A Stellar HDR Attempt at Capturing the Moon's Lunar Details
After a lot of trial and error, I finally pulled together a decent lunar image! This stack is the result of 70% of 912 frames captured with my setup.
My setup for this ambitious lunar project included:
- William Optics Zenithstar 61ii with field flattener
- ZWO ASI533MC Pro (UV/IR cut)
- Guided with ASI120MM-S + Orion 50mm guide scope
The post-processing journey involved several powerful tools: PIPP, AutoStakkert!, Registax, and Photoshop.
While I initially aimed for a color image, my color data unfortunately contained artifacts. This led me to embrace a black and white finish, and I must say, the results are breathtaking! The monochromatic style truly allows the intricate details of the Moon to pop. Craters along the terminator and Tycho's impressive ray system stand out with remarkable clarity and beauty.
Even though it wasn't the exact result I initially envisioned, I'm incredibly proud of the sharpness and detail achieved in this image. It represents my first serious attempt at stacking lunar data, and the outcome is a testament to perseverance and learning in the field of astrophotography. I can't wait to see what further refinements and future attempts will bring!
