A Stunning 39% Moon: Capturing Earth's Glow and Distant Stars

A recent astrophotography endeavor has yielded a truly remarkable image of the Moon, capturing not just its 39% phase, but also the subtle beauty of Earth's glow and the faint light of distant nebulae.

This captivating shot was achieved using a powerful Nikon Z8 camera paired with the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm lens, further enhanced by a NIKKOR Z 2X Teleconverter. The photographer utilized a sophisticated three-shot blending technique processed in Photoshop to bring out the full spectrum of detail.

Here's a breakdown of the technical approach:

• Moon Exposure: The primary capture for the Moon's surface utilized an ISO of 1600, a shutter speed of 1/500s, and an aperture of f/11. This setting ensured a well-exposed view of the lunar features.
• Earth Glow and Clouds: To capture the delicate Earthglow and any atmospheric clouds, a longer exposure was necessary. This was achieved with an ISO of 1600, a much slower shutter speed of 1/4s, and the same f/11 aperture.
• Distant Stars (M8): The inclusion of the stars from the Lagoon Nebula (M8) was the result of a separate, dedicated capture session, highlighting the photographer's commitment to layering multiple elements for a rich final image.

Remarkably, this impressive result was achieved without any tracking mount, relying instead on a stable tripod and a Nikon trigger. This demonstrates that exceptional astrophotography can be accomplished with careful planning and execution, even without specialized tracking equipment.

This image stands as a testament to the dedication and skill involved in modern astrophotography, pushing the boundaries of what can be captured from our own planet.