The free gradient removal tool GraXpert has added AI-based noise reduction. The tool is very simple to use, with essentially one slider to dial in the strength. For PixInsight users, the tool is now also available as a process rather than a scrip.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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

A new web-based tool to calculate the required exposure (number of frames and/or total exposure) based on a target SNR.

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.

Bill Blanshan published a new and much improved version of his narrowband normalisation tools.

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 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

With comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) high in the sky, PixInsight has released version 1.3.5 of its CometAlignment tool, bringing some interesting improvements.

BlurXTerminator is a new AI-based deconvolution tool which will probably revolutionise the way astrophotographers will process their images.

MacOS Ventura caused Astroplanner to crash. Read here how to obtain an updated version of the software that has fixed the bug.

On the heels of KStars 3.6 released in July of this year, an updated version 3.6.1 has now seen the light. Main new feature is the definition of ‘Optical Trains’. Currently mainly a convenience feature, but maybe this is laying the groundwork for future dual-rig support.

The new version of the PixInsight WeightedBatchPreProcessing script is 2.5. A new caching system makes it very easy to apply changes and re-run only those processes that are affected.

KStars/Ekos has released version 3.6.0. A new and much faster autofocus algorithm and an improved polar alignment tool using plate solving are two of the main new features.