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courses:ast100:ip

Image processing for astrophotography

The data and the Siril script can be found in this google drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vW2kqUQbHBEYf9KfGACMadruxLblsAUO

Processing and Stacking Monochrome Astronomical Images in Siril

1. Downloading and Installing Siril

  • Download the installer for your operating system.
  • Install:
    • Windows → run the .exe
    • macOS → open .dmg and move Siril to Applications
    • Linux → use AppImage or package manager

2. Setting Up StarNet++ and Script

2.1 Download StarNet++

  • Download StarNet++ from the provided link.
  • Extract the folder to a known location (example: C:/Siril/Starnet2/).

2.2 Install the Siril Script (.ssf)

  • Download the provided script.
  • Place it in your Siril scripts directory:
    • Windows → C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Siril\scripts\
    • macOS → ~/Library/Application Support/siril/scripts/
    • Linux → ~/.config/siril/scripts/

3. Downloading the Data

  • Download the dataset from the provided Drive link.
  • Extract everything into a working directory.

4. Sorting the Data into Filter Folders

The data is already calibrated. Only light frames are provided.

Create the following folders:

  • L/
  • R/
  • G/
  • B/
  • HA/

Move each filter’s images into its respective folder.


5. Opening the Project in Siril

  • Open Siril.
  • Click the Home (house) icon → top-left corner.
  • Navigate to the parent directory that contains the subfolders: L, R, G, B, HA.
  • Select that directory.

6. Running the Preprocessing Script

  • Go to Scripts tab.
  • Select the installed script.
  • Siril begins checking and preparing images.
  • Preview window appears.

To change preview mode:

  • Bottom bar → switch LinearAutoStretch.

7. Background Extraction

  • Go to Process → Background Extraction.
  • Place sample points on dark, empty background areas.
  • Ensure no stars, nebula, or bright zones under the points.
  • Click Apply (Extract Background).

8. Plate Solving (Astrometry)

  • Go to Analysis → Astrometry → Plate Solver.
  • Enter:
    • Focal length
    • Pixel size
    • Camera sensor information
  • These values are visible under Image Information.
  • Click Solve.

9. Color Calibration

9.1 Photometric Color Calibration (SPCC)

  • Go to Color → Photometric Color Calibration.
  • If Gaia server is down → download Gaia catalog locally from Siril’s database manager.
  • Run SPCC.

10. Stretching the Image

Stretch *before* star removal for best results.

  • Go to Image Processing → Histogram Transformation.
  • Use AutoStretch or adjust:
    • Black point
    • Mid-level
    • White point
  • Apply the stretch.

11. Star Removal with StarNet++

  • Go to Process → Star Removal → StarNet++.
  • Set the StarNet++ executable path if prompted.
  • Enable:
    • “Create starless image”
    • “Create star mask”
  • Run StarNet++.

Output:

  • One starless image
  • One stars-only image

12. Post-Processing

12.1 Color Saturation

  • Go to Color → Saturation.
  • Increase moderately.

12.2 Curves

  • Go to Image Processing → Curves.
  • Adjust luminance/RGB to preference.

13. Re-Adding Stars

  • Go to Image Processing → Star Processing → star recomposition.
  • Combine:

``starless + stars``

  • Apply to produce the final image.

14. Saving the Final Image

  • Go to File → Save As.
  • Export as TIFF, PNG, or FITS.
courses/ast100/ip.txt · Last modified: by asad

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