Stacking images

[Hypnotist]

Since I am just getting used to the principles of astrophotography, do all my questions have been answered. One question that's really been bugging me is, how the stacking of images works and what it actually causes the many pictures to become?! :question:
thanks!

[p1taylor]

I have not been at imaging to long, but as far as I know stacking reduces noise and gives more detail to image.

peter

[Paul Haese]

Bart,

Digital imaging is all about signal to noise ratio. Signal is the detail or features of an object and noise is random. When you stack images you increase the signal and reduce noise. Signal has a logarithmic function in stacking where it becomes brighter and more defined by stacking 16 or more subs and noise is reduced by the same function. The object being that noise is totally reduced and detail is greatly enhanced.

Hope that makes sense.