Our Moon - 238,900 miles from earth

Written By Patricia Morine

DECEMBER 17,2024 : MOON VIA CELESTRON 8se TELESCOPE. Maui at Bortel 4 skys.

In Hawaiian culture, the moon is called MAHINA. The moon holds significant importance in Hawaiian mythology and traditions, and it plays a role in various aspects of life, such as navigation, agriculture, and spirituality. . The moon's phases, particularly the new moon and full moon, are important for understanding the rhythms of the ocean and for navigation. The "kaulana mahina" (lunar calendar) was used by ancient Hawaiians to plan agricultural activities, such as planting and harvesting, as well as for fishing. The lunar cycle also influenced traditional ceremonies and rituals.

What is the best way to capture a photo of the moon? I used a telescope for this image and my Samsung phone held up to the eyepiece. However photographing the moon with a DSLR can yield beautiful and stunning results. To get the best images, you need to optimize your camera settings for night photography and lunar details. Here are some recommended DSLR settings for photographing the moon:

1. Use a Telephoto Lens

  • The moon is far away, so a lens with at least 200mm or higher focal length will help you capture more detail. A 300mm to 500mm lens is ideal for better magnification.

2. Set the Aperture (f-stop)

  • Aperture: Set your aperture to a medium value like f/8 to f/11. This provides a good balance of sharpness and depth of field for the moon's surface.

  • Avoid using too wide an aperture (e.g., f/2.8), as this can lead to a blurry moon due to diffraction.

3. Shutter Speed

  • The moon is bright enough to be photographed at fast shutter speeds, so start with around 1/125 to 1/250 seconds.

  • If you use a longer focal length, you may need to adjust your shutter speed to avoid motion blur (from the Earth's rotation or camera shake).

4. ISO Settings

  • Set your ISO to a low value like 100 or 200 to avoid noise in your photo. The moon is bright enough to be captured with low ISO settings, ensuring clean, sharp images.

5. Focus

  • Use manual focus and zoom in on the moon using your camera's live view or viewfinder for fine adjustments.

  • Focus carefully on the moon's edge to ensure sharp detail. Autofocus may not work well due to the lack of contrast at night.

6. Shoot in RAW

  • Always shoot in RAW format to retain maximum detail and flexibility for post-processing. This gives you more control over exposure, sharpness, and color.

7. Use a Tripod

  • A tripod is essential for steady shots, especially with telephoto lenses. Even slight camera shake can cause blur at high magnifications.

8. Use a Remote Shutter or Timer

  • To avoid camera shake, use a remote shutter release or set the self-timer on your camera. This will ensure the camera remains still when the shutter is released.

9. Shoot During the Right Phase of the Moon

  • The best time to photograph the moon is during the waxing or waning phases when you can capture more detail in the shadows (the "terminator" line). Avoid shooting during a full moon, as the details may get washed out by the bright light.

Sample Camera Settings for the Moon:

  • Aperture: f/8 to f/11

  • Shutter Speed: 1/125 to 1/250 seconds

  • ISO: 100 to 200

  • Focus: Manual focus (set on the moon’s surface)

Patricia Morine
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