Saturday, 1 February 2025, had thin clouds. That evening I was able to get this photograph of the conjunction of the crescent Moon and Venus using an iPad Pro.

Sunday, 2 February, was clear.

Open: Sunday, 2 February 2025, 1735 MST Temperature: 86°F

Session: 2068 Conditions: Clear

Equipment:
12" f/8 LX600 w/StarLock
2" 24mm UWA eyepiece
2" 2X Powermate
12x50 binoculars

Camera:
D850 DSLR
iPhone 15 Pro Max

SYNCed observatory clock to WWV time signals.

1841 MST: LX600 ON, StarLock OFF, High Precision OFF.

Viewed Venus, 102X.

Prepared the D850 DSLR for imaging. Mounted the D850 camera at prime focus + 2X Powermate.

Took these images of Venus, prime focus + 2X Powermate.

1/500sec, ISO 400, full-frame


1/400sec, ISO 200, 1080p, 60fps, stack of 1306 video frames

1757 MST: Sunset.

1806 MST: Took this prime focus image of the Moon using the D850 DSLR camera.

1/500sec, ISO 800, full-frame

1816-1837 MST: Relaxed on the observatory patio bench while waiting for the sky to become darker. The air temperature was 72°F. Not bad for February!

Viewed Venus, 12x50 binoculars. By placing my fingers over the aperture lenses I could reduce the planet's brightness and detect the planet's phase.

Viewed the Moon, 12x50 binoculars. Earthshine was visible.

1841 MST: Took this prime focus image of the Moon with Earthshine using the D850 DSLR camera.

2 seconds, ISO 400, full-frame

1851 MST: Took this handheld iPhone 15 Pro Max photo of the Cassiopeia Observatory, Moon, Venus, and Saturn.

Mouseover or tap on image for labels

Viewed the Moon, 102X. Earthshine was faintly visible.

Viewed Jupiter and the four Galilean Moons, 102X. Viewed Mars, 102X.

1902 MST: LX600 OFF.

Close: Sunday, 2 February 2025, 1910 MST Temperature: 63°F

Session Length: 1h 35m Conditions: Clear

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