The Moon (37% 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.

In the centre of this image are the craters Theophilus, Cyrillus & Catharina, they all have diameters of approximately 60 miles. They are located along the edge of Mare Nectaris.

Capture details

Data captured 21st April, 2018.
150x 1/20s through Ha filter.

Equipment details

Skywatcher Quattro 200 CF
NEQ6 Pro
Atik 428EX Mono

Processing details

This image was processed in Registax, Pixinsight & Lightroom.
Alignment & Stacking completed in Registax, best 50% 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 recover lost detail, with range mask to protect background.
Unsharpmask - To sharpen very slightly, using previous rangemask.
Local Histogram Equalisation - To recover some contrast, using previous rangemask.
Curves Transformation - To darken the darker lunar areas and mid's slightly, using previous rangemask.

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.
Increase Exposure (+0.50)
Reduce Blacks (-25)

Export final JPEG for upload.