Problems stacking with Deepskystacker

[Poli_74]

I am trying to stack 500 frames taken from my Gstar camera, they were taken using an alt az configuration so there is rotation in the bmp image sequence. I have tried numerous techniques to stack with no success. The image is of M83 at X132 integration (b/w image-no colour).

Have tried the default stack option, have also tried a custom rectangular box option and the comet stacking option. The final stacked image is terrible as eveything is blurred with smudges and streaks.

Has anyone else got similar problems? Or should I buy a wedge to eliminate rotation?

This is a common problem with faint objects like galaxies. Have also tried Registax 5 with similar results.

Thanks

Emmanuel.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Emmanuel. Field rotation is always going to be a bit of a problem, so a wedge (or an EQ mount) will definitely help in the long run.

However I'm sure there are some programs that can cater for rotation when trying to stack images. Hopefully someone else will offer some suggestions.

[TheDecepticon]

You probably wont get a great result no matter what you do due to the rotation. You can stack manually in Photoshop but it is a bit long winded. You need a program that can align the images first, then stack them. I use MaxIm, that may work for you. You might be able to find an unregistered trial version on the net that would let you process, but not too sure how easy that would be.

[TheDecepticon]

What about the mosaic stack option on DSS? Is it available?

[Harpspitfire]

i dont have alot of experience, but thats sounds like an awful lot of images for DSS to stack, also- is your computer up for the task?

[Astrobserver99 (Rob)]

Nebulosity has a de-rotation stacking feature. Selection translation and rotation in the the stacking/align option. Start with only a frames. I have never used it though, as I have an EQ mount. There is a free trial version.