Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 129 X 300s (645m)
    * Total: 10h45m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 12 hours
    * Progress: 90%

Notes

8th August 2023

A sketch made from an image taken on 28th April 2023 when the Moon was eight days old. The last few weeks have been so cloudy and the Moon so low as to make direct observation impossible.

A sketch made over two evenings, taking about one hour in total. Sketching was made easier by being possible before nightfall and the sketch pad therefore being visible without a torch.

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 94 X 120s (190m)
    * Total: 3h10m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 6 hours
    * Progress: 50%

Notes

Seeing index: Not recorded
Jet stream: Not recorded

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 139 X 120s (278m)
    * Total: 4h38m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 12 hours
    * Progress: 39%

The bright supernova SN2023IXF currently visible in M101, the Pinwheel Galaxy.

This evening Mars traversed the Beehive Cluster M44. It was a beautiful sight in the twilight but too low to photograph from the observatory so I made a sketch with the Dobsonian. The 1220mm scope coupled with the binoviewer and the 1.6x Barlow lens required to allow it to reach focus it was a gorgeous thing to witness, even if somewhat over-magnified hence excluding many of M44’s stars.

Integration time: OSC 1 X 2/5s @ F9

A daytime live stream showing sun spots and prominences in H-alpha.

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 63 X 120s (330m)
    * Total: 5h30m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 6 hours
    * Progress: 92%

Another try in the latter stages of this year’s galaxy season where the weather has been so awful. Aiming for some good resolution and brightness using the 268C and a fast Newtonian.

    Integration time (running total):
    * OSC 11 X 120s (22m)
    * Total: 0h22m
    
    Integration time target
    * Target: 2 hours
    * Progress: 18%

This is another experiment on the feasibility of using an F12 scope for deep sky imaging. I have deliberately chosen an object close to the zenith which should remain visible for some time with the aim of completing a multi-night image before the end of galaxy season. The altitude will decline as we enter the month of June so the next two…