This phenomenon you’re experiencing could be due to a few different factors, primarily related to your viewing equipment and environment. Here are some detailed steps to identify and potentially fix the problem:
Check Your Equipment:
Quality of Lenses: If you’re using binoculars or a telescope, check the lenses for any dirt, smudges, or scratches that might be causing light to scatter, leading to reflections or ‘ghosting’ images. Clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth and a suitable lens cleaning solution.
Lens Alignment: For telescopes, ensure the lenses or mirrors are properly aligned. Misalignment can cause unwanted reflections. Refer to your telescope’s manual for collimation instructions.
Anti-reflective Coatings: Ensure that your optical devices have anti-reflective coatings to minimize internal reflections.
Environment Factors:
Lighting Conditions: Ensure you’re observing the moon from a dark location. Nearby artificial lights can reflect in your optical equipment. Try finding a spot away from streetlights or house lights.
Atmospheric Conditions: Weather and atmospheric conditions such as high humidity or thin clouds can cause reflections or halos around bright objects like the moon. Check if the sky is completely clear.
Optical Aberrations:
Ensure that your optical device does not suffer from aberrations. Check for chromatic or spherical aberrations in your optics, which might make the moon appear with additional ghost images.
Adjusting Focus:
Sometimes, simple defocusing or incorrect focus can cause reflections. Carefully adjust the focus to ensure the primary image is sharp and clear.
By addressing these factors, you should be able to reduce or eliminate the unwanted reflections. If the problem persists, consult with an astronomy enthusiast community or contact the manufacturer of your equipment for further assistance.