imaging over multiple nights with a portable setup

[squreshi786]

I don't have a fixed setup and some time have to do imaging over multiple nights. The issue is if I have one nights calibration frames that go with one set of lights than another completely different set from another night and want to integrate all the lights with corresponding calibration frames, how should I process them in pixinsight. I currently run the preprocessing script, Is this the best tool to do this, Please advise.

Thanks

[GJL]

From each setup, make the corresponding master lights with bias, darks and flats, if necessary even the lights every night. Then you can register the masters with StarAlignment and integrate again. With the resulting image you can then start the actual editing.
BPP is okay, you also can use the tools summarized here individually, if you already have advanced skills.

Gerhard

[ngc1535]

From each setup, make the corresponding master lights with bias, darks and flats, if necessary even the lights every night. Then you can register the masters with StarAlignment and integrate again. With the resulting image you can then start the actual editing.
BPP is okay, you also can use the tools summarized here individually, if you already have advanced skills.

Gerhard

Hmm...
I am not certain I agree with the above- and I would be interested to know when it is appropriate. Why not calibrate (only in BPP) groups of images with matching calibration data (outputting them to the same place) and then simply align and integrate the frames as a group from that point? The average of averages seems fraught with some issues in terms of proper weighting. Also the larger number of files as a single group will likely yield better rejection statistically.


-adam

[John_Gill]

Hi,

Calibrate/Integrate  the Bias, Darks, and Flats into Masters for each session.  Next the Lights for each session.  My workflow for a DSLR is as follows:
Image Calibration
Cosmetic Correction
Debayer
SubFrame Selector

Now you have clean lights for each session that have had Bias, Darks and Flats applied.
Then onto StarAlignment for all Debayered images from each session
Local Normalization (Optional)
Image Integration
Drizzle Integration (Optional)

You should now have a single integration image that you will further process as per normal.

Look up
John

[GJL]

Hi Adam
there you can be right, but it would be to try. I myself have never had such a situation. On the other hand, PixInsight is so diverse that it often offers several ways.

Gerhard