Pix Insight
A New User's Quick Start Experience
My Image Processing Workflow

Over the years I've adjusted my imaging workflow as I learn more and as more software is developed. As of this writing, the software developers and those helping add further modules to the ever evolving Pix Insight, there has been some movement to add camera control for acquiring data.

My imaging system consists of an Astro Physics AP1200GTO mount, an Optical Guidance Systems 12.5" f/9 RC telescope, SBIG ST10XME with a CFW8 filter system and AO8 adaptive optics unit and a Pyxis 3" rotator. There is also a Takahashi FSQ-106 refractor for wide field imaging.

As of now, I use ACP for automating data collection. ACP uses MaxImDl for camera control. The plans are created using ACP Planner, executed using ACP. My observatory is automated using Foster's System observatory controller. ACP uses the Foster's system software to open/close the roll off roof and weather safety scripts if the Boltwood Cloud Senor detects rain.

Hardware aside, the imaging process proceeds as follows: ACP executes the image plan, MaxIm collects the data and the data is automatically saved in a folder named using the date of the acquired data such as 20110211 being 02/11/2011. The data is calibrated using master darks and flats in MaxImDl and saved in a new sub-folder to preserve the raw data. Then the following happens:

Open Pix Insight:

• Use the star alignment process to register the images.

• Save to a new sub-folder

• Use the Image Integration process to create the master image, save

• If RGB images repeat the above for each filter then use LRGB Combine process to create the RGB image and the continue below after saving the resulting RGB image

• Use the Dynamic Crop process to crop the image, save

• Use the Dynamic Background Extraction Transformation process to remove any background gradients, save

• Use the Histogram Transformation process to bring out the dynamic range, save

• Create a star mask, apply mask, invert and save mask

• With mask applied, use HDRWavelets, save

• With the mask still applied, do a Deconvolution using Regular Lucy Richardson, save

• Use the Background Neutralization process to balance color in the RGB image, save

• Due to my RGB being 2x2 binned and the luminance being 1x1 binned, use the Dynamic Align process to align the RGB with the luminance image.

• Use the LRGB Combine process to combine the RGB and Luminance, save

• Use the Dynamic Crop process to crop the LRGB image if necessary, save

• Use the Curves process to saturate the color if necessary, save

• Use the SCNR process to get rid of any green bias, save

• Create the JPGs for the website and upload the images to site