Processing in PixInsight and Photoshop – Siamese Twins
This post discusses the steps taken in processing NGC 4567 and NGC 4568 – Siamese Twins. Acquisition Subexposures for this image were taken on 15 different nights from our remote observatory in Fort Davis, Texas, using a Planewave CDK 17″ f/6.8 telescope on an Astrophysics 1100GTO mount and an FLI PL16803 CCD camera. ACP was […]
Sky and Telescope Editor’s Choice
We are proud to announce that our image of NGC 2264 and the Fox Fur Nebula was an Editor’s Choice selection on Sky and Telescope’s website, June 2018. Full Image Details Sky and Telescope Editor’s Choice Gallery
PixInsight vs Photoshop Processing
We use both PixInsight and Photoshop to process our images. Both are essential for bringing out as much image detail as possible.
Aster Academy Amateur Astronomy Picture of the Day, March 19, 2018
We are proud to announce that our image of NGC 2264 and the Fox Fur Nebula was selected by Aster Academy Amateur Astronomy Picture of the Day, March 19, 2018. Full Image Details
Photographing Space Image of the Week, March 12, 2018
We are proud to announce that our image of NGC 660 was selected by Photographing Space as Image of the Week, March 12, 2018. Full image details | Noise floor processing technique
Setting Up a Manageable File System
Collecting exposures from three telescope systems means managing a lot of data. But when one of those systems is a 4-scope array, managing exposures requires a plan.
Processing in PixInsight and Photoshop – M 101
This post discusses the steps taken in processing M 101, the Pinwheel Galaxy, concentrating mostly on post-processing techniques using PixInsight and Photoshop.
Adding a Background Noise Floor During Post-Processing
Over the past couple of years I’ve found that running PixInsight’s Dynamic Background Extraction (DBE) process after removing noise from a stacked image can result in a blotchy, mottled background especially in galaxy images with large dark backgrounds. This is likely due to large variations in background levels across multiple night’s of shooting using our […]
Commissioning of the 4-Scope Array
With help from Officina Stellare’s Giovanni Dal Lago, we commissioned our 4-scope array this past weekend. The array comprises Officina Stellare’s new high precision fork mount supporting 4 OS RH300 telescopes reduced to f/2.4 (the fastest RH300s in the world). The imaging train comprises Optec Gemini rotating focusers and FLI filter wheels and cameras. Two […]
Preparing for Remote Operation at the Observatory
Here’s a late-rainy-season update from the observatory. We’ve spent the summer and early fall putting the pieces in place for remote control operation at the observatory. Mini Computers Each of our telescope systems will be controlled by an Intel NUC i7 or i5 mini computer. For those counting, this will mean 6 mini computers for […]