Lunar viewing

What are some thoughts on lunar filters or techniques? The moon is usually quite bright when observing, so I am trying to figure out the best solution to cutting down on the light but not the contrast. Any thoughts are appreciated.

A Moon filter will actually improve the contrast on the Moon.
Borrow one at a star party some time. I find that most of the Moon filters work just fine.
I Neutral Density filter works pretty well too.
Floyd

I would try a neutral density/polarizer filter, colored filters, use higher power or masking the aperture of your scope.

Rob

Besides a designated moon filter, an orange or yellow filter will reduce glare/improve contrast on the moon and serves double duty as a planetary filter. I've used inexpensive gelatin filters from photography stores cut to fit in a plastic slide holder held between eye and eyepiece. Ron

Michael,

Don't ever, under any circumstances, look at the moon through binoviewers. It's scary how beautiful it is. Very dangerous for the wallet, though.

Sorry, just a quick plug for binoviewing.

I don't care for the Orion variable polarizing filter so much. Seems to degrade the image. It makes craterletes in Plato disappear.

I do like my 25% ND filter, but it is not strong enough for the moon. The Orion moon filter is good, but just a bit too strong (I think it's 87% or maybe 91%). I'm going to pick up a 50% neutral density and see how that works.

Clear skies,

Tom

What sorts of features are you trying to observe on the lunar sufrace? Craterlets and rilles near the lunar terminator do not benefit from filters because they are extremely high contrast objects. Instead, maximize the useful magnification. Filters may be helpful when tracing out ejecta patterns and otherwise determining other variations in surface composition, generally features observed under high illumination, but the benefits are somewhat limited compared, say, to viewing low-contrast, colored features on Mars or Jupiter.

"Moon" filters are optional equipment. IMO, they are most helpful when you want to do lunar observing and DSO observing in the same night. Many experienced lunar observers never use them. One way of avoiding the need when not in a star party situation is to do your lunar observing with a white light on.
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Mike

I recently bought a Baader Planetarium Moon & Skyglow filter and I’m impressed with its performance on the moon. In the past I’ve used neutral density filters for the moon and I always liked the darker ones better, especially at lower powers. The Baader isn’t very dark though, in fact when I first received it, I held it up to the light and I thought that it wasn’t going to be dark enough, but it surprised me. It reduces the overwhelming brightness to an acceptable level and retains natural coloration at the same time. It’s good on Mars too. jmtcw.