Learning to Appreciate the Moon

[helicon]

Yes, I was one of those amateur astronomers who had nothing but disdain for the evil orb. It was always emitting a form of natural light pollution which got in the way of the much more important observations of DSO's.

Yet, in the last year as viewing opportunities for my favorite objects have been few and far between I have begun to appreciate our closest neighbor. It's bright, it's easy to find, and yields an incredible amount of detail at the eyepiece.

So I have had a change of heart, partially attributable to my newest scope, a 6" f/6.5 refractor. Through this instrument the limb is well defined and very sharp, there is no chromatic abberation or coma. Pumping up the power yields amazing sights.

So how many of you have had a revelation when it comes to luna and learned to appreciate it's glories?

[Lady Fraktor]

Congratulations on discovering the richly detailed lunar surface Michael

[10538]

Well Michael, lately I’ve been thinking about spending some more time with that evil orb then I come to my senses and say Bah Humbug! Go away you evil orb!

[Bikerdib]

In 45+ years of it, I still enjoy studying the terminator as long as the Moon is 98% illuminated or less. The shadows are ever changing. Maybe it is because I grew up in the moon race era. The added opportunities of waining vs waxing is also a plus.

[Don Quixote]

I am also a Lunatic Michael.
I have always enjoyed looking at her beauty, but I do confess that after tasting fine skies and deeper viewing she fell into some disfavor for a time, but that sentiment was short lived.
I continue to enjoy her glories.
And Luna is quite photographic with simple equipment.

[bladekeeper]

Well, Michael, I have also come to appreciate the Moon, especially since the sky has been less that cooperative for the past year and a half and the Moon is the only thing that consistently burns through the muck.

Lunar imaging is something that I find to actually be relaxing, and it is always fun to walk along the terminator to watch the shadows play. And then I get to try to figure out how to duplicate the view on the image. Never quite works out. The view is always much better.

[OzEclipse]

Michael

In the distant past, I too was guilty of regarding the Moon as nothing but an irritating source of light pollution that interfered with my deep sky observing.
Nowadays I do appreciate our nearest neighbour. It is the only celestial body that we can study topography in detail.

When using the 18", I like spending a lot of time studying one crater or area in detail for an extended period at high magnifications.

Joe

[helicon]

Michael

In the distant past, I too was guilty of regarding the Moon as nothing but an irritating source of light pollution that interfered with my deep sky observing.
Nowadays I do appreciate our nearest neighbour. It is the only celestial body that we can study topography in detail.

When using the 18", I like spending a lot of time studying one crater or area in detail for an extended period at high magnifications.

Joe

I have to admit I have never looked at the moon through the 18" as I fully expected to be "blinded by the light" to quote a song from the 70's.

[OzEclipse]

Yes it is blinding but if seeing allows, the view is astounding.
Then again, I don't look for faint fuzzies immediately afterwards.

[Thefatkitty]

I don't know if it was an appreciation, or just giving in.... Seems in the past couple or few years my cloudless skies at night are often when the Moon is out. So you go with the flow....

And I find it a fun target to photograph, and it's AP on the cheap! Being the bright object it usually is, it's often visible in the day:




Conjunctions are good with bright stars, or Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars... Here's one at dusk with Venus:




You also get the occasional eclipse:




The last time I had eight clear days in a row was just over two years ago. Of course, the Moon was up. Again; go with the flow...




Even on cloudy nights, it often makes for a vivid photo:




And the odd halos are interesting, as well...




Though usually, I just get a variation on the phase of this




So yes, I do appreciate the Moon, at least for what it is. If I can get out for some astronomy, I've learned to take it where I can get it. And it makes those clear Moon-less nights that much more enjoyable and appreciated!

And this would be my 100th post on TSS
All the best Michael, and clear skies!

[Lady Fraktor]

Some nice images Mark, I like the 8 day sequence.

[helicon]

Pretty cool Mark.

[Don Quixote]

Very nice appreciating Mark.! :-)
I also like the 8 day set. That is very nice.
Cheers!