Open: Tuesday, 31 May 2022, 1900 MST Temperature: 82°F

Session: 1774 Conditions: Clear

Equipment:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
2" 30mm eyepiece
1.25" 15mm eyepiece
2" UHC filter

Camera:
iPhone 13 Pro Max
D850 DSLR

1911-1927 MST: Relaxed on the observatory patio bench.

1928 MST: Sunset.

1929 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed the thin crescent Moon, 102X and 81X.

Mounted the iPhone 13 Pro Max on the 30mm eyepiece using the Levenhuk adapter. Took this afocal 81X image using NightCap Camera (ISO 34, 1/1000sec, 1X lens).

Slewed to the star Spica and then prepared the D850 DSLR for imaging.

1948-2040 MST: Relaxed on the bench and watched the stars come out.

Mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus + UHC filter, focused on Spica, and locked the primary mirror.

I then began StarLock autoguided imaging of Centaurus A (galaxy), low in the southern sky. I took a framing test image (1 minute, ISO 6400) and then began imaging at ISO 800. Unfortunately seeing and autoguiding rapidly deteriorated due to the low altitude in the sky and I gave up. I was only able to get this 1 minute, ISO 6400, image.

I decided (hoped) that seeing would be better higher in the sky so I slewed to M104 (Sombrero Galaxy). Unfortunately, I was only able to get one good StarLock autoguided image of M104 (5 minutes, ISO 800).

I gave up on prime focus imaging due to poor seeing.

I viewed M13 (Great Globular Cluster in Hercules), 102X and 163X.

Mounted the iPhone 13 Pro Max on the 15mm eyepiece and took these Starlock autoguided, afocal 163X, images using NightCap Camera (ISO 8000, 1sec, 1 minute, 1X lens).

M13 (Great Globular Cluster in Hercules)


M92 (globular cluster in Hercules)

Viewed M92 (globular cluster), 163X and 102X.

Viewed M57 (Ring Nebula), 102X.

2150 MST: LX600 OFF.

2157 MST: Took a Sky Quality reading.

Close: Tuesday, 31 May 2022, 2200 MST Temperature: 68°F

Session Length: 3h 00m Conditions: Clear, SQM 21.15

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If you plan to attend the David H. Levy Arizona Dark Sky Star Party this September or if you have already registered, my autobiography Finding my Way to the Stars is now available for ordering with signed copies to be delivered to attendees at the Star Party. Click the link to order it through Explore Scientific. Proceeds from book sales go to help defray Explore Scientific costs of putting on the event.

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