I usually don't use filter, I find I get used to it after a while. Just means you can't go to other targets for a while.
You could add a Pol filter or go to a 1.8 instead of the 0.9
Tonight I was using the ND 96-0.9 Moon filter but it was still too bright to look at for more than a few seconds.
What is the best way to solve this issue? Add another filter or get one with a lower ND?
Cheers,
Stefan.
1. Don't look at the moon between 1st Quarter and Last Quarter
but if you must
2. Buy a set of 2 polarising filters.
They work together in a setup like a little barlow;
By twisting the adjustable one, you can virtually filter out from 50% up to 99% of the light path.
I've been using a baader 570nm Orange filter for a while now, reduces the brightness and has better contrast on features away from the terminator. I don't mind the orange colour, and the full moon looks great with it as well. Occasionally I revert to non filtered viewing but much prefer the filtered view,especially after first quarter.
I also use a pair of polarizing filters as Allan suggest. But I only use them with low magnification view of the Moon with my C8, say <100X. After that, even with an 8" aperture, my eye adapts to the image brightness. And as I'm typically using 250X, a filter is not useful along the terminator. Depends on what you are looking at, your scope and the magnification you are using. But a pair of polarizing filters will give you a very wide range of brightness control and flexibility with your gear. Coloured filters can be useful too as Gus.k suggests. Depends on your application too.
Easy. Observe with your backyard lights on - if your at home.Failing that look directly into a torch. Deliberately ruin your dark vision. When I observe the moon with my 12" I dont even use a filter as you lose detail and perceived contrast. It improves comfort greatly. Infact i dont think ive used either of my 2 ND filters in a couple years. Obviously do this at the end of your session or set your session to only look at the moon and planets.
Easy. Observe with your backyard lights on - if your at home.
Why didn't I remember that one too!!!
Yes, I observe the Moon with as much light around me too! The porch light, a blooming big head lamp illuminating the page I'm sketching on. Lights, lights, lights. This way your are not straining your eyes in trying to go from dark to blinding. Instead your vision is essentially 'daytime adapted'. There is no dark adaptation when viewing the Moon.
Stefan, a single polarising filter is not the same thing as working with two. A single filter is the same a using a neutral density filter, and that's it. A pair of polarising filters are used in tandem, with one rotated with respects to the other - then you get the variable transmission with the change in polarised angle between the two, all the way to nearly no transmission at all.
If you were already aware of this, my apology for repeating things,
The very best way I have found to view the full moon is through a Televue Binovue with Tak LE eyepieces and a Baader GPC 1.25x. Almost like being in orbit above it. The binoviewers dim the image just enough and give almost a 3D effect........
My eyes must adapt rapidly to bright light since I have ALWAYS viewed Luna without any filters. And the re-adaptation to dark doesn't seem to take me more than a minute or 2 either.
The very best way I have found to view the full moon is through a Televue Binovue with Tak LE eyepieces and a Baader GPC 1.25x. Almost like being in orbit above it. The binoviewers dim the image just enough and give almost a 3D effect........
The Moon looks awesome using Bino's .....much more comfortable and you tend to ' stay ' at the ' Eyepiece ' longer.
I use 2 x TV25mm with Denk Bino's .... terrific combination.
I agree with Mental ... polarizing filters age good with single eyepiece use.
The amount of filtration required when the Moon is full is more than when the Moon is a thin crescent. The amount of filtration required at 50x is radically different than at 250x.
Unless you have a stack of neutral density filters of varying density, I suggest a variable polarizing filter (essentially two polarized filters stacked together and one in a turnable housing).
If you have an SCT, Maksutov, or refractor, you can place one filter on the front of the diagonal and the other on the eyepiece and simply turn the eyepiece in the diagonal to dial in the perfect level of brightness.
And if you want to change eyepieces a lot, place the second filter on the bottom of the 1.25" adapter and simply turn the adapter + eyepiece to dial in the brightness.
If you have a reflector, you can split the polarized filters between the 1.25" adapter and the eyepiece (if 1.25" and 2" polarized filters are used), or simply use a variable polarizing filter on the eyepiece and use trial and error to determine the correct brightness by turning one of the filters relative to the other one.
If you view, typically, at exit pupils of 2mm and smaller, it is likely a filter won't be needed. It's primarily at lower powers where Moon filters are useful.
Why didn't I remember that one too!!!
