Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Digital Image Processing => Topic started by: HSakols on May 04, 2019, 01:00:32 pm

Title: Question? Stacking and Astrophotography
Post by: HSakols on May 04, 2019, 01:00:32 pm

I see to get the most out of photographing the Milky Way it is best to stack multiple images thus getting less noise and better definition.  What I don't understand is why not just stack the same image 20 times rather than 20 different frames? Is this because the sensor makes more errors in low light?   Sorry if this is not obvious.  Yes, at some point I'd like to play with Starry Landscape Tracker.

Title: Re: Question? Stacking and Astrophotography
Post by: degrub on May 04, 2019, 01:43:49 pm

Stacking with different frames helps reduce random noise in the image, particularly where you need “black”.  Second, as you thought , it is useful  to build luminosity some. Also, with shorter duration shots, you get less heating of the sensor which helps reduce thermal noise.
1/2 bit improvement per additional frame stacked as long as you don't have significant tracking errors.

Title: Re: Question? Stacking and Astrophotography
Post by: HSakols on May 04, 2019, 03:17:40 pm

Thank you!
Hugh