Introduction
On the evening of 8 August 2025, at around 10 pm, I set up my equipment to capture the Moon just hours before it reached its full phase in the early hours of 9 August. At 99-plus percent illumination, it was visually indistinguishable from full, yet it still retained the subtle shadows and contrast that can sometimes disappear at exact full phase. My goal was to create an image that felt authentic and true to the view through a telescope, while bringing out fine detail and gentle tonal variations.
Observing Conditions
Location: Gozo, Malta
Time: Approximately 22:00 local time
Illumination: Around 99%
Sky conditions: Clear and stable, ideal for high-resolution imaging
The Moon was positioned high enough to minimise atmospheric distortion and allow for crisp, detailed capture.
Capture Approach
The image was recorded using a Seestar S50 in equatorial tracking mode. A 90-second RAW video in AVI format was taken in video mode. The footage was then stacked in Autostakkert! to combine the best frames and produce a high-quality master image. The stacked file was saved as a TIFF for further processing.
Processing Philosophy
The TIFF was processed in PixInsight to refine detail and balance tonal range, followed by additional work in Photoshop where the colour adjustments were made.
- Stacking improved clarity and reduced noise.
- Selective colour enhancement revealed subtle mineralogical differences without overpowering the natural look.
- Halo reduction kept the lunar edge clean and realistic.
- Final brightness and contrast adjustments ensured a balanced, natural presentation.
Why 99% Illumination Can Be Ideal
- Shadows remain along the lunar limb, adding depth to mountains and craters.
- Avoids the completely flat lighting of exact full Moon.
- Maintains almost the same visual impact while preserving subtle contrasts.
Final Thoughts
This image is the result of planning, patience and a measured approach to processing. It was created with the intention of preserving the Moon’s authentic appearance while allowing the intricate surface features to be appreciated in greater detail.