Startools V1.8 Spatially Variant PSF Deconvolution

[Startrek]

With all the recent media exposure on Astro forums and Astro channels about BlurXterminator over the past month or so , I decided to post some of my images using one of the excellent modules in Startools, Spatially Variant PSF Deconvolution or SV Decon for short.

See link to Startools Spatially Variant Deconvolution module for an insight into this unique powerful Deconvolution tool.
https://www.startools.org/modules/sv-decon


Ive presented 3 different data sets ( celestial objects) from 2 different imaging sites and showed Before and After images using SV Decon
All images presented in Synthetic Luminance rather than Color to allow easier comparative analysis.

M16 Eagle Nebula
Bortle 7/8 skies
Average seeing conditions
6” f6 GSO Newtonian Reflector
Image Scale 0.86 arc sec per pixel
EQ6-R Pro mount
ZWO2600MC cooled to -10C , Gain 100
Optolong L Extreme OSC filter
2 hours of data ( 150 sec subs )
PHD2 Multistar guiding
Dithered every sub
Flats and Bias
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.8

NGC 2070 Tarantula Nebula
Bortle 7/8 skies
Average seeing conditions
6” f6 GSO Newtonian Reflector
Image Scale 0.86 arc sec per pixel
EQ6-R Pro mount
ZWO2600MC cooled to -10C , Gain 100
Antlia ALPT OSC filter
6 hours of data ( 180sec subs )
PHD2 Multistar guiding
Dithered every sub
Flats and Bias
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.8

NGC 2359 Thor’s Helmet Nebula
Bortle 3/4 skies
Poor to Average seeing conditions
10” f5 Carbon Fibre Newtonian
Reflector
Image Scale 0.62 arc sec per pixel
EQ8-R Pro mount
ZWO2600MC cooled to -10C , Gain 100
Antlia ALPT OSC filter
4 hours of data ( 180sec subs )
PHD2 Multistar guiding
Dithered every sub
Flats and Bias
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools V1.8

Each image was processed in Startools v1.8 as default Synthetic Luminance using mainly default settings in each module ( post final Auto stretch) with some minor tweaks.

SV Decon also was processed generally under default settings ( 10 to 12 x iterations) using between 12 and 16 sample Stars across each image which is very conservative.This module is incredibly powerful so the quality and quantity of your Star samples allows you to push a little further


Auto Stretch for inspection of data
Bin 71%
Crop
Wipe ( Narrowband preset )
Final Auto Stretch
Contrast
HDR
Sharpen
SV Decon ( After only )
Final Noise reduction
Save as jpeg

I chose lower quality data sets to demonstrate that SV Decon works extremely well with all types of data. Obviously higher quality low noise data will produce improved outcomes with SV Decon.

Startools version 1.9 is currently being developed and tested with some exciting new and improved features for SV Decon.

Comments Welcome
Thanks

PS: I have an Astrobin account now but it only allows 1 image uploads and I didn’t want to post 6 x Astrobin links to view all the before and after Images at full resolution

[gregbradley]

That seems to work fabulously.

Greg.

[croweater]

Startools just keeps getting better and better Martin. Not a lot of people seem to use it on this site. I dont get that as it seems so much easier to use and less time consuming than most of the other alternatives. It also does a great job. Thanks for the demo shots.
Cheers, Richard

[AdamJL]

I used to use it. It was my first foray into astro-editing. But I just have never been a fan of the StarTools colour output and control options for it. I think it's the weakest part of the software, which is a shame, because the rest is very good. Although the wipe module did my head in for ages.

thanks for the comparisons, Martin. Indeed, this seems like it's done a very good job. Probably better than BlurX as well, with no "ethical" issues around Machine Learning...

[Startrek]

Thanks Greg,
Yes it works beautifully

Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Richard,

Yes not too many ST users on IIS
Most folk have issues with the Colour module , I don’t
To me , Colour is secondary to signal fidelity and resolution and ST certainly does a great job as it tracks your data from start to finish, it knows exactly where you are , what your doing and where you’ve come from.

Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks
I’m only interested in true signal evolution processing where each pixel is tracked from start to finish
Deep fake has its place but IMO not in Astro processing

Cheers
Martin

NB: Wipe has come a long way from a few years ago . Version 1.9 will even be better

[Dave882]

Nice comparison Martin. Looks to be very effective. Is this a new feature?

[Startrek]

Thanks Dave,
Startools has always had Deconvolution since inception but the Spatially Variant Point Spread Function method using the Stellar profiles of sampled stars was introduced late 2021 as development testing and formalised in version 1.8 early 2022 , so it’s 12 months old now.
This SV Decon method in Startools is unique

Martin

[Ant0nio]

Hi Martin, thanks for posting this. Startools was one of the first software packages I purchased starting out but I haven't used it for ages now, clearly it's progressed quite a bit & this particular module seems like a good reason to revisit.
I don't have PI so BlurXterminator is not an option. Keep up the good work with your imaging, for someone who once said "I'll always belong in the beginners forum" you've certainly proved yourself wrong :).

Cheers,
Tony

[Retrograde]

Very interesting Martin.

Startools certainly appears to have a number of useful features. I currently do all my processing in PS but have been thinking about investing in Startools to complement it for a while.

[Startrek]

Thanks Tony,
Like I’ve said before I’m still a beginner after only 5 years or so ( and still only using a OSC )
There’s folk here who have 20+ years under their belt , now that’s experience
Unfortunately at 63 as a late starter I don’t have 20+ years available to me but the hobby is so incredibly enjoyable and rewarding, time doesn’t matter too much I suppose.
Yes Startools has developed mainly in the last 2 or 3 years into an exciting new high performance Astro post processing tool which yields excellent results. It’s very different from traditional post processing so changing from traditional to ST is a bit more challenging than starting out from scratch like I did nearly 6 years ago

Cheers
Martin

[Startrek]

Thanks Pete,
Startools has come along way since the early days and is pushing boundaries in Astro post processing
Completely different from the traditional post processing of Pi , PS and others
Version 1.9 is nearly complete so looking forward to using it soon

Cheers
Martin