20220304 - Moon 1%-2%, Diana’s Bow (March 4th 19:25cet, 2022, TS140/910)

What’s in the picture(s)
Quote: The moon, earth’s satellite, waxing crescent, 1%-2%

What was the experience
On my previous image, where I showed the waxing crescent moon sequence, I had really wanted to start off with the first tiny moon crescent, as short as possible after the new Moon of March 3rd … But, on the evening of March 4th, before I could point and focus my TS94 scope at it, it was hidden behind the hedge, as it was so low, close to the setting Sun.

But, my TS140 scope is at different place in the garden, and could still catch the moon above the hedge … 🙌. Giving me an even sharper image, compared to what would’ve been possible with the TS94.

Officially, Diana’s Bow is the crescent moon, the third day following the new Moon. But I tend to give that name to the first visible crescent following the new moon, a crescent that is as thin as a bow. It has something mythical, even mystical ...

This tiny moon-bow is also the first ‘astro’-image I made as a very young kid, with my first telescope and analogue camera, nearly 50 years ago (I started very young! Natural Born StarGazer 😉🤩), and I continue to try and capture this again, every time, to get the moon as thin and sharp as possible. Last year, June 2021, I managed a 4% bow. This time, I’m closer still … and sharper 😎

How it was done
Scope: TS140 APO (FL 910mm)
Mount: CEM70G
Camera: ASI2600MM Pro
Filter: Luminance
Photons: 20220304 19:25cet, 1080p, 2k frames, 20% stacked
Processing: AutoStakkert, RegiStax, PixInsight (Mac)

What have I learned from this
The thrill of re-living your passion from your youth, and trying to improve on the first images that meant so much at the time … get it better, sharper, closer to that first moment where the moon becomes visible again after the new moon.
First light has quite a special meaning at that moment … 🤩

PS Would love to know the formula to calculate the exact phase for the date/time …

Clear Skies everybody! 🤩✨🔭

Follow me @astrowaut