ASTRONOMY FOR DUMMIES
LUNAR IMAGING
Taking pictures of the Moon isn’t rocket science. But I managed to make it one.
Lunar Image Analyzer
LUNALIZER is a macro I developed for Fiji (ImageJ). It analyzes and ranks lunar images and videos by local image quality.
It analyzes thousands of small image patches and evaluates the sharpness of each one. The combined results of these local measurements are then used to calculate the overall quality of every image. The final output is a ranking of all images from the session, sorted by their sharpening potential.
LUNALIZER can also analyze SER and AVI video sequences before stacking. It measures the image quality of sampled or individual frames, shows how sharpness changes throughout the recording, and determines the best parts of the sequence. Selected percentages of the best frames can then be exported as new SER files for further processing and stacking. Frames remain in their original chronological order.
Features
Image Analysis
• Patch-based image quality analysis
• Gradient, Laplacian or Local Variance methods
• Percent-based image ranking
• Automatic exclusion of background and lunar limb
• Visual overlay of the sharpest regions
• Sharpness Distribution Chart
• Batch processing of complete folders
Video Analysis
• Direct analysis of SER and AVI video sequences
• Fast sampled analysis or every-frame analysis
• Automatic detection of the sharpest frames
• Chronological Frame Sharpness Chart
• Percentage-based selection of the best frames
• Export of selected frames to new SER files
• Original chronological frame order preserved
• Batch analysis and export of multiple videos
• Lunar Disk, Full Frame and Planetary analysis modes
The Next Step: Stacking and Sharpening with Strata
For perfect stacking, I use Strata by MacObservatory and it has become my favourite piece of astrophotography software. The stacking quality is outstanding, the speed is frankly mind-blowing and the sharpening tools are excellent. And last but not least the whole workflow feels remarkably effortless.
Lunalizer Analysis Results
The analysis ranks the images by quality based on a calculated index. The best image receives 100% and becomes the reference. The percentage values of the remaining images are calculated in relation to their indices. The additionally measured pixel noise is provided for information only and is not included in the quality assessment. (Click to enlarge.)
Patch Size & Visualization Variants
Different patch sizes provide different levels of spatial detail and determine how finely the image is analyzed. Marker styles, sizes, and color schemes offer various ways to visualize the results without affecting the underlying sharpness analysis.
Download
Here is the latest version. It runs in the free image processing software ImageJ or Fiji. I highly recommend installing Fiji, as it is much more convenient to use. Simply drag the macro into the Fiji window and you’re ready to go. Alternatively, you can load it via Plugins → Macros → Edit from the menu.
The Pictures
After 10 years, I've dusted off my telescope and am now starting to take pictures of the moon again. These are some of the best lunar images I’ve managed to capture with my equipment so far. Telescope: Celestron C8, IR-Pass 685 nm infrared filter. Click to view more details.
September 6, 2026
September 4, 2026
September 3, 2026
September 2, 2026
Moon 2026
The whole thing for a change without the reducer. A mosaic of four panels, drizzled to a resolution of 12,000 × 12,000 pixels. That’s a theoretical number, of course – the image isn’t actually that sharp.
Moon 2026
Telescope: Celestron Celestar C8 with f/6.3 Reducer. Camera: Player One Saturn-M SQR (3008 × 3008 pixels, 3.76 µm pixel size, sensor 11.3 × 11.3 mm) With the reducer the Moon just fits onto the chip. 1 video of 5000 frames, stacked, drizzled and sharpened in Strata.
Boring Full Moon 2026
Not exactly my favourite lunar phase. It always looks a bit like a pancake. Flat as a flounder. No matter how long I wrestle with the image.
Telescope: Celestron Celestar C8 with f/6.3 reducer.
Camera: Player One Saturn-M SQR (3008 × 3008 pixels, 3.76 µm pixel size, 11.3 × 11.3 mm sensor). With the reducer, the Moon just barely fits on the sensor.
One 5000-frame video, stacked, drizzled and sharpened in Strata.
Moon Mosaic 2016
Telescope: Celestron Celestar C8. Camera: ZWO ASI174MM (1936 × 1216 pixels, 5.86 µm pixel size, sensor 11.3 × 7.1 mm) Mosaic stitched from 8 image stacks, each created from the best 1,000 of 5,000 video frames.
The Telescope
Celestar C8 (1999). I’ve modified it slightly to enable autoguiding: I mounted the focus motor (JMI) on the DEC axis and replaced it with a stepper motor controlled by an Arduino UNO R4 WiFi controller. This allows me to focus using my iPhone or MacBook Air. As a guiding scope, I use the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4 with a Nikon teleconverter TC-1.4x. Guiding camera: Zwo Asi 174mm. For imaging, I use the Player One Saturn-M SQR.
Hardware
Celestron Celestar C8 (1999)
Vixen 130/720 & 100/900
The Imaging Source DMK 41
ZWO ASI 174MM
Player One Saturn-M SQR
Celestron f/6.3 Reducer-Corrector
Baader IR-Pass Filter (685 nm)
Astronomik ProPlanet IR-Pass (742 nm)
ZWO EFW Mini filter wheel 5x1.25
MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024)
24 GB | 1 TB
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD in a
OWC Express 1M2 enclosure
Software
Strata (Mac Observatory)
Laminar (Mac Observatory)
ASICap (Guiding, Filter Wheel)
Adobe Lightroom
Adobe Photoshop
Pipp