Difference between revisions of "October 22, 2004"

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<td width="50%"><h2><nobr>H-Alpha Moon</nobr></h2></td>
 
 
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<p align="center"><b>H-Alpha Moon</b></p>
 
<p align="center"><b>H-Alpha Moon</b></p>
 
<p align="left">Most images of the Moon are taken in visible light, which is where human eyes are most sensitive. But here (right) is one taken through a hydrogen-alpha filter which is normally used to image the Sun in a narrow red part (656.3 nm) of the visible spectrum. I compare this image to Frank's previous [[February_16,_2004|LPOD]] (and [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap031212.html APOD]!) image on the left which was taken in visible light. I enhanced both images, making comparison a little uncertain. Nevertheless, there are a few interesting comparisons. first, the two images look quite similar - probably because the Sun is quite bright at H-alpha wavelengths, contributing significantly to its total visible brightness. Second, there are some differences. In H-alpha, Mare Nectaris is more muted - the rays that cross it are more strongly depicted. The same seems true for maria Fecunditatis and Crisium - both are low in titanium. Additionally, the dark mare patches south of Mare Serenitatis have more contrast on the H-alpha image. Frank's image suggests that amateurs may want to experiment imaging the Moon thru different color filters to explore compositional differences in the maria.  </p>
 
<p align="left">Most images of the Moon are taken in visible light, which is where human eyes are most sensitive. But here (right) is one taken through a hydrogen-alpha filter which is normally used to image the Sun in a narrow red part (656.3 nm) of the visible spectrum. I compare this image to Frank's previous [[February_16,_2004|LPOD]] (and [http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap031212.html APOD]!) image on the left which was taken in visible light. I enhanced both images, making comparison a little uncertain. Nevertheless, there are a few interesting comparisons. first, the two images look quite similar - probably because the Sun is quite bright at H-alpha wavelengths, contributing significantly to its total visible brightness. Second, there are some differences. In H-alpha, Mare Nectaris is more muted - the rays that cross it are more strongly depicted. The same seems true for maria Fecunditatis and Crisium - both are low in titanium. Additionally, the dark mare patches south of Mare Serenitatis have more contrast on the H-alpha image. Frank's image suggests that amateurs may want to experiment imaging the Moon thru different color filters to explore compositional differences in the maria.  </p>
<blockquote><p align="right">&#8212; [mailto:tychocrater@yahoo.com Chuck Wood]</blockquote>
+
<blockquote>
<p align="left"><p><b>Technical Details:</b><br>
+
<p align="right">&#8212; [mailto:tychocrater@yahoo.com Chuck Wood]</blockquote>
 +
<p align="left"><b>Technical Details:</b><br>
 
Right image: Sept 25, 2004. Orion 80 mm ED + SBIG ST7E camera + Schuler 10nm H-alpha filter. Mosaic of two 110 ms exposures.  CAW ehhanced with unsharp mask. Left image: Dec 9, 2003. Celestron C8 SCT with a SBIG ST-7E ccd camera and an Orion Moon Filter to capture 18 frames at 110 ms each which were mosaicked into this image.</p>
 
Right image: Sept 25, 2004. Orion 80 mm ED + SBIG ST7E camera + Schuler 10nm H-alpha filter. Mosaic of two 110 ms exposures.  CAW ehhanced with unsharp mask. Left image: Dec 9, 2003. Celestron C8 SCT with a SBIG ST-7E ccd camera and an Orion Moon Filter to capture 18 frames at 110 ms each which were mosaicked into this image.</p>
 
<p><b>Related Links:</b><br>
 
<p><b>Related Links:</b><br>

Revision as of 17:58, 17 January 2015

H-Alpha Moon

LPOD-2004-10-22.jpeg

Image Credit: Frank Barrett


H-Alpha Moon

Most images of the Moon are taken in visible light, which is where human eyes are most sensitive. But here (right) is one taken through a hydrogen-alpha filter which is normally used to image the Sun in a narrow red part (656.3 nm) of the visible spectrum. I compare this image to Frank's previous LPOD (and APOD!) image on the left which was taken in visible light. I enhanced both images, making comparison a little uncertain. Nevertheless, there are a few interesting comparisons. first, the two images look quite similar - probably because the Sun is quite bright at H-alpha wavelengths, contributing significantly to its total visible brightness. Second, there are some differences. In H-alpha, Mare Nectaris is more muted - the rays that cross it are more strongly depicted. The same seems true for maria Fecunditatis and Crisium - both are low in titanium. Additionally, the dark mare patches south of Mare Serenitatis have more contrast on the H-alpha image. Frank's image suggests that amateurs may want to experiment imaging the Moon thru different color filters to explore compositional differences in the maria.

Chuck Wood

Technical Details:
Right image: Sept 25, 2004. Orion 80 mm ED + SBIG ST7E camera + Schuler 10nm H-alpha filter. Mosaic of two 110 ms exposures. CAW ehhanced with unsharp mask. Left image: Dec 9, 2003. Celestron C8 SCT with a SBIG ST-7E ccd camera and an Orion Moon Filter to capture 18 frames at 110 ms each which were mosaicked into this image.

Related Links:
Frank's Celestial Wonders

Tomorrow's LPOD: Imaging the First Lunar Photographer



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