The Moon (50% Illumination)

Target details

The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite and one of the largest moons in the Solar System. It orbits about 240,000 miles away on average – just over one light-second. It formed around 4.51 billion years ago, not long after Earth, most likely from debris thrown out when a Mars-sized body called Theia crashed into the young Earth. The Moon always keeps the same face towards us, and that near side is a patchwork of dark volcanic plains, the maria, between bright ancient highlands and sharp impact craters.

Capture details

Data captured 2nd March, 2020.
124x 0.07sec through Ha filter.

Equipment details

Skywatcher Quattro 200 CF
NEQ6 Pro
Atik 460EX Mono

Processing details

This image was processed in Registax, Pixinsight & Lightroom.
Alignment & Stacking completed in Registax, best 40% of images, exported as 32bit FIT.
Stacked image imported into Lightroom.
Histogram Transformation - To stretch the image, it was a bit too bright.
Deconvolution - To sharpen, with range mask to protect background.
Local Histogram Equalisation - To sharpen very slightly, with range mask to protect background.
Curves Transformation - To deepen shadows sligthly, with range mask to protect background.

Export as JPEG and import into Lightroom.

Multiple graduated filters to reduce exposure by 1 stop around outer disc to get even exposure across surface.
Reduce Highlights (-25)

Export final JPEG for upload.