UTC · 5 min · J2000
Planning
Analyse one object over seven nights from the location you choose. Use this tool once you know what you want to photograph; all calculations, dates, and times are expressed in UTC.
Planning guideUTC
4 · Seven-night comparison
| UTC night | Astronomical night | Night max. alt. | >30° window | Moon down | Best Moon-down time | Best Moon-up time | Moon | Separation |
|---|
UTC
5 · Night detail
How to interpret the Moon
| Separation | Likely effect |
|---|---|
| Under 20° | Very unfavourable, especially with a bright Moon |
| 20–40° | Significant interference |
| 40–60° | May be acceptable with a moderate Moon or narrowband filters |
| 60–90° | Generally manageable |
| Over 90° | Favourable, although a high full Moon still brightens the sky |
Lunar illumination changes the interpretation considerably:
- 0–20%: separation usually matters little.
- 20–60%: aim for a separation greater than 50–60°.
- Over 60%: even beyond 90° it can noticeably brighten the sky background.
— Object— Moon┄ 30° limit■ Astronomical night
Move the pointer; on touchscreens, tap to inspect and drag to scroll across the chart. Segments outside astronomical night are dimmed.