Copernicus

 Long time since I have updated my pages here. But the last few days, I have done some imaging of the Moon. It is really interesting object that is probably a bit forgotten by us astrophotographers. But I love it. It is dynamic, and there are so many details that are a challenge to image. Some because they are small. Some because they are only visible when the sunlight is at a certain angle. 

I have tried new methods for increasing resolution. Not just using a larger telescope, but also how I process the image. In the following image, I tried a wide view of the Copernicus crater. I have been observing this crater in detail using high magninfication, and the whole area is full of interesting smaller details. Like mountains and craters. As can be seen in this image. Although I only used a 6 inch RC, a lot of details are still visible.

In processing, I used the drizzle functionality in AS!3 this time, and it made it much easier to extract details later using the wavelet function in Registax. I spent some time trying out different settings for this image. And it is hard. Because the setting that produced the most detail in one area, would make another part look weird. So I settled on this version as a "compromise". I know I can extract more details, but not without making the image look weird. And if I make it more pleasing, much details are lost. So enjoy the compromise! Click on the image to see a full version.

Tch details : TPO 6" RC F/9. ASI178MM camera. Gain 250, 1ms exposures. 1040x1040 crop. Dyadic mode wavelets in Registax. Some levels enhancement in Gimp.