Bad Seeing, Good Transparency

[Stub Mandrel]

Beginners are often confused by the difference between 'transparency' and 'seeing'.

Hopefully this short video of the area around the Apollo 11 landing site will help. The 'transparency' is good, with a decent level of detail and contrast. The 'seeing' is poor with the classic effect of looking through running water.

 

[kirkster501]

A good explanation and example Neil.  Thanks for sharing.

[Stub Mandrel]

4 minutes ago, kirkster501 said:

A good explanation and example Neil.  Thanks for sharing.

It amazes me how stacking can sort out all that distortion!

[viewer]

Hi!

Very impressive and suggestive video! You are really feeling we are at the bottom of a sea of atmosphere.

[Stu]

Wibbly wobbly Moon

It's surprising how poor the transparency can be for both lunar and planetary observing without having too much of an impact on the views. When the seeing is very poor you would not see any of those details; the other day I couldn't even see the GRS when it was coming onto the disk.

It's also strange how often poor seeing goes with good transparency and vice versa. If it's poor seeing and good transparency then best to try some lower power deep sky observing.

[Rob Sellent]

Nice little read about seeing and transparency here

 

[westmarch]

Clearly and concisely put.

John