Daytime Crescent Moon with the
Orion 10" f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph
July 7, 2016
Uploaded 7/29/16
Note: Primordial usage of South is up in all images, more info below.
| For
very thin lunar phases that would normally be behind our house
and with a huge ridge to our west, the only way to image the
lunar ramparts at this phase which would be normally very low
in the west at sunset - is to shoot hours earlier, when the moon
is at its highest point in the sky around noontime. While daytime
seeing is typically very poor and the contrast between blue sky
and moon is very low, the seeing on this
day was far more stable - around 3/5, and with the use of an
Orion IR pass filter, I can darken the sky enough while improving
the seeing to make it possible to get sharp images under these
adverse conditions! It must be stressed that normal daytime seeing
with the Sun beating down is usually so terrible that no imaging
is possible. This was a special time. |
Here is the appearance of the waxing cresent moon
just after lunchtime in a bright blue sky on this day:
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By subtracting the sky background digitally,
and tone mapping we can restore the moon so it
appears as it would in a night time sky. This is a
two part montage with the 10.
Select size for enlarged view:
1400 x 1200
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A few of the major features shown here
Select size for enlarged view:
1400 x 1200
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| Here
is the set with the 5x Televue Powermate which zooms in on the
individual features. Only when the seeing is 3 or above can I
even use this barlow, on most nights 5 meters of focal length
results in a seething blur for an image. Most of the crescent
is covered from top to bottom. |
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Petavius, note the shadowed dark rille going
from center to outside edge. This is unique
on the moon.
Select size for enlarged view:
1400 x 1200
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This is a two part panorama.
Select size for enlarged view:
1400 x 1200
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Select size for enlarged view:
1400 x 1200
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| Processing:
25/1200 best frames, alignment in Autostakkert, USM, Levels and
Contrast Masking In Photoshop CS2 and Image J. |
Instrument: Orion (GSO) 10" f/3.9 with 5x Powermate
Platform: Astrophysics AP1200
CCD Camera: Image Source DMK 51
Filter: Orion IR Pass
Exposure: 1/30 sec 12fps
Location: Payson, Arizona
Elevation: 5150 ft.
Sky: Seeing 3/5, Transparency 7/10
Outside Temperature: 85F
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