I almost ruined my Orion Nebula shot by not checking the moon phase first

For years, I'd just set up my gear in the backyard whenever the sky looked clear, you know? Then last November, I drove out to a dark site near Flagstaff for a whole weekend, got everything framed up for M42, and ended up with this washed-out, gray mess. The problem was a nearly full moon I hadn't even thought about. Now I always check a moon phase calendar before I even pack the car, and I plan my targets around the new moon window. Has anyone else had a trip totally wrecked by something that simple?

2 comments

2 Comments

wrenstone23d ago

That's a classic rookie mistake but it's not just the moon phase. The moon's actual position in the sky relative to your target matters way more. A full moon on the other horizon can still wreck a faint nebula.

fiona50223d ago

But how much does it actually ruin the shot in practice?