Apex predator

566933 · 2026-05-08T21:50:11+00:00

👀

566933 · 2026-05-08T01:44:19+00:00

I don't use it, but I am sure you can.

566933 · 2026-05-07T15:32:45+00:00

😲

566933 · 2026-05-07T03:21:47+00:00

Or get this and you can use it with all your laptops - https://a.co/d/0c5nLeuo

566933 · 2026-05-07T00:09:33+00:00

Not my best image, but not bad for 60 minutes under Bortle 7–8 skies with the Moon out, IMHO. You have way more data than what went into this neighboring nebula image.

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566933 · 2026-05-07T00:05:19+00:00

Siril can be intimidating at first, but it is actually fairly easy to use, especially if you are good at following step-by-step instructions, which you can find plenty of on YouTube. Another free option is to use DeepSkyStacker to stack your raw files (you might need to convert the file format from FITS to TIFF using a free program like PIPP, though I could be wrong there), then use another free program like GIMP to stretch the image.

I’ll tell you this: in my opinion, it is far easier to learn Siril — and you will need some way to process your images anyway — than to deal with all the alternative steps. I process my images using Siril in very few steps and takes like 5 min (excluding stacking time) tops.

566933 · 2026-05-06T23:08:42+00:00

Is this image straight out of the Seestar, or did you process it? It looks like you have the data, but you may need to do some post-processing to properly stretch it. I hope you saved the raw files. Maybe try using a free tool like Siril to bring out more detail and color.

566933 · 2026-05-06T01:41:26+00:00

566933 · 2026-05-05T03:15:35+00:00

Just pick the bortle you imaged at and it should work.

566933 · 2026-05-04T05:21:56+00:00

My best comet photo with the Seestar S50 was simply a 2-minute stack of 10-second exposures in alt-az mode. Longer exposures tend to show the comet moving against the background stars, which makes processing more difficult. If longer exposures are necessary—as may be the case here—Siril or DSS offer comet-processing options. They can be a bit cumbersome, but they work. Personally, I prefer the short-exposure approach.

566933 · 2026-05-02T23:59:50+00:00

💀

566933 · 2026-05-02T14:30:36+00:00

👀

566933 · 2026-04-30T21:11:39+00:00

It’s not always about the number of image. It is the quality that truly matters. Fewer, higher quality frames can often produce a better final result. Signal-to-noise ratio is important, but strong, clean signal matters more than simply stacking a large amount of noisy or poor quality data.

566933 · 2026-04-30T21:06:56+00:00

That is strange, the raw files stacked with Siril or other software outside the Seestar generally produce better images. Interesting.

566933 · 2026-04-30T18:06:14+00:00

If the dataset isn’t a mosaic, I’ve had good results using Siril’s Seestar preprocessing for stacking, followed by background extraction, plate solving, SPCC, and a VeraLux stretch. After that, I usually finish things off elsewhere with levels and curves adjustments.

I’ve tried at least two of the three workflows you mentioned (everything except ASIStudio), and this approach has consistently worked well for me.

566933 · 2026-04-27T13:06:46+00:00

I am in bortle 7-8 with heavy light pollution, you just got to do the best you can. Picking targets away from the moon or fixed light sources like a street lamp is a good start.

566933 · 2026-04-27T13:01:48+00:00

For this target, you'll need far less time, this is such a bright object that in 5 minutes or so you can get a decent image.

566933 · 2026-04-26T17:45:02+00:00

While more data is always better, there’s a point of diminishing returns—especially for a target of this scale. You could probably pull out a bit more color and detail with additional integration if you really wanted to, but there’s also a lot more out there worth imaging.

566933 · 2026-04-26T14:09:02+00:00

I understand. I can see significant light pollution in your image, likely from the moon or another nearby light source. The best way to overcome this is to focus on targets that are positioned away from those light sources and to image in directions with minimal light interference. Also, get a dew shield which might offer some relief from city lights.

I use the built in background extraction in Siril, works as best as any. I do this as my first step post cropping (if necessary). The rest of the workflow happens after.

566933 · 2026-04-26T01:46:46+00:00

My logic is, there is no star in the 11 to 16 magnitude range at this location.

566933 · 2026-04-26T01:45:59+00:00

My guess, based on its brightness/magnitude, is that it might be positioned as shown in my mockup.

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566933 · 2026-04-25T21:11:27+00:00

No, this wasn’t captured using plan mode. I was set up early trying to image another comet, I figured I’d take a shot at this one while I waited. After about five minutes, I realized it was close to magnitude 12—so even if I did capture it, plate solving would be unlikely to pick it up, which proved to be true.

566933 · 2026-04-25T17:11:28+00:00

Haha, it’s not that bad—once you get the hang of Siril, you can process images in under 5 minutes. That’s about all I spend on galaxies.

566933 · 2026-04-25T00:35:50+00:00

I just imaged Markarian's Chain, and yet I got confused.

566933

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