This is the final step, and arguably almost as hard as planning. After
taking down the telescope and mount, putting everything away, and going
to work tired the next day, the images might become forgotten and stay
in their raw form on the camera or on the computer. It takes dicipline
to find the time for processing, but this is where the real pay-off is.
Calibration (ImagesPlus, RegiStax, or DSS)
Convert to *.tiff
Subtract Darks from Lights
Divide Lights by Flats
Bayer Interpolate
Convert to Linear Color
Evaluation
Review each frame
Check for flaws
Eliminate substandard frames
Align and Stack
RegiStax: (Planetary)
Select the .avi file
Set Alignpoints
Find a clear/sharp frame
Manually set align points
Align
Limit: Best Frames Use judgement, about 50%
Stack: Complete in Registax or proceed to PhotoShop
Wavelet
Sliders
All off except #1
Denoise: 0.25
Sharpen: 0.15
RGB Align: Click Estimate
Brightness/Contrast: Experiment
Historgram:
Move red slider to right of peaks
Click Stretch
Gamma: Bend the curve upward
RGB Balance: Autobalance
Click Do All
Save (16 bit TIFF)
DeepSkyStacker: (DSOs)
ImagesPlus
Normalized (Multiple ISOs only)
Adjust (PhotoShop)
White Balance
Non-linear Stretch
Image > Adjustments > Curves
Click the settings gear
Load the preset curve (STRETCH.ACV)
Neutralize Background
Image > Adjustments > Levels
Select the graypoint eyedropper
Click in the sky background
The RGB levels should be approximately equal
Flatten the Field (if needed)
Duplicate the image
Filter > Noise > Dust & Scratches
Radius = 30 pixels
Healing Brush Tool > Healing Brush Tool
Diameter = 100 pixels
Alt - Click near stars that remain visible
Paint over
Click
Back to original image
Image > Apply Image
Blending Mode = Subtract
Set target as original image
Set source as the blurred copy
Opacity = 100%
Scale = 1
Offset=50
Set Black Point
Select the Color Sampler Tool from the eyedropper tool
on the toolbar Brings up the Info window)
mage > Adjustments > Levels
Slide the black point toward the right until RGB levels are 30 - 40