Unexpected clouds arrived late afternoon on Thursday, 25 May 2023. The sky cleared on Friday, 26 May.

Open: Friday, 26 May 2023, 1902 MST Temperature: 82°F

Session: 1874 Conditions: Mostly clear, breezy

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

Camera:
D850 DSLR

While walking to the observatory, I noticed a nice cactus flower.

1909 MST: Began relaxing on the observatory patio bench.

1925 MST: Back inside the observatory. Sunset.

1927 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed Venus, 102X. Viewed the near First Quarter Moon, 102X.

1933 MST: Relaxed on the bench waiting for the sky to get darker.

2020 MST: Calm now. Back at the 12" telescope. Began preparing to photograph the Moon projected onto the observatory dome.

2031 MST: Moon on Dome, D850 DSLR (f/5.6, 15 seconds, ISO 5000, 14mm UWA lens).

I then mounted the D850 DSLR at prime focus and took this image of the Moon (1/320sec, ISO 400).

I focused on the star Regulus and locked the 12" primary mirror.

2048 MST: High Precision ON.

Slewed to M101 (galaxy).

2050 MST: StarLock ON.

Took this image of M101 and supernova 2023ixf, StarLock autoguided, 5 minutes, ISO 5000, White Balance Auto.

Mouseover or tap on image for location of supernova

2105 MST: StarLock OFF.

Viewed M101 and supernova 2023ixf, 102X. The supernova was still easily seen this session.

2112 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Friday, 26 May 2023, 2121 MST Temperature: 67°F

Session Length: 2h 19m Conditions: Partly cloudy

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Arizona Public Media recently visited Oracle, Arizona. Read the article and listen to the 30 minute audio to learn about this little community that is home to Cassiopeia Observatory. The Buzz: Getting to Know Oracle.

The next star party at Oracle State Park is on Saturday, 17 June 2023.

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