Between First Quarter and 80% Illumination

This is my favorite time to observe and image the Moon. Satisfying detail along the terminator becomes visible and indeed quite obvious, but the Moon is not overwhelming bright, and the camera does not struggle with finding a good exposure. Ray systems become visible. And the Moon crosses the meridian at a convenient hour, enabling me to do some meaningful imaging and observing without having to deal with poor seeing.

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Waxing gibbous, 51% illumination, January 20, 2021. Canon EOS M200 on 89mm Questar Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, 1/10 second exposure at ISO 200.

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Waxing gibbous, 59% illumination, June 18, 2021. Canon EOS M200 on 89mm Questar Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, 1/8 second exposure at ISO 100.

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Waxing gibbous, 64% illumination, June 8, 2022. Canon EOS M200 on 89mm Questar Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, 1/10 second exposure at ISO 100.

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Waxing gibbous, 67% illumination, April 21, 2021. Canon EOS M200 on 89mm Questar Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, 1/8 second exposure at ISO 100.

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Waxing gibbous, 73% illumination, March 23, 2021. Canon EOS M200 on 89mm Questar Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, 1/10 second exposure at ISO 100.

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Waxing gibbous, 77% illumination, April 22, 2021. Canon EOS M200 on 89mm Questar Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, 1/13 second exposure at ISO 100.

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