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Stefan Buda
07-05-2020, 03:12 PM
It's been a while since I posted any images.

Some people may think that lunar imaging is easy, and that is true for capturing random features at medium resolution, but if you are going after some particular feature at high resolution, things become rather difficult.

For many features the best illumination angle lasts for just one day per lunar cycle, and that means about a dozen nights a year. But high res imaging doesn't work at low celestial altitude and one will loose half of those nights to the inclination of the ecliptic. The remaining six or so nights are very likely to be lost to bad weather or seeing, so it's no wonder that it took me about two years to finally capture the Marius Hills area.

The seeing was rather ordinary and the high clouds didn't help either.

This is 4 panel panorama captured with my D-K 405 and ASI120.
The image has been down-sampled to 50%.

Peter Ward
07-05-2020, 03:16 PM
Beautiful vista.:thumbsup: Well done

JA
07-05-2020, 04:05 PM
Smooooooooth. Great Image - You were there:thumbsup:

Best
JA

John W
07-05-2020, 08:21 PM
A really nice shot Stefan. This is an interesting volcanic area. Thanks.

Stefan Buda
07-05-2020, 08:35 PM
Thanks guys for the feedback.

I forgot to mention that this was done through a red filter, which helped a bit with the seeing.

astronobob
08-05-2020, 12:46 AM
Far out, one of the best lunar surface images I've ever seen.
Think can see some lunar-snail-trails - fantastic resolution

Saturnine
08-05-2020, 12:49 AM
Having done a bit of lunar imaging over the past few years I understand what you are saying about how many nights a year that the terminator is in the right area for the illumination of certain targets and add in the vaguaries of the weather, adds to the degree of difficulty.
You have definitely captured a great image of the Marius Hills, well done.

Retrograde
08-05-2020, 07:08 AM
Fascinating view, Stefan.
Thanks for sharing.

multiweb
08-05-2020, 07:45 AM
Looks great Stefan. Super smooth yet very detailed. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Atmos
08-05-2020, 08:18 AM
As someone who hasn’t done Luna before, I’d always assumed you’d have had several nights a cycle for good illumination. Given you live in Melbourne I’m surprised you EVER managed to get it!
So much detail!

rustigsmed
08-05-2020, 11:37 AM
nice work as usual Stefan - also worth noting that little ASI120 is doing a really good job there.

Russ