Open: Friday, 1 May 2026, 1759 MST Temperature: 92°F

Session: 2131 Conditions: Mostly clear, breezy

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

Camera:
iPhone 15 Pro Max
D850 DSLR

1806 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed the planet Venus, 102X and 271X. Gibbous phase visible.

Attached the LiDAR Cover on the iPhone 15 Pro Max and mounted the iPhone on the 2" 9mm eyepiece using a 3-axis adapter.

Venus, afocal 271X, iPhone 15 Pro Max, NightCap Camera app (ISO 64, 1/12000sec, 1X lens)

1829 MST: Relaxed on the observatory patio bench.

1909 MST: Sunset. Moved to a higher location with a clear view of the western horizon for my attempt to see Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), which would be very low in the western sky.

While waiting for the twilight sky to get darker, I took this iPhone photo of Cassiopeia Observatory with Kitt Peak National Observatory (65 miles away). The Mayall 4-meter observatory dome is visible (see the labeled version).

Mouseover or tap on image for label

1949 MST: This D850 DSLR photograph (f/5.6, 1/4sec, ISO 2500, FL 300mm, slightly cropped) shows where the comet would have appeared if it had been visible five minutes before it set to the left of Picacho Peak.

I never saw the comet head, coma, or tail.

2000 MST: Back to the observatory. Calm now. The eastern sky was brightening from the rising Moon, a few hours past Full.

Viewed Jupiter and three Galilean Moons, 102X.

2011 MST: Relaxed on the observatory patio bench and enjoyed being out under the stars while waiting for the Moon to appear.

2038 MST: iPhone Camera app photo (Night Mode, 3 seconds, 1X lens) of the eastern sky as the Moon appeared over the hill. The bright star Arcturus is above center. The constellations of Boötes and Corona Borealis are visible (see labeled version). Still waiting for T CrB to nova (was originally predicted to happen in 2024).

Mouseover or tap on image for labels

2044 MST: Returned to the 12" telescope and viewed the Moon through tree limbs, 102X. A very slight terminator was visible.

Using my 10x30mm monocular (purchased in 1963) I viewed the Moon. I then viewed Jupiter, 10x30mm monocular. One of the Galilean Moons was visible. Using the monocular to view celestial objects reminded me of using it at night as a teenager.

2056 MST: Viewed the Moon, 102X. It was almost clear of the tree.

2101 MST: The Moon projected onto the observatory dome (102X). iPhone Camera app (Night Mode, 3 seconds, 1X lens).

2110 MST: The Moon, afocal 102X, iPhone, Camera app (1X lens).

Took a last look at the Moon, 102X.

2116 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Friday, 1 May 2026, 2125 MST Temperature: 64°F

Session Length: 3h 26m Conditions: Clear

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