The Full Micromoon of February 2024

photomoon
Written By Dan

Captured the night of February 24, 2024

A Micromoon appears approximately 12% smaller and 25% dimmer than a Supermoon due to the varying distance between the Moon and Earth as the Moon orbits our planet.

A Micromoon occurs when a Full Moon coincides with its farthest orbital point from Earth, known as apogee, resulting in a smaller and dimmer appearance. A Supermoon occurs when a Full Moon coincides with its closest orbital point, known as perigee. The Moon is approximately 42,560 kilometers (26,750 miles) farther from Earth during a Micromoon when compared to a Supermoon.

The next Micromoon will occur this month on March 25, 2024 and then not again until April, 2025. The next Supermoon will occur September 17, 2024.

Acquisition Equipment:

  • William Optics GT71

  • Flattener/reducer Flat6AIII (0.8x)

  • ZWO AM5

  • ZWO 533MM-Pro

  • Astrodon 31mm Red Filter

  • Captured in NINA

Processing (PixInsight):

  • 93 calibrated lights

  • Registered & integrated using FFTregistration

  • Range masking

  • Generalized Hyperbolic stretch

  • Local Histogram Equalization

Dan
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