Hi Ryan, What you are describing sounds like stray light. With many optical systems they will have baffles, longer tubes, flocking and other means used to reduce this. This is a bit tougher to do with binoculars - because the lenses are usually near the end of the tube. Basically, with stray light as I understand it, some of the light from an object that is outside of your main field of view finds a way to your eyepiece. Off axis lighting can pass through the lens then reflect off the inside of your binoculars, etc. Clear skies, Dale. -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Ryan Simpkins Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2014 12:39 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Beginner Question About Optical Reflections When Observing Near Moon Last night I was trying to catch views of Praesepe with some binoculars. The moon was near the field of view. When viewing, I started getting strange reflections from the moon in my view. Waiting 30 minutes for the moon to move fixed the problem. Did I see strange optical reflections of the moon because I have low end binoculars, or because any optical system is prone to this problem? Is waiting for the moon to get out of the way the only solution? In photography I'm familiar with the idea of a lens flare, but this seemed much more pronounced than just a loss of contrast. It was a distorted image of the moon in the side of the area of view. Please let me know if asking so many beginner questions is a problem for the group. If there is a better forum or method for me to seek understanding I will gladly do it. I don't want to waste everyone's time asking questions like this. Besides, it is quite intimidating. Does SLAS have a mentoring program? -Ryan _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Send messages to the list to Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com The Utah-Astronomy mailing list is not affiliated with any astronomy club. To unsubscribe go to: http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Then enter your email address in the space provided and click on "Unsubscribe or edit options".