Thread: Binning
View Single Post
  #3  
Old 09-07-2010, 03:17 PM
rogerg's Avatar
rogerg (Roger)
Registered User

rogerg is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 4,563
Depends on the pixel scale of your setup, type of camera, and other factors, as to how often and when you'd use it.

Basically you might use binning when:

... You need stronger signal data in shorter time (when you need to minimise exposure times).
... You don't need higher resolution of 1x1 and so can take advantage of the stronger signal of binning 2x2, 3x3, etc.
... Binning 1x1 is not going to give you any more detail than binning 2x2 (or 3x3 or whatever) and so you may as well take advantage of the stronger signal of binning more heavily.
... When you want faster frame rate (quicker download)


Example 1: Viewing conditions are poor and so binning 1x1 you aren't seeing sharper detail than you would acquire when binning 2x2. Go with 2x2.

Example 2: Recording an occultation where high frame rate and good signal to noise ratio is of high importance and you don't need high resolution you only need to see a dot which is visible at 1x1 or higher binning equally.

Example 3: LRGB where the L defines the fine detail and where the drop in brightness through RGB filters sets you back a bit in signal, 2x2 will improve the RGB frames data.

Example 4: You're not after a stunning picture but you just want to have fun snapping objects around the sky without autoguiding. Binning higher than 1x1 will mean less time before trailing is obvious and gives you stronger signal in a shorter exposure allowing you to keep exp times to a minimum avoiding trailing due to lack of autoguiding while still getting more data, and giving you a clearer overall picture of the object due to extra signal showing fainter aspects.

Example 5: You want to survey X number of objects in the night where you're trying to optimise X. You don't want to script it to autoguide every exposure because that'll consume too much time, and you don't need stunning images you just need minimal data. Binning higher gives you stronger signal in shorter exposure times (increasing X), more tolerance of tracking error, and you still get the minimal data you need.
Reply With Quote