The Moon: but not as we see it

[viridis]

So, I read some article about how our moon isn't as grey and dull as we see it. Apparently due to the immense light reflection from the sun, and the upper atmosphere being densely packed with blue rich nitrogen, the colour we see is a washed out grey, or as the moon filters through our oxygen rich lower atmosphere, a orange hue during moon rise and moon set.

But, there is a way we can see the true colour of the moon. Photography.

By taking 10-20 fast shots which make the moon appear dark, you can then stack them to create a higher dynamic range image.

You then take said image and lower the blue channel (basically removing the nitrogen filtered colour) and bump up the saturation a bit.

The end result.. 

The Moon, in colour

[jonsie]

Just stunning @viridis

I mentioned this on the A9 thread not knowing you had already posted it.

The explanation of stacking makes it fairly easy to understand too!

[viridis]

Thanks dude.

[viridis]

I messed around trying to get this one as clear as possible last night, out of 30 pictures, 22 were just no good, in reality all were ever so slightly out of focus.

But as they were a bracketed shot I did get enough to compose this HDR, not perfect but it'll do.

The Orion nebula

[jonsie]

I might just give this a go tonight!

[EmilieT]

I had no idea @viridis, this is gorgeous -and so is your latest photo as always  Learning something new everyday!

[Anonymous]

Fantastic!

[Cleoriff]

Superb one of the Orion Nebula @viridis

Thanks for posting these fab pictures...

[jonsie]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

Superb one of the Orion Nebula @viridis

Thanks for posting these fab pictures...

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I knew that.........not!

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

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@Cleoriff wrote:

Superb one of the Orion Nebula @viridis

Thanks for posting these fab pictures...

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I knew that.........not!

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I also had no idea, though @viridis said what it was at the top of the image

[Anonymous]

Stunning photos @viridis

Thank you for posting