December 3, 2024

Archives for March 6, 2023

Nearly Full Worm Moon – 3/5/2023, 9:40pm EST

Nearly Full Worm Moon – 3/5/2023, 9:40pm EST

Telescope: Astro-Tech RC8 @ f/8, Orion Atlas EQ-G

Camera: QHY 367c Pro, Baader Mk III MPCC

Filter: GSO IR Blocking Filter

Exposure: 64x15ms, gain 2000, offset 50, -20C, saved as FITS

Seeing: good, 4/5

White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic

Software: SharpCap Pro, Nebulosity, Registax, Photoshop

This image of the nearly full Worm Moon was taken about 36 hours before the moon reached completely full on the morning of March 7th. The Worm Moon will be another example of a mini-moon with the moon being just a few days past apogee at a distance of 252,215 miles. This will make the moon a tad smaller and a tad fainter than an average full moon. Note how libration has rotated Mare Crisium nearly to the northeastern limb. That means that features along the southwestern limb are rotating into view. In the days following the full moon you may be able to glimpse the Mare Orientale impact basin and its ring mountains.