The August Full Moon: A Celestial Delight
The August Full Moon, a captivating sight in our night sky, holds a special place in lunar lore. It's often referred to as the Sturgeon Moon, a name that traces back to the abundance of sturgeon fish found in the Great Lakes of North America during this time of year. This particular August full moon also inspired a stunning astrophotography endeavor, showcasing the dedication and skill of space enthusiasts.
Capturing the Sturgeon Moon
Following a Super Star Party, the observer was inspired to capture the full moon they had just admired. Initially using a DSLR with a telephoto lens, the pursuit of a more detailed view led to employing a dedicated astrophotography rig at Starfront in Texas. The field of view proved to be ideal, allowing for the capture of a one-minute video each of LRGB data.
Technical Details of the Capture
The success of this astrophotography project is attributed to a carefully selected suite of equipment:
- Telescope: Stellarvue SVX102T and Flattener
- Camera: ZWO ASI533MM
- Mount: ZWO AM5
- Autofocus: EAF
- Filter Wheel: EFW
- Filters: Chroma L, R, G, B
The acquisition process was managed by Sharpcap, with data processing, stacking, and editing expertly handled in PIPP, Autostakkert, and Photoshop. The results speak for themselves, with excellent seeing conditions and perfect tracking contributing to a truly beautiful image.
This capture is a testament to the advancements in astrophotography equipment and techniques, allowing us to witness the moon's grandeur in unprecedented detail. The beauty of the Sturgeon Moon shines through, a reminder of the wonders that await us when we look up at the night sky.
