This is a multi-part journal. If you arrived from a search engine, you might want to begin with the table of contents page.

Over the past six months, I have been photographing the moon through my telescope, during its first quarter phase. The initial goal was to make a 3D anaglyph, which is now completed and shown below (click to enlarge). I wanted to use the first quarter to showcase craters, which are shown more prominently than during other phases. You will need red/cyan 3D glasses to see the above photo in the third-dimension. Red over the left eye, cyan over the right eye.

My main goal, however, is to make a simple three dimensional laser hologram from a stereo moon pair. With a hologram, no glasses would be needed. For instance, the viewer(s) would walk up to the laser illuminated hologram, and the hologram itself would direct the left image to the left eye, and the right image to the right eye (working as a holographic optical element) . . . and hence a beautiful 3D image of the moon would appear, seemingly floating about on a warm summer's night. But it would not be seen as a flat disc, as the moon appears to our eyes in the sky. It would be seen as a rounded sphere (which it is), just as it would appear as if we were approaching on some fantastic flight of adventure.

It will be simply extraordinary and breathtaking to witness in person.

During my preparation for this holographic recording, it dawned on me that I might perhaps tap into some history along the way: to combine both the antiquarian with the contemporary. My research and inquiries led me to a wonderful candidate: a 19th century albumen stereoview card of the full moon by Prof. Henry Draper, of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. A photo of the card, now in the Antiquarian Holographica collection, is shown above.

My ultimate goal, should my calculations prove correct, will be to combine one of Draper's full-moon left or right images, with one of my own full-moon left or right images. With these two images to work with, I could combine them into one definitive three-dimensional laser hologram.

So I am now prepping for the next full moon which takes place on March 19th. Of course, the images recorded will have to correctly fit in with one of Draper's images from the 1800's. For reasons that shall be explained in greater detail, there has to be several months difference in time between one exposure and the next.

Above: A photograph taken through my telescope of the current moon phase (March 17th). When the moon reaches full phase in two nights (March 19th, also being called the Super Moon), a chosen image will be paired with one of Prof. Draper's full-moon images from his 19th century stereoview (weather permitting). If the weather is not cooperative, I will have to wait for the next full moon, and make another attempt.

Once the two stereo images have been matched, I will then move on to the holography system to create the two-exposure stereo hologram on a 4 x 5-inch, silver halide glass plate.

I will use this section to give more detailed information as to the techniques used in the lab, as well as additional historical background. It is a very exciting project, and one that I feel will have lasting interest and value. I feel strongly that people will be gazing at my holographic moon for decades -- perhaps even centuries -- to come.

-- Frank

NEXT:

Content and Method Options
In this installment I explore options available for the holographic recording.
22 March 2011