

2007 MST: Dome OFF.

2008-2045 MST: Relaxed on the bench again to watch the stars come out.

Viewed M104 (Sombrero Galaxy), 102X.

Mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus + UHC filter, focused on the star Spica using a Bahtinov Mask, and locked the 12" telescope primary mirror. Then slewed to M104.

2051 MST: StarLock ON.

I took several images of M104 (Sombrero Galaxy) and then Omega Centauri (globular cluster) over a nearly one hour period. I then discovered that I had left the Bahtinov Mask on the telescope! STUPID! I had wondered why the images on the camera screen preview looked so faint.

I removed the mask and took this StarLock autoguided image of Omega Centauri (globular cluster), 1 minute, ISO 800, White Balance 4550K.

As the next day would be a busy one, I had to end my imaging session.

Viewed Omega Centauri (globular cluster), 102X.

2157 MST: LX600 OFF.

2200 MST: Dome ON.

2204 MST: Took a Sky Quality reading and reported the result to Globe at Night.

Close: Wednesday, 25 May 2022, 2209 MST Temperature: 72°F

Session Length: 3h 22m Conditions: Clear, SQM 21.12

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I have received this International Dark-Sky Association cap and T-shirt.

I also received this Cassiopeia Observatory keychain.

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