SharpCap Forums

Captured 5th May 2020 at the end of an LRGB session. Approx 90% waxing moon.
Vixen 81s refractor + Vixen 0.67x reducer + red filter + Atik 314E CCD camera.
Exposure=8ms, 500 frames @ 0.3 fps, RAW 16.
SharpCap 3.2, Autostakkert!3, GIMP 2.10



Dave

Nice, Dave! I do love that 16-bit A/D on your CCD camera.

Brian

Thanks Brian. The Atik seems to work well on a full disc. There is a good trade-off for 16-bit v low fps. I have never tried any close-up crater work (yet).

Dave

Aristarchus is that small bright crater on the terminator at the 10 o'clock position. There are some interesting formations to the left of it: several rills and pyroclastic deposits. It is difficult to image due to the oblique angle but if you monitor the Virtual Moon Atlas for favorable libration you can capture it with your C8.

Brian

Two thumbs up, Dave!
Never tried GIMP. Looks similar to PhotoShop which I rarely use.

Bruce

Brian

Found it in Virtual Moon Atlas. VMA recommends 3 days after last quarter for viewing - that makes it tricky and a very early morning object.



Dave

Thanks Bruce. Very little processing done to get this - the benefit of 16-bit data.

• Stack in Autostakkert

• Load _conv file (partially sharpened output from Autostakkert) into GIMP

• Mild Sharpen (Unsharp Mask)

• Highlights-Shadows

• Contrast

• Levels (adjust gamma)

Dave

Crisp!

Thanks Menno.

I like all the different shades of gray in the Mare. That's what 16 bits delivers. Also it helps to give the Moon that 3D appearance. 12 bits delivers a flat Moon.