Blog
Articles on workflow and processing, experiences with equipment, or just general stories related to astronomy or astrophotography.
BlurXTerminator 2: Major upgrade
The AI-based tool BlurXTerminator was a revolution when it was released a year ago. Now version 2 has been released, and again the improvements are revolutionary once again. The way BXT is now able to correct for all kind of optical defects such as aberrations, coma, astigmatism, etc. is mind-blowing.
KStars 3.6.8: Aberration inspector to analyse backfocus and sensor tilt
An aberration inspector to analyse sensor tilt and backfocus distance has come to KStars/Ekos. In the December release (version 3.6.8), John Evans has introduced a tool that will make properly aligning the optical train a lot easier.
GraXpert 2.0: Single click background extraction right within PixInsight
GraXpert 2.0, a tool for automated background extraction, brings two important improvements. First it is now based on an AI-model, which significantly enhances the final results. Secondly, it is now available as a script right within PixInsight.
New PixInsight script to colour narrowband images
Mike Cranfield and Adam Block created a new tool to create colourful NB images. Each filter is assigned a layer with a colour rather than a channel. Layers are then blended together with a lot of fine-control, all with a real-time preview showing the final results immediately.
Moving to a Remote Hosting site - Part 1
After six years of imaging from my backyard, I have decided to move one of the rigs to a remote hosting site. In a number of blog-posts you can follow along on this journey. Part 1 describes the reasons behind the decision, the selection of a hosting site, goals and some higher level consequences for software and equipment.
Eise Eisinga Planetarium UNESCO World Heritage
The Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker, The Netherlands, has obtained the status of UNESCO world heritage. It is the oldest still working planetarium in the world (image © Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium)
New PixInsight process: Narrowband Normalisation
This new tool for PixInsight provides full control to balance the individual colour channels in narrowband images. It works for OSC and monochrome cameras and is available for free
Creating Horizon files made easy. Astroplanner example
Making a horizon file can be labour intensive. With this app, the task is made a lot easier. In this example the information is used to create a horizon file for Astroplanner, the very versatile application to plan and record observations and imaging sessions
Powering your rig with USB-Power Delivery
Traditionally telescope rigs are powered using 12VDC from bricks, wall adapters and power banks. But now that USB Power Delivery has become a mainstream solution to power laptops, screens etc, would it be any good to power an astrophotography rig? In this blog we will try to find out.
Supernova SN2023ixf captured with new telescope
The bright supernova in M101 is an interesting target for many astrophotographers. It appeared also a great object for first light of a new large aperture telescope in the observatory, a Planewave CDK14
Euro-EMC S130 rolling pier review
Recently the observatory was upgraded with a rolling pier. This allows a fully assembled system to be rolled-in and rolled-out the house in a fraction of the time than before. Read here my experiences with the S130 rolling pier and how it greatly improved the efficiency and productivity.
Dovetail Clamp and Powerbox in one device
A new device from Pegasus Astro combines a dovetail clamp and powerbox into one. An interesting option to improve cable management without adding extra boxes on the rig.
SNR-based exposure calculation tool
A new web-based tool to calculate the required exposure (number of frames and/or total exposure) based on a target SNR.
New ColorMask Script: Photo editor-like convenience
A new free script for PixInsight makes the manipulation of selective color areas a whole lot easier. A method using colorwheel and color pickers will make the need to use an external photo editor a whole lot less.
New SHO, HSO, HOO normalisation tools
Bill Blanshan published a new and much improved version of his narrowband normalisation tools.
New promising comet discovered
Naked-eye visible comets are pretty rare. A newly discovered comet, C/2023 A3 may become one, even though we still have to wait a bit, as its closest distance to the sun will be reached in September 2024.
Mastering Flat Frames (3/3): Bias, Flat-Darks and Conclusions
In this third and last post in a series of articales around mastering Flat Frames, we will do a comparison between Bias and Flat-Darks. Also we will look into some topics that came up following responses to the earlier two articles. Finally a cautious attempt is made to draw some conclusions.
Mastering Flat Frames (2/3): Flat Panels compared
A deep dive into the topic of taking Flat frames. A series of three articles describing experiments to fully master the many aspects of taking good Flats. In this second article four Flat panels are compared and tested in a range of experiments.
New Foraxx script for PixInsight
A new, free script for PixInsight has been released that automates the creating of narrowband images in Foraxx palette. For details on what it is and how to get it, read more.
MountWizzard4 version 3.0 released
MountWizzard4 is a must-have tool for owners of a 10Micron mount. The mount modelling can be finely controlled and over the years the software has received many more functions to manage the observatory. Version 3 has now been released with some very nice upates